I’m writing in response to Jake Hjorth’s letter in the April 26 News- Herald. My intention is not to enter into a debate over what the Bible says, or what we think the Bible says, but to suggest consideration of an alternative perspective of the Bible narrative that focuses on a “bigger picture” scenario that has been largely overlooked throughout most of Christian history. This could be called the “Cosmic Conflict” view that asks the questions: What is God like? Why are we here? Why is there suffering? And then answers these types of questions in a way that vindicates God’s character, and his dealing with mankind.
Bible believers must admit that scripture is full of accounts of an apparently angry, vindictive and controlling God – at least on the surface, but is that what God is really like? Or did Jesus correctly reveal God to us during his 3½-year ministry?
For those who are disturbed by the Old Testament imagery and don’t know how to respond to it, I recommend the website http:// godscharacter.com. It is a ministry outreach that does an excellent job of articulating the Cosmic Conflict view of God and human interaction, and in the process presents a clear picture of God who is always loving, merciful and other centered.
Those who are struggling with conflicting views of God will find the website very encouraging. There is a lot of information available including articles and lectures that can be downloaded at no cost. The Good News Tours presentations deal largely with biblical “hard questions.”
Jay Schulberg
Grand Marais
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