Well-intentioned but false theology

OK, for today's reading, we have the dichotomy between Eliphaz's argument that, basically, good things happen to good people- and Job's complaint about why bad things don't happen to bad people. We know neither of these positions is theologically accurate, but they are widely held nonetheless. Eliphaz's contention is that one must "submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you" and "you will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you." This sounds like what we call the "prosperity gospel" which asserts that God wants His people to be happy, healthy, wealthy, successful, etc. and the absence of these characteristics indicates a lack of faith. But God is more concerned with our holiness than our happiness; and those of us who have known suffering can attest that it is the trials in our lives and not the blessings, that bring us closer to God. He has good reasons not to "bless" his children, for in times of testing, they can experience more growth in Him. And on a personal level, we all know wonderful, godly people who are not "blessed", as the world would view it. So this formula of "good people get good things", does not add up. Remember that underlying this train of thought is the notion that Job's own sins are responsible for his suffering; i.e. bad behavior equals bad circumstances.

Along these same lines is Job's frustration that God doesn't punish the wicked; "Why doesn't the Almighty bring the wicked to judgment?" It's difficult to see drugged out prostitutes have babies when our friends are infertile. Or to watch an honest businessman fail while his dishonest competitor succeeds. That is just our human nature that seeks fairness and justice. But if we really viewed ourselves in the proper light, we'd marvel at why anything good ever happens to us. What good do we really deserve? Nothing on earth is fair, and thank goodness it isn't or we'd all be in trouble. What we can count on though, is that at the end of every man's life, an accounting will be required. And those who do not have a Redeemer to bail them out of that tight spot, will pay eternally. We look at the "here and now", but God works in the "big picture" and that is the only perspective from which it all makes sense.


Tomorrow's reading: Job 26-29