Altruism is a somewhat magical concept that we desperately believe to be true. Yet, with the natural tendencies of humanity as an entity, and the deliberation of cruel behavior that is witnessed throughout the world, it is difficult to assume altruism is a reality if not on the verge of extinction. I propose that altruism does indeed exist and that it must be nurtured to survive.
As defined in our text, altruism is "a motive to increase another’s welfare without conscious regard for one’s self-interests (Myers, 2005, pg. 476)". In other words, it is an elevated level of helping that merits true honor. Perhaps the survival of the species depends on this concept that random acts of kindness can and will be done despite the unfortunate circumstance that it is a rare occurrence or that it is seldom put into action. Nevertheless, we must rely on the fact that it does show up in life. And when it does, it lights up our belief system in such a way that it multiplies courage and perpetuates altruism to spread in generous ways.
So how do we know when altruism is genuine rather than a façade? When celebrities donate to causes or exert themselves in humanitarian endeavors, is it just for publicity or is it truly for the cause without any care for how they are perceived in doing such acts? It seems that faith is the only way to truly discern the existence of altruism, and if it really is not evident, at least good deeds are being tended to.
In a world in which we are all guilty of acting upon reward and doing only what promotes personal success or gratification, it is refreshing to have such a concept as altruism alive in the study of psychology. I submit that this is not merely a myth or a fantastical proposition, but that altruism is in fact a part of humanity whether it is uncovered or not. It seems that it must be pruned and cared for so that when it occurs, it will be embraced more readily and cherished as a privilege of being a part of the human race.
References
Myers, D. (2005) Social Psychology (8th edition). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Ruins of Our Time
When songbirds do not serenade
When water lays so still
When carefree joy and hapiness
Means swallowing that pill.
When lovers become strangers
When children cannot smile
When tears and angry faces
Become the newest style.
When laughter is a tortured sound
When nature withers more
When God no longer graces lips
And knees don't touch the floor.
The somber night does echoe
The ruins of our time
When your life breathed it's last attempt
As suddenly did mine.
When water lays so still
When carefree joy and hapiness
Means swallowing that pill.
When lovers become strangers
When children cannot smile
When tears and angry faces
Become the newest style.
When laughter is a tortured sound
When nature withers more
When God no longer graces lips
And knees don't touch the floor.
The somber night does echoe
The ruins of our time
When your life breathed it's last attempt
As suddenly did mine.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Paper Doll
Lonely little woman with your tear stained face.
Don't you every wonder why you punish yourself?
Pretty little baby, you have no idea.
The damage you endure is sadly self inflicted....
That poison you complain about was, after all, predicted.
Turn on that t.v. and see what you should be.
Flip that magazine and mimick paper dolls.
Wander down the streets and relish in the praise.
If only they knew you're heart wasn't painted....
Nourishing your body is so over-rated.
Innocent little child with a woman's lonesome mind.
Oh, sweet young lady you are falling to the ground.
The secret of a happy soul lies within yourself.
But you judge who you are by the fabricated world....
Isn't it ironic being a girl?
Don't you every wonder why you punish yourself?
Pretty little baby, you have no idea.
The damage you endure is sadly self inflicted....
That poison you complain about was, after all, predicted.
Turn on that t.v. and see what you should be.
Flip that magazine and mimick paper dolls.
Wander down the streets and relish in the praise.
If only they knew you're heart wasn't painted....
Nourishing your body is so over-rated.
Innocent little child with a woman's lonesome mind.
Oh, sweet young lady you are falling to the ground.
The secret of a happy soul lies within yourself.
But you judge who you are by the fabricated world....
Isn't it ironic being a girl?
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Love is a Magician
Love is a Magician
No longer can I hear the applause
For the mighty Illusionist called Love.
The sparkle ceases to appear
And the once sought feeling of joy slips away.
Does the day fade into night?
Or does the darkness devour the daylight?
