The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesiological Theology

August 13, 2012 by Jason Hood

Job

A few quotes on the book of Job:

In [Job] suffering is a basic reality rooted in a mystery.

Somehow, in God’s design, there is, within the boundaries of the cosmos, chaotic energy, which from the human perspective is mysterious, inexplicable, and traumatic; this chaos is hostile to life. For reasons unknown, God does not eliminate the chaos but sets boundaries to it.

Thus, God says to the sea, “You proud waves”—there’s arrogance and defiance in the imagery of the sea—“thus far and no farther!” Within the ordered universe of God, there is a place for floods, fires, and hurricanes, but they are always bounded.

Bruce Waltke, Old Testament Theology, 12.

When God does come to Job in the whirlwind, it is not to convince him that God really does have reasons (although it may, in fact, do this); it is instead to still the tempest in his soul, to quiet him, to restore his trust for God. The Lord gives Job a glimpse of his greatness, his beauty, his splendid goodness; the doubts and turmoil disappear and are replaced, once more, by love and trust.

Alvin Plantinga, Warranted Christian Belief, 497-8.

I can’t imagine how this makes sense, in a world where God is good; but I can imagine a world where it will all make sense.

Christopher J. H. Wright,  The God I Don’t Understand

We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

James 5:11 (NAS)

Categories: Bruce Waltke | Chris Wright | General | Jason Hood | suffering