Theology & Wisdom - Research Paper Example

WISDOM OF BEN-SIRA How does the of the book justify the goodness of God in the face of the evil present in the world? ANSWER: Ben-Sira’s theology, though not systematic, offers a coherent presentation of the sets of belief necessary in understanding and living the Jewish faith (The Anchor Bible Dictionary 940). In this regard, one important question that has been addressed by the author is the presence of God vis-à-vis the presence of evil in the world. In addressing the question the author has laid down his Doctrine of God and from there explain how evil is present and persist in the face of the goodness of God. Ben-Sira’s doctrine of God affirms the Judaic concept that there is only one God. This becomes significant not only because it re-echoes the Jewish faith but because it counters the notion of the belief on pluralist God, which was the dominant notion or belief during the ancient period. This concept is significant in understanding of the notion of god vis-à-vis evil because as it removes the plurality of gods, it opened the tension between the goodness of God and the presence of evil. This tension necessitates justification as the presence of evil in the world does not only posit a contradiction to the goodness of God but it also acts as a counter-claim for the one God being all-powerful. Ben-Sira claims that there are certain attributes ascribed to God alone. These are God is one and the same (42:21). God is eternal (42:21). God is the all and in all (43:27). This means that God is both transcendent and immanent in all creation (The Anchor Bible Dictionary 940). God is the creator (G:1). God is powerful and His power is manifested in the creation when He created everything out from His words (39:17-18; 42: 15). God is omniscient (15:18-19; 23:19-20; 39: 19-20a; 42: 18-20). God knows everything even the deepest mysteries of the cosmos and He sees thongs even before they come to be (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 940). God is merciful (18:13) and His mercy is to all people whether gentile or Jew. As God is merciful, God is also righteous - He punishes those who are wicked and unrepentant of their sins and He shows His filial love and protection to those who are faithful (The Anchor Bible Dictionary 942). These attributes do not cover the immensity of God. These attributes are simply those, which the human mind and faith can grasp in the midst of God’s immense goodness and power. However, if God is these as understood by the human mind and heart, why there is evil? Ben-Sira asserts that the presence of evil in the world is the result of two factors, namely the origin of sin and the conflict of the freewill. Ben Sira holds that there is a historical origin of sin as presented in Gen 1. In Gen 1, it is narrated that sin entered the world because of the weakness of the woman and not because God created it. For it is said “God saw that everything he made is good” From this scenario, it can be deduced that the nature of sin is such that it is a form of weakness in human nature This symbolism is further attested by considering the lowly status of women during that time and the inferior regard for women in the society, taking this two together, it can be impugned that the historical presence of sin is a result of inherent weakness that is perceptible in human nature (The Anchor Bible Dictionary 942). Moreover, this historical origin of sin accounts for the objectivity of sin in the world (The Anchor Bible Dictionary 942). However, the commandments of God acts as the guide with which the human will should acquiesce. However, God in his goodness has given man the free will, which makes him decide, for himself, for good or for evil. The concept of free will is the second factor that explains the presence of evil in the world. Free will shows that God is not part of that which is evil but that man in his own perspicacity has the freedom to follow the laws given by God or to veer away from the laws and live in sin. In this condition, when man opts for evil, the reality of sin is affirmed and the presence of evil in this world is actualized. In other words, evil in this world is a result of man’s own choice, an exercise of his free will. God in His goodness has given the laws to guide the hearts of man, but since man is free, God cannot imposed His will on men even if he had written in their hearts the law – because man is free. In light of this, the goodness of God is maintained despite the glaring reality of evil – evil is the choice taken by men. Evil is the path chosen by men. As such, Ben Sira speaks of how social injustices and moral evils are so offensive to God that a man offering rituals and services to God and yet committing these evils is abominable to God Tainted his gifts who offers in sacrifice ill-gotten goods! Presents from the lawless do not win God’s favor The Most High approves not the gifts of the godless, nor for their many sacrifices does he forgive their sins On the other hand, To keep the law is great oblation And whoever observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering In works of charity one offers a fine flour And when he gives alms he presents the sacrifice of praise To refrain from evil pleases God And to avoid injustice is an atonement (35: 1-5) For the author the goodness of God remains despite the reality and face of evil in the world because evil is the result of man’s weakness, of man using his free will to veer away from the laws and opt to live in sin. God in all his power shows the utmost respect on man’s freedom by not imposing his will on men but by respecting his choice – to be good or to be evil. WISDOM OF SOLOMON What is wisdom for the author? ANSWER: The author of Wisdom of Solomon has weaved a set of attributes that can be deemed as characteristics of Wisdom. These attributes are linked in such a way that wisdom permeates not just the nature of man but that it becomes an integral part of humanity in history, in the quest for meaning, and in the union with God. In this regard, the author’s characterization of Wisdom is what wisdom is for the author. Wisdom for the author is that which “exists before and is the cause of the immortality