Moments tick by endlessly,
Wrapping into each other.
Forced smiles become dimmed.
Soft touches turn into hardened memories.
And love loses its bright color.
Teardrops suddenly nourish sadness
And become the requirement for a thirsty soul.
Laughter only mocks the truth
And fake happiness chips away like a tiled floor.
Is irony the definition of love?
As we all fumble through life to find it.
While we crave the feeling of passion,
Our heart warns us of the coming betrayal.
Love is a magician.
It entices us with its glory.
We become enraptured by its tricks.
The excitement of it eats away reality
And we suffer from its delusions.
Yes love is a magician.
With a quirky smile,
A witty presence,
And the truth hidden behind its back.
By Jeannette Villatoro
© 2008
No longer can I hear the applause
For the mighty Illusionist called Love.
The sparkle ceases to appear
And the once sought feeling of joy slips away.
Does the day fade into night?
Or does the darkness devour the daylight?
Moments tick by endlessly,
Wrapping into each other.
Forced smiles become dimmed.
Soft touches turn into hardened memories.
And love loses its bright color.
Teardrops suddenly nourish sadness
And become the requirement for a thirsty soul.
Laughter only mocks the truth
And fake happiness chips away like a tiled floor.
Is irony the definition of love?
As we all fumble through life to find it.
While we crave the feeling of passion,
Our heart warns us of the coming betrayal.
Love is a magician.
It entices us with its glory.
We become enraptured by its tricks.
The excitement of it eats away reality
And we suffer from its delusions.
Yes love is a magician.
With a quirky smile,
A witty presence,
And the truth hidden behind its back.
By Jeannette Villatoro
© 2008
The Impact and Implications of a Unique Social World
"Essay I wrote for Social Psychology. Kind of tricky because it had to be about myself but APA format kind of denies a writer of the right to use "I". Thus, I used "this author". Eh, you get the picture." - Jeannette Villatoro
The Impact and Implications of a Unique Social World
Jeannette Villatoro
PYD0914A
Professor Debra Booker
April 5, 2009
Abstract
Each individual displays a self-efficacy that can change and morph with different phases of life. Some of the most momentous events in life that encumber the greatest self agility and determination is gaining an education through college. This author demonstrates the challenges and achievements she went through to pursue her undying passion for a college degree, the comparisons between the pursuit of the same goal from past to present, and the effect it has had on her personal life and in the social world she inhabits.
The Impact and Implications of a Unique Social World
A college education is one of the most significant events that one can endure. The pursuit of an elongated educational endeavor can greatly affect how one perceives the outside world as well as the inner workings of their own mind, and the balance between the two elements. This author will illustrate the impact and implications of a unique social world in which educational development and the pursuit of a better self help modify how this author interacts with the world around her and internalizes the knowledge that has been acquired.
This author has always been moved by the learning experience, whether directly from living in a social world or the concentrated knowledge that is delivered from a specific course of study. Learning is a consistent process in which human beings thrive. But the pursuit of an education from college proves to be an enormous tool for success and understanding of one’s self, and has further propelled this author into a positive environment within a social world of learning and achieving. There are some important assertions that have come to light when contemplating the effects of school, however. It seems that the timing must be accurate for the attitude of the student and the place in life in which the student finds them self.
The day that this author chose to continue her education through online college courses at Ashford University was one of the greatest days of her life. Being a stay-at-home mother who focused primarily on her family has been a miraculous experience that has allotted amazing personal growth. It has also forged a more limited view and connection with the outside world in conjunction with this author’s own personal needs and wants. Attending college would no doubt help to eradicate the missing link between her personal world and the world in which she once felt a part of. Being a student once again would surely open her mind to new knowledge and intellectual thinking as well as change her attitude and feelings about herself. For certain it would also impact her family that she has been so dedicated to. It was a difficult challenge to bear for this author, but one that was necessary. Therefore, fine tuning would have to take place in order to continue with her dreams and goals while still maintaining the position within her family structure and keeping the important aspects of her life in the forefront.
