His Thoughts
Mr. Bracken understandably asks “why do it” and cites several instances that, from the human and even humane perspective, don”t make sense when connected with God who knows all beforehand. One key truth that may help is this: His thoughts are not ours and His ways are not ours and both are higher than ours. So we start at a deficit. An example is Christ”s definition of adultery: simply thinking those thoughts, as we all do, according to God”s higher standards is equal to actually committing the act! Not very fair from the humane perspective, but there it is. How can we approach a God that Holy?
Secondly let”s look at the Abraham/Isaac event: One of the ways we pull meaning out of the Bible is by types or illustrations. This event was a picture of God the Father sacrificing His Son on the cross to pay for the actions of all of us thereby bringing some of us back into fellowship with Him. Isaac is a type (picture) of the antitype (real deal) Jesus. Abraham the type for the real Father.
As for Job: one of the main ways God brings us to the end of ourselves is through suffering; to get us to change our mind about who we are and who He is. We are a stubborn and hard hearted lot, us humans. Much like a colt we must be broken to be ridden. Then there is Jericho and once again from our perspective Mr. Bracken asks why? Why kill babies? While this one is the more difficult to grasp and justify an assumption is held by many Christians that those babies are kept by the Father in heaven. However my answer is: While it is beyond my pay grade to fully understand, I trust Him … others do not. I quote from the book of Romans “33 Oh, the depth of the riches [l]both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?”
Doug Del Bosco, Lakeport
A Rex by any other age
I would like to thank Charles S. Nicoll for responding to Bill Kettenhofen”s letter. However, from what I have read the T. Rex was a pregnant female, and are you sure Prof. Schweitzer stated the samples are from the Jurassic? T. Rex is a Cretaceous animal from 75 to 65 million years ago.
Kevin Bracken, Kelseyville
What”s in a name?
The “Headlines From the Past” section for January 16 referred to a Hollywood actress with Lake County associations, appearing in movies as “Jane Brien.” The original 1940 article was in error: film buffs can research the career and interesting life of this actress (e.g., note her husband), who starred in films as “Jane Bryan.”
I assume this sets a record for longest duration between a newspaper error and its correction.
Charles Berry, Middletown
[Editor”s note: Getting there. In 2014 the New York Times issued a correction to an article they published on Jan. 20, 1853. In a story about Solomon Northup”s experiences, the Times referred to him as “Northrop” and “Northrup” in the 1853 piece. It might have remained unnoticed, but for Northup”s memoir, “12 Years a Slave,” which became a hit film in 2014.]
