Children Quote by William Sloane Coffin
““We are not slaves but children of our Father, free to do good, free to sin. So when in anguish over any human violence done to innocent victims, we ask of God, 'How could you let that happen?' it's well to remember that God at that very moment is asking the exact same question of us.””
About This Quote
Human suffering prompts divine questioning; responsibility lies with us as much as with God.
In simple terms: Divine accountability mirrors human moral duty.
Key Takeaway
We share God’s questioning of evil.
Themes
theodicy
responsibility
free will
suffering
faith
moral agency
Mood
reflective
somber
hopeful
Type
philosophical
spiritual
moral
When to use this quote
- grieving loss
- witnessing injustice
- contemplating evil
Key Concepts
theodicy
human agency
divine empathy
Practical Applications
- spiritual counseling
- ethical reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we act when faced with inexplicable suffering?
- What does it mean to share God’s questioning?
![“Learning, and especially unlearning, can take place only in the absence of defensiveness… [W]e can drop our defenses only when we love and are loved.” quote by William Sloane Coffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4c4/william-sloane-coffin-4839_defensiveness_learning-and-especially-unlearning-can-t_396751.jpg)