In the past, this author went with the wave of most other graduated high school students and attended college immediately at the appropriate age. However, this author was less than motivated to do well, as the distractions prevailed and personal perseverance lacked immensely. “There are numerous variables that affect a student’s performance through college (Nelson, 2003, pg. 1)”. Having to make decisions on their own, the social pressures of college life, and fear of the unknown all contribute to poor college performance (Nelson, 2003). Although this author was arguably still intelligent at this younger age, she did not give college an honest effort. School curriculum was not a focus and the choices she made were sporadic as this author simply took classes that interested her rather than what would place her closer to her goal. The actual possibility of gaining more knowledge and becoming a better person was not a priority to this author and subsequently she gave up and left school. Despite this failure, this author has achieved many amazing goals in life reflected in her husband, children, and home. Her life has been blissfully pertinent and has brought her to a place in life in which responsibility, pride, and personal acceptance has flourished. Due to these elements she now possesses, she has the ability to embrace college with a new perspective.
This author has had great success with attending school in recent circumstances. It has proved to be a more intense and fulfilling experience than she could ever have imagined. Within the structure of learning, she has boosted her self confidence and has felt more valuable to the world around her. She has also been able to strongly acquire a passion for the career direction in which she chose to follow. These accomplishments have been life changing for this author and her family. Her present entrance into college has come at a time in which she was completely prepared due to her seasoned self-efficacy which allowed for the realization that she could complete her goal and obtain the degree that she has always wanted. The issues of the past no longer exist, as growing into an adult, wife, and mother has forced the reality that success comes from hard work and determination. After nearly two years of college, this author has applied those standards to learning and has reaped the rewards. She has proudly maintained a 4.0 GPA, has been on the Dean’s List consecutively, and has recently been inducted into the Honor Society Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda.
Life is a magical mixture of growing realization in one’s self and events that stimulate that growth. Failure and disappointment are in fact a part of life, but are meant to be changed into more positive successes. Self-efficacy has played an important role for this author, as it is the drive to go forth with her determination and to do well (Myers, 2005). Going to college was an amazing feat for this author that led to achievements beyond her expectations. The powerful self-efficacy she has allowed herself to gain along with the pursuit of educational growth has enlightened this author in ways that will allow her to broaden this spectrum to the outside world and continue to succeed in the future with confidence.
References
Myers, D. (2005). Social Psychology (8th edition). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Nelson, R (2003).Student efficiency: a study on the behavior and productive efficiency of college students and the determinants of GPA. Issues in Political Economy. 12, 1.
The Impact and Implications of a Unique Social World
Jeannette Villatoro
PYD0914A
Professor Debra Booker
April 5, 2009
Abstract
Each individual displays a self-efficacy that can change and morph with different phases of life. Some of the most momentous events in life that encumber the greatest self agility and determination is gaining an education through college. This author demonstrates the challenges and achievements she went through to pursue her undying passion for a college degree, the comparisons between the pursuit of the same goal from past to present, and the effect it has had on her personal life and in the social world she inhabits.
The Impact and Implications of a Unique Social World
A college education is one of the most significant events that one can endure. The pursuit of an elongated educational endeavor can greatly affect how one perceives the outside world as well as the inner workings of their own mind, and the balance between the two elements. This author will illustrate the impact and implications of a unique social world in which educational development and the pursuit of a better self help modify how this author interacts with the world around her and internalizes the knowledge that has been acquired.
This author has always been moved by the learning experience, whether directly from living in a social world or the concentrated knowledge that is delivered from a specific course of study. Learning is a consistent process in which human beings thrive. But the pursuit of an education from college proves to be an enormous tool for success and understanding of one’s self, and has further propelled this author into a positive environment within a social world of learning and achieving. There are some important assertions that have come to light when contemplating the effects of school, however. It seems that the timing must be accurate for the attitude of the student and the place in life in which the student finds them self.
