How the Christian God is Compatible with Eternal Damnation
Bradley McLain
Mr. John Rauh
AP English Language and Composition
19 April 2014
On the Superlatives of God Of all the characteristics applied to God by the Christian faith, the superlatives are both the most important and most difficult to comprehend. Typically, amongst Christians, God is described as omnipotent, omniscient, omni-benevolent, and omni-just. These descriptions work in conjunction with each other to create the supreme and infinite nature that is the God of the Christian faith. Such concepts as Hell epitomize this as they act as vehicles to demonstrate the delicate balance of pre-determinism and free will. This balance makes it onerous to determine who is responsible for any given action. Within Christian thought an individual is typically blamed for his or her own damnation. Despite all of God’s superlative descriptions, He cannot be held guilty for any action due to his perfect nature, yet his omnipotence and omniscience seems to necessitate that blame be transferred to Him. When this situation is examined in light of all of His qualities, it becomes clear that the Christian God would not be responsible for any human’s damnation yet is simultaneously in complete control of everything. Inasmuch as God is supreme to any other being, if it is impossible for blame to be attributed to Him, then it also must be impossible for any other being to be held responsible for any other action that someone else commits. As a result of this, people must take responsibility for themselves in order for society to be able to move forward.
1. Perfect Justice and Omni-benevolence Within the Christian faith, God is frequently seen as being the perfect judge, not capable of making a single unjust decision or decree. As such any trespass must be corrected according to His holy justice. Since the “wages of sin is death” (King James Version, Romans 6.23) it would follow that all sin must be subjected to the judgment of God. Also implicit in the just nature
Mr. John Rauh
AP English Language and Composition
19 April 2014
On the Superlatives of God Of all the characteristics applied to God by the Christian faith, the superlatives are both the most important and most difficult to comprehend. Typically, amongst Christians, God is described as omnipotent, omniscient, omni-benevolent, and omni-just. These descriptions work in conjunction with each other to create the supreme and infinite nature that is the God of the Christian faith. Such concepts as Hell epitomize this as they act as vehicles to demonstrate the delicate balance of pre-determinism and free will. This balance makes it onerous to determine who is responsible for any given action. Within Christian thought an individual is typically blamed for his or her own damnation. Despite all of God’s superlative descriptions, He cannot be held guilty for any action due to his perfect nature, yet his omnipotence and omniscience seems to necessitate that blame be transferred to Him. When this situation is examined in light of all of His qualities, it becomes clear that the Christian God would not be responsible for any human’s damnation yet is simultaneously in complete control of everything. Inasmuch as God is supreme to any other being, if it is impossible for blame to be attributed to Him, then it also must be impossible for any other being to be held responsible for any other action that someone else commits. As a result of this, people must take responsibility for themselves in order for society to be able to move forward.
1. Perfect Justice and Omni-benevolence Within the Christian faith, God is frequently seen as being the perfect judge, not capable of making a single unjust decision or decree. As such any trespass must be corrected according to His holy justice. Since the “wages of sin is death” (King James Version, Romans 6.23) it would follow that all sin must be subjected to the judgment of God. Also implicit in the just nature