Comments on: Theodicy and Me

By: Jim F.

Jim F. — Mon, 06 Sep 2004 02:09:34 +0000

Though not as eloquent as Gene’s essay–and not LDS–Paul Ricoeur’s essay, “Evil, A Challenge to Philosophy and Theology” (in Figuring the Sacred), is an important essay. Ricoeur’s argument is that evil is a challenge to thought that cannot be completely overcome, reminding us that the proper response to evil is not thought, but action, action immersed in mourning. In the end, he argues, “We believe in God in spite of evil.”

By: Ben Huff

Ben Huff — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 06:37:18 +0000

Actually, I'm happy to say that Element is still alive, though it was dormant for some time. It has been taken over as the journal of the Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology, with Brian Birch of UVSC as the new editor, and with a budget. It will be appearing both in print and online. I first heard Gene England's "Weeping God" piece in 1999, when he was very full of life, and no one dreamed he would be gone just two years later. But it is sobering that he wrote it then. Perhaps subconsciously he could sense it was time for him to prepare.

By: Ethesis (Stephen M)

Ethesis (Stephen M) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 03:31:35 +0000

Enoch’s talk with God about how the holy one can weep is a powerful portion of the Book of Moses.

By: Nathan Tolman

Nathan Tolman — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 02:44:00 +0000

Kristine –

I had much the same reaction. When I was talking about it with my wife at dinner I called the terrorists lang xing gou fei zeitu meaning a person completely devoid of any Humanity. I first thought of Cane slaying Abel, and if God could hear Abel’s blood screaming from the earth and took time to curse Cain (who sinned against a greater light than these terrorists) he will certainly pay attention to this.

In reading Helaman, I have noted the struggle against secret combinations. Are we engaged in something that is different than them, than that discussed in Helaman 11 and other places? There seems little difference between an enemy that will suddenly emerge from the wilderness and dispense destruction and what happened in Russia. I am comforted by Alma’s to Helaman saying the land is cursed against secret combinations. Indeed, if a terrorist cell or organization is not a secret combination, I do not know what is.

Nevertheless, we must remember to pray for our enemies, hoping they will put aside Terrorism and address their grievances in a way closer to Ghandi or ML King.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 01:30:38 +0000

As it turned out, I had discovered England’s article just before 9/11, and must have reread it three or four times afterward. The idea of the embodied, weeping, Mormon God certainly takes on a new complexity in the shadow of tragedy (and I don’t know the circumstances of England’s passing, but that piece had to have been among the last he wrote before his own death).

Incidentally, before it appeared in Dialogue it appeared online here, in the inaugural (and, it appears, final) issue of Element, if non-Dialoguers want to read it.

By: Kaimi

Kaimi — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 00:28:09 +0000

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