The day that this author chose to continue her education through online college courses at Ashford University was one of the greatest days of her life. Being a stay-at-home mother who focused primarily on her family has been a miraculous experience that has allotted amazing personal growth. It has also forged a more limited view and connection with the outside world in conjunction with this author’s own personal needs and wants. Attending college would no doubt help to eradicate the missing link between her personal world and the world in which she once felt a part of. Being a student once again would surely open her mind to new knowledge and intellectual thinking as well as change her attitude and feelings about herself. For certain it would also impact her family that she has been so dedicated to. It was a difficult challenge to bear for this author, but one that was necessary. Therefore, fine tuning would have to take place in order to continue with her dreams and goals while still maintaining the position within her family structure and keeping the important aspects of her life in the forefront.
In the past, this author went with the wave of most other graduated high school students and attended college immediately at the appropriate age. However, this author was less than motivated to do well, as the distractions prevailed and personal perseverance lacked immensely. “There are numerous variables that affect a student’s performance through college (Nelson, 2003, pg. 1)”. Having to make decisions on their own, the social pressures of college life, and fear of the unknown all contribute to poor college performance (Nelson, 2003). Although this author was arguably still intelligent at this younger age, she did not give college an honest effort. School curriculum was not a focus and the choices she made were sporadic as this author simply took classes that interested her rather than what would place her closer to her goal. The actual possibility of gaining more knowledge and becoming a better person was not a priority to this author and subsequently she gave up and left school. Despite this failure, this author has achieved many amazing goals in life reflected in her husband, children, and home. Her life has been blissfully pertinent and has brought her to a place in life in which responsibility, pride, and personal acceptance has flourished. Due to these elements she now possesses, she has the ability to embrace college with a new perspective.
This author has had great success with attending school in recent circumstances. It has proved to be a more intense and fulfilling experience than she could ever have imagined. Within the structure of learning, she has boosted her self confidence and has felt more valuable to the world around her. She has also been able to strongly acquire a passion for the career direction in which she chose to follow. These accomplishments have been life changing for this author and her family. Her present entrance into college has come at a time in which she was completely prepared due to her seasoned self-efficacy which allowed for the realization that she could complete her goal and obtain the degree that she has always wanted. The issues of the past no longer exist, as growing into an adult, wife, and mother has forced the reality that success comes from hard work and determination. After nearly two years of college, this author has applied those standards to learning and has reaped the rewards. She has proudly maintained a 4.0 GPA, has been on the Dean’s List consecutively, and has recently been inducted into the Honor Society Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda.
Life is a magical mixture of growing realization in one’s self and events that stimulate that growth. Failure and disappointment are in fact a part of life, but are meant to be changed into more positive successes. Self-efficacy has played an important role for this author, as it is the drive to go forth with her determination and to do well (Myers, 2005). Going to college was an amazing feat for this author that led to achievements beyond her expectations. The powerful self-efficacy she has allowed herself to gain along with the pursuit of educational growth has enlightened this author in ways that will allow her to broaden this spectrum to the outside world and continue to succeed in the future with confidence.
References
Myers, D. (2005). Social Psychology (8th edition). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Nelson, R (2003).Student efficiency: a study on the behavior and productive efficiency of college students and the determinants of GPA. Issues in Political Economy. 12, 1.
Empty Stage
Empty Stage
Here I stand with my knees buckling
Wearing my heart on my sleeve
My bubbling talent waiting to be recieved.
I look to the left,
And then the right.
No director is present
My name is not in lights.
The audience of chairs are silent and encumbered
The only sound is my heart pounding sorrowfully
No tickets were bought to see me perform.
The echoe of laughter teases my senses
And the dull bulbs of thought pierce my mind.
How did I get to this stage so unprepared?
Why is there coldness depleting my breath?
