Interpreting God's Pattern Recognition-Personal Narrative

Instead of looking at the world in a liberal and conservative belief people should view trusting that God will provide in a different aspect. Due to the Lord, Calvin states, “We are set free from anxiety and fear. (77)” Except the question that everyone is asking is why would God allow “bad” things to happen to innocent people? By the time that Darwin came around, providence was demolishing because it was not considered a topic of great value. To truly understand providence we need to not make up stories about why suffering happens, but try to understand it the best we can. We are not alone and should not let suffering be the last important thing remembered after a situation. Our lives have purpose but often times, “Our ordinary lives often
seem to lack direction or meaning. (80)” Many people have tried to interpret God’s stories to figure out provenience but often that leads to misinterpretation.
God is the “writer” of human history and the relationships that people share are real and proof that God is with us. God has worked in the past and is working in the presence because, “ Each person’s story remains important, but its importance is enhanced when it becomes a sign of God’s story that stretches from creation to consummation. (82)” This bold statement relates to Pattern Recognition within different parts of culture these patterns show that there are many ways to piece together different parts of history. People may never piece together history perfectly, and shouldn’t try, but be content with what information God gives us. Suffering, for example in terms of the Holocaust could be correlated to a bible story that, “Though it would not explain the suffering, would place the suffering in a narrative that would not render it hopeless. (84)” Relating stories to the stories in the Bible gives people hope because it helps them realize that there is much more ahead in their lives. Since we are part of God’s “story,” he gives our lives meaning and purpose and God doesn’t cause evil. Instead, God is good and, “Assures that evil cannot have the final word.
(86)”
From my experience, understanding suffering is probably one of the most difficult things to ask of someone who has been hurt. People have given me many answers as to why God allows suffering to happen and I have agreed with most of them but past understanding I don’t like suffering and I don’t think anyone does. I think it’s important that I don’t let suffering hold me down because it’s comforting to know that God has a plan for me. It’s comforting to know that God has already written my story and that he has been with humanity since the past and now to the very present and he knows what my life has in store. I trust him and I am glad to be in his hands where evil can’t get to me. Finishing, I don’t think that anything in my life can really be related to any stories in the Bible but knowing that people do and use them to find hope is very inspiring and I hope that they get the joy that they deserve.

Chapter 7
Instead, contrary to what most people think, faith does not guarantee anyone protection from evil things. “Jesus makes it clear that these sufferings and tragedies did not result from sin or lack of faith. (92)” People want to feel safe and if God can’t provide that feeling then people will wrongfully move on to the next best thing such as people with lots of money. Instead, God doesn’t interfere and change bad things to good, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t with us. People are wrong when they put goods before God and security cannot be the main goal because, “Being safe cannot take precedence over being faithful. (95)” And if something makes us unsafe people need to trust that God will provide. There are two major words that the author gives a meaningful definition to in this chapter and they are blocking and overaccepting. Blocking is God’s way of not intervening with suffering by fixing it, and overaccepting is a solution to the blocking by providing hope and redemption. An example of this is the story of Jesus being nailed to the cross. God didn’t stop Pilate from executing Jesus but in turn Jesus is resurrected, showing how God provides. When writing to Kate, Scott focuses on how the death of Ani is very sad and a part of God’s plan because God does not condone death, but doesn’t stop it from happening. While Ani is no longer in this world, “The last word is not death but resurrection. (98)” Jesus promises suffering in this world just as he had experienced but with God there is a way to overcome the suffering feel, “How God acts in the world.
(99)”
I am very glad to be in a relationship with a God who doesn’t judge how good I am of a Christian based on my actions. Reminding me how, even from a long time ago this idea was stressed by Martin Luther. Whether good or bad everyone sins or questions their faith and to know that I can be forgiven for those sins is important in realizing that God wants to provide just as much as we need his provision. People shouldn’t loose trust in God just because he doesn’t stop evil from happening because ever since I was a child my Mom told me that we aren’t God’s puppets. He rightfully allows us free will and with that comes a lot of complications. But learning from this book our God is one who does not let us suffer alone.

Chapter 8
Trusting in God provides many virtues that are needed in a world of draught and despair. If others act or seem different, people take it upon themselves to judge them and feel more at risk. Sometimes hospitality, which is the main topic of this chapter, is questioned, but, “If we are to follow Christ in this kind of atmosphere, it will take a dedicated effort to resist the habit of suspicion and name it as a false virtue. (103)” Hospitality can also be threatened when a community, such as a church, is so tight that outsiders feel unwelcomed or that they do not fit in. Often times, communities want new comers to have similar beliefs, values, and etc. to be included. Some churches are known to surrounding areas to find people that they think will fit into their church best. In acts 15 the church called its first council meeting in Jerusalem discussing if Gentiles have to become Jews first to considered Christians. The problem was, “God had clearly commanded a separation of Jew and Gentile in the Torah. (107)” The leader of the Jerusalem church viewed the passage as saying that Gentiles shouldn’t keep Torah or have to be circumcised to join the church. This is an example of how the church offered hospitality to people who were “different”. In a good way to help a church grow, “By welcoming strangers, however, the community’s identity is always being challenged and revised, if only slightly. (108)” The body “church” feeds off of the differences of its members. Hospitality is much more than a small conversation but rather, deep meaningful talks. After 9/11, a hard time to offer hospitality, the author’s family took in a foster child named Eli and then later adopted him.
It’s sad that in a world today with so much hate and despair that judgment is another thing that is added. Even though judging is a sin, everyone does it whether intentionally or not. I like how this chapter focuses on the act of hospitability and shows that how we perceive others is how Christ is shown through us. The whole “church community” proposition makes me think of groups in school. When an outsider tries to join the group they are judged before being “allowed” in. This is the sad, but true experience that most students face. But in a world that is already cruel, why do we fight cruelty with cruelty? As I have grown up, I like to be more hospitable and would rather have deep conversations with people than quick hellos.

