The symbol of a drama, a symphony, or a dance is useful to…
““The symbol of a drama, a symphony, or a dance is useful to correct a certain absurdity which may arise if we talk too much of God planning and creating the world for good and then being frustrated by the free will of the creatures. This may raise the ridiculous idea that the Fall to God by surprise and upset His plan, or else – more ridiculous still – that God planned the whole thing for conditions which, He well knew, were never going to be realized. In fact, of course, God saw the crucifixion in the act of creating the first nebulae. The world is a dance in which good, descending from God, is disturbed by evil arising from the creatures, and the resulting conflict is resolved by God's own assumption of the suffering nature which evil produces.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Divine plan includes both good and evil; suffering is part of a larger cosmic dance resolved by divine sacrifice.
In simple terms: God’s plan mixes joy and suffering.
Key Takeaway
Accept suffering as part of spiritual growth.
Themes
theodicy
free will
divine mystery
redemption
cosmic order
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal loss
- ethical dilemmas
- theological study
Key Concepts
suffering
sacrifice
spiritual growth
philosophical debate
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this perspective affect your view of suffering?
- Can evil be reconciled with a loving deity?
A Different Perspective
Some find this view insufficient for real pain.