I wither off stage with a tear stained face.
I laugh sarcastically at my hopes to be loved.
No longer will I subject myself to this pain.
Within the theatre lies my demise.
By Jeannette Villatoro © 2008
Here I stand with my knees buckling
Wearing my heart on my sleeve
My bubbling talent waiting to be recieved.
I look to the left,
And then the right.
No director is present
My name is not in lights.
The audience of chairs are silent and encumbered
The only sound is my heart pounding sorrowfully
No tickets were bought to see me perform.
The echoe of laughter teases my senses
And the dull bulbs of thought pierce my mind.
How did I get to this stage so unprepared?
Why is there coldness depleting my breath?
I wither off stage with a tear stained face.
I laugh sarcastically at my hopes to be loved.
No longer will I subject myself to this pain.
Within the theatre lies my demise.
By Jeannette Villatoro © 2008
An Exploration of Why Job Suffered
An Exploration of Why Job Suffered
Jeannette Villatoro
GSP0819A
Dr. Johnny Vanneste
May 25, 2008
An Exploration of Why Job Suffered
Perhaps one of the most fascination books in the Bible is the Book of Job. This poetic and fluid dictation has been deemed as "the most profound and literary work of the entire Old Testament" (McKenzie, 1995, pg. 207). Job explores the presence of evil, how it relates to the existence of man, and how God plays a part in the battle. Quite possibly the most perplexing question regarding this writing is why Job suffered? I will begin a journey into discovery that will touch on what forms of suffering became of Job, what interpretations exist regarding this affliction, and how it brings light to the belief of Christianity today.
The Book of Job presents a relatable experience for the average believer. Many people have been through turmoil and strife; ups and downs in life that seem to make living unbearable. Having everything that is ever wanted is a rare accomplishment for most Americans today, but perhaps the more common experience is losing everything once it is obtained. Is this a direct punishment upon the nature of man? What about those who are righteous and follow the Lord with the entirety of their will and still find anguish? These questions have been delved into by scholars who study the Book of Job, as it clearly displays similar life trials.
Starting in the Book of Job reveals many revelations of Job and how to live righteously. However, according to some studies, "Since the Law of Moses is not mentioned, this indicates Job lived before the Law was given at ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Mt. Sinai. The book of Job shows the way of life which was common during the Patriarchal Age" (McDaniel, 2001, pg. 1). This particular discovery proposes that Job had an innate desire to serve the Lord despite the direct command to do so. Job was wealthy with an abundance of blessings. He had many livestock and prosperity and had a large estate. But the amazing fact about Job was that with all of this opulence that he had, he was a man of unmatched veracity among others in the land. "He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil" (Barker, 2002, pg. 303). He also kept his family humble and cleansed his children each day in hopes to abolish any sins that they may have committed towards God, both in action and thought. But soon his comfortable existence would be defeated in horrendous ways.
Satan approached God on one particular occasion, in which the Lord boasted of his servant Job whom he was very pleased. He presented the faith and character of Job to Satan as an apparent hope for the possibilities of man. Satan took this opportunity to challenge God and present controversy in the pride that God expressed over Job. Satan brought to light that God has blessed Job with everything that a man could ever want; therefore Job was only loyal by default. God then allowed Satan to confront Job's integrity as long as he did not harm him. Satan immediately sought to prove that Job would falter in his love for the Lord.
As soon as this pursuit took place, Satan was successful in taking away all of the worldly possessions in which Job held so dear. His livestock was diminished and his children were destroyed. But Satan did not prove successful in his intentions to break Job's faith, as Job ripped his clothing from his body, shaved his head, and declared, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).
God brought this reaction of Job's to the attention of Satan but Satan was not satisfied. He told God that "any man would give up his possessions if he feared for his life" (Job 2:4). God then allowed Satan to test Job once again, as long as he was not killed. Satan infected Job with incurable boils from head to foot (Job 2: 7). And yet again, Job responded with faith for the Lord's will for him, despite his confusion with the wrecking of his life.