of the soul” (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 123). This characterization of Wisdom is similar to Platonic discourse on the immortality of the soul (The Anchor Bible Dictionary 123). However, what distinguishes it from the Platonic discourse is the notion that in the Greek philosophy, immortality is a natural and inherent attribute of the human soul. In fact, in Phaedrus, it is maintained that immortality is the While, on the hand, in the Wisdom of Solomon, wisdom becomes the cause of immortality not because it a natural endowment of the human soul but because the human soul is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, the human soul is immortal because it partakes of the Divine Wisdom (The Anchor Bible Dictionary123). In this regard, the author now opens the second notion of wisdom- wisdom is living righteously. In the second connotation of wisdom for the author, wisdom becomes the choice in living righteously and in becoming just. This idea of wisdom is significant because it connects the first view of wisdom with eschatology and the temporal life .In the temporal life, following and living the tenets of Wisdom, the person becomes righteous and just not only in the eyes of the community but also in the eyes of God. As such, Wisdom is the guide that lights the path of the righteous person. In addition the rewards of Wisdom in this life includes good life, good reputation, wealth, joy and abundance in almost all facets of the human life because “The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from form going down to the grave” (Prov 15: 24). In the eschatology presented by the author of Wisdom of Solomon, God favors the just man, “But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.”(Wisdom of Solomon 3:1) As such, the man who has followed Wisdom in his mortal life, will also enjoy the bliss of heaven as God favors the just and the righteous and rewards them with eternal glory. In the life to come, the just man is no longer feeble and humiliated, but he becomes an agent of God “judge the nations of the world, while enjoying an unsurpassed vision of the truth (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 124). Being such, wisdom benefits the human person in this life and in the life to come. Recognizing the primordial importance of Wisdom, the author presents the idea that Wisdom pervades the cosmos and at the same time enjoys intimacy with God (7:24; 8: 1, 3). Wisdom in this regard, is with God at the beginning of time and “contains the paradigmatic pattern of all things” (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 125). As such, Wisdom is an “effluence or emanation of God’s glory” (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 125). In this regard, the pursuit of Wisdom is necessary for one to enter into union with God and this is possible because of “man’s kinship with her, through his possession of a mind permeated by the intelligent spirit of Wisdom” (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 125). Thus, Wisdom “represents the entire range of science, in addition to the arts, rhetoric, and philosophy. She is man’s counselor, comforter and bestows riches on her own, though her greatest boon is the gift of immortality” (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 125). And if any one loves righteousness,  her labours are virtues;  for she teaches self-control and prudence,  justice and courage;  nothing in life is more profitable for men than these. And if any one longs for wide experience,  she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come;  she understands turns of speech and the solutions of riddles;  she has foreknowledge of signs and wonders  and of the outcome of seasons and times. Therefore I determined to take her to live with me,  knowing that she would give me good counsel  and encouragement in cares and grief. Because of her I shall have glory among the multitudes  and honour in the presence of the elders, though I am young. I shall be found keen in judgment,  and in the sight of rulers I shall be admired When I am silent they will wait for me,  and when I speak they will give heed;  and when I speak at greater length  they will put their hands on their mouths Because of her I shall have immortality,  and leave an everlasting remembrance to those who come after me Wisdom of Solomon 8:7 – 13 In the for the author, Wisdom is the bearer of immortality and those who pursuit her becomes righteous in this life, gains understanding and knowledge of this world but most of all attains immortality for Wisdom herself is the emanation of God’s glory. PERSONAL REFLECTION Wisdom as presented in the Wisdom of Ben-Sira and the Wisdom of Solomon how God in His greatness has willed that humanity share in His glory by allowing Wisdom to permeate not only the transcendental but also the temporal realm. As such, human beings have been given the chance not only to experience the glory of God but more so to partake of His Wisdom. The path laid down by Wisdom for us is never easy. In fact, I think, it will be a lot easier to live a life of injustice because the sun shines both to sinners and righteous alike. However, as I look into the depths of my being I know that the life of injustice is not what we are all called for. God in all His glory and might has chosen to give us free will so that we can look, reflect and decide what we ought to do. He has given us the laws; He has put into our hearts the laws, and has unceasingly informed us that Wisdom can be gained in the here and now. In fact, He has continuously enticed us to follow His path, but in the end, the decision is ours because He has given us free will. What makes this whole scenario more beautiful is that God respects the choices that we make. This does not diminish God’s glory and power, on the other hand, it shows to us what we ought to do to become more human, more humane – respect for the otherness of the other. For, it is only in this that we may see that all of us are co-journeyers in this life toward the life with Wisdom, the life with God. REFERENCES: Wisdom of Ben-Sira. The Anchor Bible Dictionary, pp 940 – 944. Wisdom of Solomon. The Anchor Bible Dictionary, pp 123 – 126. Read More