Subject: Stumpped by my son |
Bible Note: Azure, Great questions. When Boyd uses the term "necessary", he is distinguishing it from the term "sufficient". In the parlance of logic, "necessary" means "must be at least", while "sufficient" means "is enough to establish". So, no, I don't mean that without evil, love is somehow a lesser possibility. Rather the contrary, for it is through love that we overcome evil, for love is the ultimate good and we are to "overcome evil with good" Romans 12:21. That is, the outcome of love is to restore a reality "without evil". The necessity of evil is not in evil per se, but rather the POSSIBILITY for evil. This allows for a reality in which there is no evil, yet the possibility for evil exists as an alternative to love, so the choice to love is not the only choice available, which would make it no choice at all, which would make it something other than love. Love is not love if it is coerced, or is the only option available. That love is chosen freely, often at great personal cost, is what makes it meaningful. And I agree, for those who choose to be obedient to God, to love is not optional, while the option lies in where we exercise that love. |