The suffering of Job has brought many interpretations and concerns to light among the Christian faith. Why exactly did God let Job suffer? Although it seems clear, there may be more ramifications to this reasoning than most would expect. Initially, God allowed Satan to try and destroy the devotion of possibly the best man of his time; Job. Once the first test was given, it was shown that Job had humility when the things he loved were violently swept away. When the second test occurred, Job still remained strong when he became ill and his very existence was threatened. But why would God allow this test to occur in the first place?
One particular explanation lies in the possibility that God was unsure of Job. Perhaps he was interested to see what faults Job had and if he would turn his back away from God once his blessed life became less than bearable. But the argument against this prediction is that God is all knowing and already knows the heart of his people. So then maybe he wanted to prove to Satan that there was a good, loyal servant that existed in the eyes of God. One who would serve him until his dying day regardless of pleasantries or turmoil? Even so, God has no need to prove his knowledge or manner to anyone, especially Satan (Linthicum, 1991, pg. 178). This perpetual feud between Satan and God seems almost as if God was merely humoring Satan with the enhancement of teaching lessons to his people in the process.
Another analogy of why Job suffered would be to show the wisdom of God and let people endure the compassion of human suffering. "After Elihu had finished, God spoke. God did not tell Job that He had allowed Satan to afflict him. He simply challenged Job with His great wisdom. God's wisdom was much greater than that of Job and his friends. If they could not answer questions about how God does things in His creation, how could they understand human suffering?" (McDaniel, 2001, pg. 1).
One last theodicy on this particular subject would be that of a direct collaboration between human suffering and God's suffering and the cataclysmic opposition that the two present. According to Sheldon, Job believed "a transcendent God could never understand our very human suffering, arising as it does from our powerlessness and finitude" (Sheldon, 2000, pg. 1). This could mean that the entire reason behind the allowance of the suffering of Job was for the benefit of both Job and God to understand a bit of each other's position.
One thing remains clear: Job's suffering was a direct result from Satan himself. The true question lies within why God would allow such a violation upon one of his most prized servants. Job's own wife suggested he should denounce God and prepare to die. The three friends that visited Job during the worst phases of his despair maintained that Job must have committed a terrible and vile sin in order to be the recipient of such havoc. But Job did not agree with this proposition, as he believed God to be compassionate and caring toward all human suffering that would take place in his eyes (Sheldon, 2000, pg. 1). After all the debates that flourished between Job in his desolate state and his three friends, the last statement that Job concludes is that, "his humanity entitles him to innate moral rights, which God has violated; and if he is innocent and God is truly all-powerful, then the Deity must be responsible for the evil that he and all other people endure' (Harris, 2007, pg. 252).
God's response to the feelings and presentations of Job and his friends reflected that of authority. If these men could not understand God and why He does things, which clearly they could not, as God had more wisdom than these and all men, then how could they possibly understand human suffering (McDaniel, 2001, pg. 1). These deliberations resulted in the repentance of Job and his promise to trust God and his love for all mankind.
So why does suffering truly exist, and most seemingly for those who least deserve it? Although the Book of Job intends to put such inquires to rest, it is still an ironic ending that comes of it all. Answers are not imminent and the understanding of why God would allow such trials and tribulations into the lives of those who served him well remain a floating inquisition in even today's world.
