One Man's Web

As a recently retired Minister of almost 30 years since Ordination I thank God that I am still learning and still can be challenged by what others like Andrew have to say. I have long felt very uneasy about the God of power. The little ditty "My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do! Boom boom!" Boom boom indeed. These days I want to say, "Well, why doesn't he?" Some decades ago I read Rabbi Kuschner's popular book "Why do bad things happen to good people?" (for those who may not have read it he gives an extended exegisis of the Book of Job as his response to the death of his son at age 14 to progeria - rapid aging. His son died with a bodily age of 98.) My memory at this distance is his answer to the question "Which God do I choose? - A God of Power who could act to save my son but chooses not to or a God of Love who wanted to save my son but lacked the power?" Rabbi Kuschner's choice was the second God. He concludes his book with the acknowledgement that he has learned much by the process of writing this book - but he would give it all up if he could have his son back! I have found this choice powerful and comforting when confronted by the question "If God is all powerful then why doesn't he?" Thank you Andrew.