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Refining Fire
United Communities of Spirit
The presence of suffering and hardship in life cannot always be
explained on the basis of divine justice. Why, if God is just and
gracious, and the true teaching brings forth love and peace, do the
righteous seem to suffer about as much as the wicked? The problem of
theodicy, particularly when it concerns the problem of the righteous
sufferer, has occupied the minds of some of the greatest religious
thinkers. Passages relevant to the problem of theodicy are found
scattered throughout this anthology according to the various solutions
which are posited in scripture: e.g., the human condition is inevitably
Ill, pp. 379-85; people are deluded by Ignorance, pp. 395-402; infected by
Original Sin from a primordial Human Fall, pp. 422-34; fated to work out
accumulated Karma or Inherited Sin, pp. 694-702; or influenced by Demonic
Powers, pp. 435-44. One may have an Argument with God, pp. 782-86 that
such suffering is unjust, or empathize with God's own Grief, pp. 457-62.
Another way in which the suffering of the righteous is frequently
understood is as a means to spiritual advancement and hence a
manifestation of God's grace. Suffering tries and tests people, purifies
their faith, corrects their flaws, and refines their character. This
suffering is an expression of grace and love because once people have come
out of the refining fire and accepted correction, they will shine with a
tested and confirmed faith and a splendid character. Especially those
whom God wishes to entrust with a special responsibility, or who are
desirous of reaching the highest goal, will be most severely tested and
most thoroughly refined. The passages gathered below treat this gracious
side of suffering: the refining fire.
Interfaith passages at: http://origin.org/ucs/ws/theme076.cfm
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