Such a big topic, the book sounds really interesting.There is something inherently attractive about prosperity! I mean who doesn't want life to go well for them? I attended and loved (I'll add) a Pentecostal church where some people were very influenced by the word of faith movement, your words having the power of life and death. It turned out to be a terrible place to suffer though. There was no unexplainable suffering, no such thing as chance or mystery or part of the human experience. Oftentimes it was deemed a test of faith, oppression by the devil, or some sort of lack on our part. I think life being unexplainable can be terrifying for people that they cling to people who sound certain. The tension you speak about is the key issue. Not ignoring, denying or giving up but this is hard. Some suffering is preventable some is not. Trying to stay engaged is a challenge but necessary for really living life
Yes, I think you're right about "life being unexplainable can be terrifying for people." It reminds me of that saying about people thinking success is largely due to luck until they succeed, and then success is all about hard work. Maybe it all comes down to control and fear of the unknown.
Yes I think the idea that life is utter chaos is pretty disconcerting to most of us. We need a story to belong to, and believing it's all part of a great cosmic plan can bring comfort to some people.
Loved the article. I've never read Scott Samuelson, but his books sound very intriguing. And Seven Ways of Looking at Pointless Suffering was only 3 bucks on Kindle (at least in the US), so I grabbed it and will read it soon. Thank you!
Such a big topic, the book sounds really interesting.There is something inherently attractive about prosperity! I mean who doesn't want life to go well for them? I attended and loved (I'll add) a Pentecostal church where some people were very influenced by the word of faith movement, your words having the power of life and death. It turned out to be a terrible place to suffer though. There was no unexplainable suffering, no such thing as chance or mystery or part of the human experience. Oftentimes it was deemed a test of faith, oppression by the devil, or some sort of lack on our part. I think life being unexplainable can be terrifying for people that they cling to people who sound certain. The tension you speak about is the key issue. Not ignoring, denying or giving up but this is hard. Some suffering is preventable some is not. Trying to stay engaged is a challenge but necessary for really living life
Yes, I think you're right about "life being unexplainable can be terrifying for people." It reminds me of that saying about people thinking success is largely due to luck until they succeed, and then success is all about hard work. Maybe it all comes down to control and fear of the unknown.
Yes I think the idea that life is utter chaos is pretty disconcerting to most of us. We need a story to belong to, and believing it's all part of a great cosmic plan can bring comfort to some people.
Loved the article. I've never read Scott Samuelson, but his books sound very intriguing. And Seven Ways of Looking at Pointless Suffering was only 3 bucks on Kindle (at least in the US), so I grabbed it and will read it soon. Thank you!
Thanks, Chad! Hope you enjoy it.