Subject: God is not the author of evil. |
Bible Note: Hank, I am often glad that do have to try and figure out all the mysteries of God myself or even think that such a thing is possible. I am thankful for having authoritative teaching in such matters, even when that teacher admits that all mysteries cannot be fully explained or understod in all the details as if we were ourselves God. 600. "To God, all moments of time are present in their immediacy. When therefore he establishes his eternal plan of 'predestination', he includes in it each person's free response to his grace: 'In this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.'[Acts 4:27-28 ; cf. Ps 2:1-2 .] For the sake of accomplishing his plan of salvation, God permitted the acts that flowed from their blindness.[Cf. Mt 26:54 ; Jn 18:36 ; Jn 19:11 ; Acts 3:17-18 .] 'He died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures'" To view the context, please visit http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/creed6.html#REDEMPTIVE 1037. "God predestines no one to go to hell;[Cf. Council of Orange II (529): DS 397; Council of Trent (1547):1567.] for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want 'any to perish, but all to come to repentance':[2 Pet 3:9 .] Father, accept this offering from your whole family. Grant us your peace in this life, save us from final damnation, and count us among those you have chosen.[Roman Missal, EP I (Roman Canon) 88.]" To view the context, please visit http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/art12.html#HELL 412. "But why did God not prevent the first man from sinning? St. Leo the Great responds, 'Christ's inexpressible grace gave us blessings better than those the demon's envy had taken away.'[St. Leo the Great, Sermo 73, 4: PL 54, 396.] And St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, 'There is nothing to prevent human nature's being raised up to something greater, even after sin; God permits evil in order to draw forth some greater good. Thus St. Paul says, 'Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more'; and the Exsultet sings, 'O happy fault,. . . which gained for us so great a Redeemer!''[St. Thomas Aquinas, STh III, I, 3, ad 3; cf. Rom 5:20 .]" Emmaus |