“Can there be no objective good in heaven because there’s no objective evil there?”
The article already addressed this. There can be light without shadows, but no shadows without light. Good can exist without evil, but evil cannot exist without Good.
“God could have created a world where we have free will without the suffering of the innocent.”
Could he? Let’s ask that question. What would a world without suffering look like? We are here on earth. We are made of fragile human bodies that fail, that suffer, that die. It is the nature of the bodies which we are made that suffering of the innocent is an invariable part of our existence.
Your question presumes that the suffering of an innocent serves no purpose. I would argue that the suffering of an innocent draws us to God in order to right the wrongs, and the evils of this world. That he permits us to sin so that we can come to love and redemption through him. That he permitted Adam and Eve to disobey him, out of free will, and cursed them such that they would suffer.
“What an arbitrary (and dare I say “evil”?) behavior!”
That he permits us to reject him? Hardly arbitrary. Ultimately wisdom.
The fact that we look upon such things when they happen to humans differently shows clearly that some of God's teachings of what innocent life is have begun to stick.
Great questions, Gondring. And, a great attempt at an answer BenKenobi.
But, in the case of the good vs. evil and what-is-God question I don’t think we ever get close to a good answer. We have faith, we know that there is a reason, but I have yet to see an answer that made me go “Ah ha! Now I get it!” And, like most of us, I have searched.
As dumb as this sounds, the closest I can get is to use my dog as an explanation. He wants to get out of the yard and run around. He loves to run. He’s baffled at the efforts I go to keep him in his (very adequate) yard. He knows to avoid the pit bull down the road. He doesn’t comprehend many of the other reasons I have to keep him in the yard; the neighbors don’t appreciate him chasing their chickens and will call the sheriff, cars on the road, ranchers who shoot strange dogs upon sight, etc. I’m sure he thinks I’m being mean and arbitrary, and trying to curb his true spirit. I’m really not. Because I care about his well-being, I insist that he stay in his yard.
I know, a seriously imperfect metaphor, but that’s about as close as I ever get. But, I have faith, and am certain that someday God will give me to understand.
And, I suspect that the well-thought out, seemingly pat answers can actually alienate some people, particularly those who do not have a faith background.
Fair enough. But that shows that there could be the same thing here on earth.
Your question presumes that the suffering of an innocent serves no purpose.
I disagree with that statement, but it does lead to some questions.
What purpose does it serve to have innocent suffer without anyone knowing of the suffering?
What purpose does it serve to create a life that ends without anyone knowing it even exists? (More than half of conceived eggs are passed from the mother's body.)
I would argue that the suffering of an innocent draws us to God in order to right the wrongs, and the evils of this world.
Why did God wait until a couple thousand years ago before sending His Son to earth? What about the people before then?
Why is there a wait of thousands of years before the Second Coming?