Chapter 9
Jesus says to love our enemies and that peacemaking is, “At the heart of Jesus’s reconciling work. (118)” Peacemaking doesn’t mean being a “pushover” but, it does mean that we should try to find the peace in a situation first. Again, referring back to chapter 2, there are two ways in which people face fear and they are pulling back or attacking to ensure the most possible safety. When Jesus was sent to the cross he didn’t fight back because God gave him strength. God’s power is unlike any other power in the world but at the same time people need to realize that there isn’t a correlation between invulnerability and God’s purposes. In James, the book correlates violence to our inability to trust God for needs. “James suggests that our violence towards others is the result of a war within ourselves. (123)” Instead we should rely on God to not confuse our wants from our needs and he will provide. Thus we can get what we want without violence. There is a big debate between if pacifists should condone war or not. Pacifists realize that not everyone wants to be passive like them, but they are pacifists because they try to see peace as their first option. They think that peace is yet to come but, “Only if God is actively guiding the world to its harmonious end can Christians risk imitating the nonviolence of Jesus. (126)” Fear temps and pacifists to want to fight by trading in their courage for survival. Also, it’s ok to fear death like the possibility in war but the problem is when the fear of death is too extreme. Another fear is that we don’t have enough time for anything and, “Fearfulness produces impatience because we fear that we do not have time to discern options…(129)” To face impatience is courage, which means being patient, thinking through situations, and being at peace. Only by trusting the future and not allowing false patience to be confused with true patience will we be able to embody peacemaking.
I like that peacemaking represents finding the good in something first but standing up for what you believe in if that doesn’t work. Throughout this book, and now coming to an end, I have learned to trust in God because he knows my needs best. I didn’t automatically link the word pacifists to the pacifists in the war but I remember hearing about how people that used to be drafted that could defer due to religious or health issues. This reminds me of a movie that is coming out where the main character joins the war but will not fight. Although this causes some distraught, he ends up saving the most lives, showing that sometimes the unexpected can surprise. Trusting that nonviolence will end all human conflict is very bold but a step in the right direction. I am one of the most impatient people ever but I have been working on it and in today’s day and age instant gratification is becoming more common which can be a good or bad thing. Where time seems so valuable, I think that it is important to step back and learn how to truly be at peace and enjoy life.

Chapter 10
Through the chapter of Luke, Jesus teaches that physical objects don’t guarantee a happy and long life.
Although Jesus doesn’t go around punishing people who are “greedy,” “Jesus seeks to dispel the illusion that wealth can be a buffer against misfortune. (134)” Others think that being rich will save them, and to some extent it does and is good to have savings in case of an emergency, but is a sin if money comes before God. Adam Smith who wrote the Wealth of Nations concluded that peoples own self-interests ends up helping everyone as a whole. Since rich people don’t use all their things, there is a benefit in them getting more wealth because essentially they will have to share. Smith also argues that people should not serve others but just continue doing what they are doing because everything will work out. There is an assumption that, “inequality arises from God’s decision rather than from human injustice or exploitation. (137)” Instead of being fearful we should trust in God because then we can know how to be generous. We don’t need more than what God provides and should not take more than what we need and share with others. Charity is a way to give but it has a negative aspect due to the power that the giver has over the taker. To help, businesses should promote generosity when producing and selling goods. “The job of generous business is to participate in the flow of that abundance. (143)” A way for churches to give is through the Sabbath because it upholds the belief
to trust in God and that there is enough. Years ago the Sabbath demanded that people’s debt be forgotten, slaves be freed, and all land be returned to its rightful owner. This gave families new hope and, “The gap between the rich and poor would not go unchecked. (146)” Lastly, when God feeds his followers on the day of his death, he shows the abundance and promise that he has given to provide enough.
Ever since I was young I have been very attached to physical objects and I agree that although they make me happier in the moment, they do not satisfy long-term needs. Also this concept is attached to money because wrongfully I tell myself that the more money I have, the more accomplished I am. I like this chapter because I am a business major and have learned about, am an interested in this topic. While I know that the invisible hand is at work, I didn’t think of how giving rich people more can benefit society. However, I don’t agree that people shouldn’t serve others because if someone can help others in any way possible I think the world is already a better place. Again going back to free will, I also don’t agree that God causes human injustice because he does not control our actions. God is a generous God and before, I have taken more than I have needed to feel safe, but now in the business world hope to promote generosity. I have never associated charity as a negative connotation but have felt it. I see how giving can uplift the giver and getting can degrade the getter because for example when I have given things to the Union Gospel Mission I have felt that people should be appreciative of the things that I am giving away. When in reality, I don’t even want those things. It is wrong to automatically put the people who are receiving my things as below me and incapable of taking care of themselves.

Overall, I think that this book does a good job focusing on the real questions that real people fear and how God is incorporated into each topic.