Comments on: Good News in the Diner

By: John

John — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:45:14 +0000

DrNick,
I am sorry to hear about your friend’s experience. What some do “in the name of comfort” is truly sad. I am shocked (and a little pleased) by your RAF friend’s left hook
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Peace.

By: John

John — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:42:42 +0000

Subversive Influence,
Thanks for the link. I appreciate it.
Peace.

By: DrNick

DrNick — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:40:59 +0000

Sadly something like that actually happened to my friend… His son died shortly after birth and, whilst my friend was still in the room with his son’s body, his pastor talked about it being all in God’s plan and all that. Anyway my friend is an ex-RAF man and turned and flattened the minister with a left hook…

The thing with cold hard truth statements like those relating to God’s will/sovereignty, is although they may be true, there are times when they should not be said, and thats the essense of wisdom I think…

By: Random Acts of Linkage #71 : Subversive Influence

Random Acts of Linkage #71 : Subversive Influence — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:16:11 +0000

[...] Good News in the Diner John Frye writes a bit of fiction — or is it? I was wincing through much of the piece. [...]

By: John

John — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:02:48 +0000

Mark R,
Paul allowed the Thessalonians to grieve the death of loved ones–so he knew that death was still a human tragedy. Yet, he encouraged grief with hope in view of the resurrection of the dead in Christ. So your being pulled in two directions (tension) is the human experience regarding death.

By: Mark R

Mark R — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:03:30 +0000

Why do we look at death so? How come it’s a time of sadness? How come it’s a time of pain? - I’m thinking, should this be so? Do we need to change as Christians our understanding of death? - death is not the end but the beginning. The Early Church Father’s view of death was a lot different than ours today. Am “I” sincere in “My” belief that there is life after death? - let my behaviour reflect that belief. Once again I thankyou for this post.

I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing; but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive. Apostle Paul.

By: John

John — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:01:01 +0000

Tom,
I am sorry for your loss. Give my best to your wife. USAmerican evangelical piety has created, sadly, an army of well-meaning “Job’s friends” who have to offer comfort from a warped view of God’s “control” of all things. Like you know, the reality of God’s presence in pain is more comforting than any alleged “reasons” why things happen. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.

By: John

John — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:54:58 +0000

Duane,
At a more serious level we could say the humorous Calvinistic response reflects sheer fatalism. Classical deerminism requires a divided mind—part of the brain holds to divine fatalism (the all inclusive decree of God) and the other part tries to live as a true (free) human being.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:45:00 +0000

John,
I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of weeks now and I really enjoy it.
Your story touches close to home. My wife and I lost a child in a similar way years ago and some well-meaning friends made similar statements. Why do we feel the need to explain God?
Job’s friends were doing a wonderful thing until they started to talk.
Tom

By: Duane

Duane — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:31:09 +0000

Like the Calvinist who, after falling down the stairs, gets up and brushing himself off says, “Well, I am glad we got that over with.”

Well said, John. Brings to mind the many times I wish I had a pot of hot coffee handy!