/lit/ - Literature

>>14458082
The Book of Job doesn't resolve the problem of Evil because there is no evil to speak of in the story. There is simply a bet with a Devil figure who is little more than a caricature. Of course, the arguments of atheists are assumed to be predominant in these discussions, and perhaps even correct within their own formulation, but it is necessary to set these aside to see what lies beyond. Christians should also take a moment to consider how easily they are moved to reaction by such simple arguments.

The problem presented by the Book of Job is one of faith and piety, whether or not Job is pious because he has been blessed or he has been blessed because he is pious. At stake is an undermining of Job's faith. Interesting to note in this is the subject, the conflict of beings, and the order of appearance which is something of a Copernican revolution in how worldly and heavenly dominion are perceived. Authority is no longer assumed, but must be established by other means. Theological discussions rarely approach this difficulty, but this is the second bet or split that accompanies any paradoxical question.

When another sits at the table the original question must be abandoned. The Devil asks us instead, is piety instilled or blessings given? Or in other words, does God love his subjects to further his piety or are they pious in order to further his love? A trick in the spirit of Thrasymachus, and God is not prepared to answer.

The divine is thus forced to defend itself on another territory and instead of answering the Devil God turns to sophistry against humans. Evil is not the subject of the Book of Job, merely the bad.

>>11274100
Stop believing in teleology, it's dumb. Consider reading Lasch, Gray and Stuart Hampshire.

"As a liberal, I think I ought to expect to be found superficial by a large part of humanity, both at home and abroad. One needs to see that one’s own way of life and habits of speech and of thought not only seem wrong to large populations, but can be repugnant in very much the same way in which alien habits of eating, or alien sexual customs, can be repugnant."
(Hampshire)

Get used to it. People like you (and me) are an absolute minority, and always will be among tailless apes.

>>11276322

Stop taking Jordan Peterson seriously, it's an unbelievably moronic thing to do. Dostoevsky wasn't a pamphleteer, and shouldn't be read as one. I have nothing to recommend to you, it's already too late.

>>10010832
It is Dix. Goya is my favourite artist, it's good to see another fan.

>>9991871
>Saul Bellow
>Francisco Goya