Point taken. Merton was a remarkable person and his message as to process vs results is spot-on. Nevertheless, it galls me that anyone credits God with love. I think he's monstrous. I'm intrigued as to the reasons you left the ministry.
As to the nature of God: my question to you is--Is s/he omnipotent? My bottom line is that if the answer is YES, s/he is monstrous for allowing evil. I don't buy the insipid free will bit--that aside, consider suffering due to "Acts of God," famine, illness, pain. How do you reconcile the preceding with a God of love--unless you believe s/he is NOT omnipotent.
Point taken. Merton was a remarkable person and his message as to process vs results is spot-on. Nevertheless, it galls me that anyone credits God with love. I think he's monstrous. I'm intrigued as to the reasons you left the ministry.
Your eloquent response merits publication.
As to the nature of God: my question to you is--Is s/he omnipotent? My bottom line is that if the answer is YES, s/he is monstrous for allowing evil. I don't buy the insipid free will bit--that aside, consider suffering due to "Acts of God," famine, illness, pain. How do you reconcile the preceding with a God of love--unless you believe s/he is NOT omnipotent.