tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post5034071916439183624..comments2024-03-28T09:52:15.415-04:00Comments on Common Denominator: The Moral Value of PainKen Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-2748932907018945192016-10-16T21:12:33.235-04:002016-10-16T21:12:33.235-04:00Thanks for the insights (and sorry about the teeth...Thanks for the insights (and sorry about the teeth)!Ken Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-65122262308728966662016-10-16T21:02:39.070-04:002016-10-16T21:02:39.070-04:00Pain, like all imperfection associated with this w...Pain, like all imperfection associated with this world has to be first and foremost a consequence of the introduction of Sin into the world. Humans are not the only things that suffer pain, so does the animal world. <br /><br />Pain was not a part of God's perfect world in Eden. However, since sin became a reality, death became an intricate part of life following the Fall and associated with death comes the fallout of pain. Pain is inevitably associated first and foremost as a part of the dying process. <br /><br />One need not have contributed in any way to cause a painful death, death is just going to involve pain in some manner. In this vein one would have to acquiescence (sp?) that God has allowed pain to play a part of death and there is no escape rationally from the thought that God allowed, or instituted death should be attended with pain. Could it be that in many cases God uses this specific kind of pain as a cleansing agent bringing about a specific fulfillment of sanctification?<br /><br />If sin introduced pain into the dying process, did it have to be a part of life before death?<br /><br />Obviously many suffer needless pain, their sinful lifestyle lay behind the suffering. Many escape this kind of pain. Can God use such pain as a bit in the mouth steering one aright? I have to believe so, many have testified thar it was the suffering in their life that brought them to humbly seek God. I see God satisfying pain in this circumstance to bring about His will.<br /><br />But what about all the pain experienced by just about all of us through disease, accident, the fraility of the flesh when one cannot be blamed in any way for experiencing it.( i.e. cancer)<br /><br />We have only place to go for explanation that fits a theology of Sin. Pain became a part of the fallout from sin. Sin was not God's will. Calvin ism has done great harm on this score. But God would not override Adam,S free will and to be true to His nature cannot override the results of that sin.<br /><br />What He can do is provide grace and mercy and salvation which will eventually get us back to Eden and all cessation of pain as promised in Revelations.<br /><br />But in hell, pain will continue throughtout eternity. Again the fallout from sin. Very sobering thought.<br /><br />Do with these thoughts as you will. I had my upper teeth extracted this week and a denture plate installed. I am experiencing pain! Would like to take Adam aside and give him a piece of my mind. But then, I realize that Adam didn't cause what I am experiencing now. J. W. Watkinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-30139452806314123262016-10-15T20:05:13.004-04:002016-10-15T20:05:13.004-04:00Hmm. This one's worth chewing over, and digest...Hmm. This one's worth chewing over, and digesting carefully.Martin LaBarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14629053725732957599noreply@blogger.com