Suffering, Evil, and the Desires of the Heart (Eleonore Stump)

[@robbensprague2302]

The scriptures are one unified story that leads to Yahweh coming in flesh and must remain in that context.

[@josephcandito]

I would like to know how Eleonore would explain God’s directive to Abraham to kill his own son. Even though God’s angel intervenes and the typology references the crucifixion; why would God put Abraham though the entire ordeal. Is it justifiable as a test of faith? And how does it differ from John Cassian’s example that Eleonore finds abhorrent?

[@adamslaura768]

I am not by any means the scholar, but it seems to me that first, Cassians story was not that God asked for the test and sacrifice, but man. Also, as you have said, scripture contains that story as a foreshadowing of the sacrificed Jesus made on our behalf. Many things in Scripture happened once as a picture or promise or even symbolism of a greater metaphysical reality, as in the burning bush. Or in Gideon’s fleece, or many other things that only happened once and for very particular and specific reasons. My take away, which was a great awakening I think, is that religious traditions do not necessarily necessitate the way of God, but merely reflect that particular age of the churches understanding and interpretation of his Ways? I have also come to personally feel some of those paradoxical emotions over the church fathers and mothers. Like Augustine, or Francis, or Patrick. Many things they did well and some things~ not so much. Revealing the things they did not understand or misunderstood at the time. Sinners and saints we are. Both sacred AND sinful. I appreciate your question however and would love to see her response.

[@professor_earn]

She has a chapter on Abraham in her book 'Wandering in Darkness.' The command to sacrifice Isaac cannot be understood in isolation from the rest of the story of God and Abraham. The "test" was in part to see whether Abraham trusted in God when he sent Ishmael into the wilderness. Would Abraham treat Isaac the way he treated Ishmael? Does he have faith in God and in God's promises?