A good God?

Archibald MacLeish wrote a play called "J.B.". This is a modern interpretation of the book of Job.

In this book a phrase is repeated stating: "If God is God, then God is not good; If God is good, then God is not God; take the even, take the odd." (sic.)

When we speak about God, we tend to get caught-up in one of two mutually exclusive paradigms. The first makes God supreme, but fails to explain how God tolerates suffering. The other speaks of a God who is present, but fails to achieve perfect justice. I suppose one is pretty much a 15th century Catholic perspective (or even a perspective held by Plato), while the latter speaks of a liberation-theology deity.

To me, Christianity offers a third perspective in the belief of Divine incarnation. Passages like the raising of Lazarus are helpful in seeing the two natures of Christ (the God who is God and the God who is good).

But in my impatience I long to see the Kingdom NOW!

Theodicy creates interesting God-talk, especially in the light of the current middle-East crisis.

"If God is God, then God is not good;
If God is good, then God is not God;
take the even, take the odd."...