IS GOD LOVE?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 77, 10 March 1931, Page 7

IS GOD LOVE?

1 (To tho Editor.) Sir.— " T *- '-s To put briefly the issue of the present controversy now dm wing to a close, your correspondent “Puzzled” banks his faith in human reason as the highest tribunal in the search for the panacea for all human problems. It is quite obvious that he proposes to find this solution in some way (not defined), independent of, and in opposition to the Bible. This calls for serious thought. One wonders if your correspondent has, in the tiniest degree, ever realised the magnitude of the * considerations which confront him. The question which prompted (his discourse: how to explain and meet the increasing earthquake problem, with its aftermath of suffering and distress, is one that involves more than the fixed law of gravitation as a cause, and the obvious “build wisely” as a safety policy, when we consider the titanic hidden forces beyond human control. Appalling as : the late experience has heen.it is but a detail of what besets the human race in its present condition. Who can ignore the grave problems which perplex and harass every Government in the world, in their Internal troubles, and also in the international aspects of distrust, covetousness and evil propaganda, with scientists straining every nerve in their endeavour to discover more effective means of destroying one’s neighbour? And while this is inpiogress, can man arrest the everincreasing social problems, and those of disease and death? These problems are a reality, ever with us, and cannot be ignored or brushed aside. It is not at all reassuring when your correspondent makes the bare statement that something will he done by his “wonderful biped.” ‘ Puzzled” cannot reconcile the fact of this evil and distress which obtains with the non-existpnee of that state ol love he talks about. All the “biped’s” increasing knowledge and observation is only in relation to agelong existing phenomena, and manifestly docs not help him to govern or dispel his troubles. Verily “Puzzled” has selected an appropriate pen-name, for he ever will he, till, with humility, he hows before the revealed Word of the Creator. Now, Sir, 1 would again submit to his earnest consideration the fact that the Bible alone gives an adequate explanation, and provides for a definite and beneficient solution to all these problems. There, peace, prosperity, righteousness and joy in never-ending life, is exhibited as the final blessing. The adversity of the present is shown to he but a means to this glorious end. But here onr friend object* that the God of the -jiible is not a God of omnipotence aod love, seeing He allows a state of evil to obtain. This state of evil, however, is a fact and cannot be explained away by any human reasoning. Would it not be wise to accept the fact as it stands, as evidence that the plan adopted is the best for the end in view? The Bible shows that the attainment of this end involves the development of character on the basis of free agency, and necessitates the subject being placed in evil circumstances. The requirement of obedience on the part of the individual to his Creator is most reasonable. We have it exemplified on a | lower scale in onr own code of laws, I and in the case of a wise father with , Ills child. Should persistent disloyalty bring evil upon the subject, wc do not therefore declare the law or the parent necessarily unjust. On the other hand, if in the midst of adversity or temptation, the subject remains obedient and faithful, such a result is duly recognised if the authority he just. That the God of the Bible demands onr attention is but reasonable. The claims of the Bible call for its earnest study. Its reliability is not shaken in the least by statements which are intended to show that it is responsible for Crusades, Inquisition, etc. Tho rules laid down, for a true Christian life positively forbid anything of the kind. If the so-called Christian is disloyal to these requirements the responsibility lies solely at his door. Just consider. If the command given to the would-be true Christian were faithfully pul into practise there would he no war, no lying, stealing, debauchery, or vice of any kind. That is, of course, if the community comprised all loyal Christians. And the conclusion would he that a law that produced such results was the conception only of a God of love. He moreover, gives us cause for placing every confidence in His Bible, in that its prophecies foretell with the most wonderful exactitude the state of things obtaining in our midst —social, political and national. Who but the supreme could do this? The one line of proof previously suggest-ed-—that relating to the miracle of (he Jewish race —is a typical example which can bo tested by anyone with access to the Scriptures, history and the daily Press. We follow their dispersion among every nation on earth; their status among these nations as a “proverb” and a “byword”; their miraculous survival through persecution, pale and pogrom; and now we see the evidence of rehabilitation in their original land (we may note, too, that this land is that which, geographically considered, is declared by great statesmen and military men, as the most important on earth). This wonder of preservation and exact fulfilment of Bible prophecy can-I rot. he explained otherwise than as j the work of the God of the Bible, ami in itself establishes His Supremacy. With many equally convincing fulfilments of what was so long ago foretold, Ave have a most, reliable guarantee that Ho will shortly nrnvide the solution of all human problems, and fill the earth with His glory in the establishment therein of a Divine Kingdom which will know no j end. Even friend “Puzzled” should j discover a God of love in the appoint- i ment of the Universal King of whom | it is declared that, having dominion j over the whole earth, “He shall judge i the poor of the people; He shall save | the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. He i shall deliver the needy when ho crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper.” In concluding, 1 desire to voice a humble appreciation, Sir, of your courtesy and patience. I am, etc., P.A.