As has been stated Job is an epic poem and we should not read too much into the Lord needing to give permission to satan to deal with Job. Job was righteous before the Lord and considered so by the Lord Himself. But that does not mean Job was perfect or sinless. It has been suggested that there was a flaw in Job’s relationship with the Lord that allowed satan access to him. Consider a few facts scripture gives us: a) God had put a hedge arround Job which protected him from Satan b)Jesus said satan was comming against Him but had ‘nothing in Him. c)This was not completly true of Job as he said “the thing i have feared has come upon me. While scripture links the fearfull with the unbeliving and tells us that those who fear are not perfected in love. Therefore it is suggested that there was a gap in Job’s spiritual defences that allowed satan access to aflict him.
The leasson of the book of Job seems to be to teach us that things are more involved and than our theology might consider. There was a lot of stuff happening behind the sceans on the part of the Lord and satan and much that might baffle Job. He new he was basically righteous before the Lord but wrongly assumed this should guarantee his well being on earth (bit of a prosperity gospel). He resisted his friends condemnation and was sure of the final outcome in the ressurection. That Job had not sinned with his words does not mean that he was not mistaken at times. It means that in the midst of his mystery why all this was happening to him, he did not blame the Lord or curse him as his wife encouraged. He tried ti reason and argue it out with God as a man to a man. When he was confronted by the Lord he realised that things were more complex than he had immagined. He was caught up in a cosmic spiritual war and had actually become as it part of the battle ground.

The book of Job begins by saying that Satan and his angels presented themselves before the Lord. I would guess that the rest of the time when they are not presenting themselves before the Lord that Satan goes behind Gods back to do evil.

the bridge collapse is not part of God’s will and that is all that Boyd is saying. Compatibalism is flawed in so many ways that this is certainly not the place to point out all the reasons. i think we need to keep a more open mind about the entirety of Scripture rather than focusing on Pauline theology.

See here: http://www.dennyburk.com/?p=864.

Thanks,
Denny

1. Do you have a response after Boyd’s response? It will be extremely interested to hear your perspective. If you are not going to come in agreement concerning the notion of the devil not being the boss of this evil world, then I would expect you to defend and clearly illustrate an answer that aims at the tensions involved with the problem of evil question. To be frank, I am tired of answering the problem of evil question of: How can an all-loving, all-sovereign God allow evil in the world? To provide judgment on the un-righteousness is an answer that does not reflect the character of God: who hung with sinners, who fed the hungry, and who got mad at the religious laws. If not the devil, then who?

2. How do you interpret Luke 4.1-14, especially verse 6, Ephesians 6, 1 Peter 5, and Revelation 12.9?

3. Do you think God controls your every move? From what socks you are going to wear; to who you are going to marry; and to what you are going to eat for lunch tomorrow?
Does God really control your every move?

4. What is your perspective on spiritual warfare?

Thanks Jeremy.

Before I engage in this conversation it is imperative I get clear where you are coming from.

Also, I really applaud you for asking the questions you did in light of the narrative of Job.

Denny – though Jesus did not stop the death of Lazarus, he certainly did not kill Lazarus. But according to your theodicy this is what we must believe.

I am glad you brought this up because this verse illustrates my point perfectly. “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Jesus will bring glory out of this tragedy, He did not will it to carry out the Father’s perfect will.

It seems that one of our issues is a very sharp contrast in hermeneutics. Clealry we do not see eye to eye on this, but I thank you very much for taking the time to interact with me. I am an undergrad bible college student and I always appreciate a respectful debate.

Thanks and God bless you.

Luke