Job took the opportunity of his demise to truly explore why God would do this and what would come of it. It was truly a time of reflection. When God appeared as Job was discussing these matters with his friends, Job took upon the notion to challenge God and His ways. He still remained loyal and trusting in God, but with some new questions that needed to be answered. He was battling for humanity in that he confronted the Lord with his own mortal views that he believed God could not understand. "Reversing the traditional wisdom of that asks us to look at things from the Deity's viewpoint, Job asks that God develop greater empathy for the human condition, experiencing his imperfect world as mortals must, without the divine prerogatives of omniscience, immortality, and immunity to pain" (Harris, 2007, pg. 254). This would be probably the only mark in biblical history in which one of God's people gives a hypothesis of discovery to God himself. It was a very interesting viewpoint that Job asked God to uphold, as we as people can experience love for others with an innate understanding of their circumstances if we open our hearts. Even our children have the benefit of our love with the unique position of understanding what it is like to be a child because we have been a child ourselves. However, God has not experienced being a human being. Although he created us, he has not had the opportunity to understand what it is like to be mortal and struggle with such concepts as good and evil. Perhaps this marked God's decision for Jesus to come to the earth, so that a bridge of understanding could be created between us and God Himself.
God appears to make no distinction between the good and bad; innocent or guilty (Harris, 2007, pg. 253). This may be the most troubling conquest that a Christian or interested party can exam. But God assures us in a simple way that His Creation of all people is that of one. We may separate ourselves by such denominations of good and evil, but God wants us to see things His way. Perhaps our duty here on earth is to concentrate on the unity of each other rather than our own lives. In other words, in God's eyes, we are as good as the most evil person on earth.
With the many perplexities surrounding the Book of Job, there are just as many theories that attempt to encapsulate the true meaning of Job and the nature of the God we call our own. Job was an incredible influence that impacted the way we see God and Satan; good and evil. Job had everything that anyone could possibly desire as a man of his time and with that came the assumption that such blessings were allowed solely on the basis of his integrity and loyalty to God. But when it came time to prove otherwise, Job did everything but weaken his position as a God-fearing man. With this strength came a philosophy of who God really is and what he expects from his people. As with the Bible as an entity in itself, many of these writings can be open to whatever interpretations allow. And as difficult as it is to discover the unorthodox truths behind the teachings of the Bible, it is clear that the purpose of such desire for learning is possibly the most significant ingredient in Christianity to date.
References
Lithicum, R. C. (1991). City of God, City of Satan. Michigan: Zondervan.
McDaniel, A. (2001) Truth for the World. Job: Why Do The Righteous Suffer? Retrieved
May 21, 2008, from http://www.tftw.org/courses/bcc_ots_l9.html
The Holy Bible, Red-Letter Text Edition. Nashville: Tennessee, 2003.
Sheldon, R. (2000). The Book of Job: A multiperspectival approach to the problem of
evil, The suffering of the righteous, and the justice of God. A theodicy. Job as Sacrifice of Suffering. Retrieved May 23, 2008, from http://www.rbsp.info/rbs/RbS/JOB/j25.html
Harris, S. L. (2007). Understanding the bible (7th ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill.
Barker, K. L. (2002). Zondervan New International Version Study Bible. Michigan:
Zondervan.
McKenzie, J. L. (1995). Dictionary of The Bible. New York: Touchstone Books.
Jeannette Villatoro
GSP0819A
Dr. Johnny Vanneste
May 25, 2008
An Exploration of Why Job Suffered
Perhaps one of the most fascination books in the Bible is the Book of Job. This poetic and fluid dictation has been deemed as "the most profound and literary work of the entire Old Testament" (McKenzie, 1995, pg. 207). Job explores the presence of evil, how it relates to the existence of man, and how God plays a part in the battle. Quite possibly the most perplexing question regarding this writing is why Job suffered? I will begin a journey into discovery that will touch on what forms of suffering became of Job, what interpretations exist regarding this affliction, and how it brings light to the belief of Christianity today.
The Book of Job presents a relatable experience for the average believer. Many people have been through turmoil and strife; ups and downs in life that seem to make living unbearable. Having everything that is ever wanted is a rare accomplishment for most Americans today, but perhaps the more common experience is losing everything once it is obtained. Is this a direct punishment upon the nature of man? What about those who are righteous and follow the Lord with the entirety of their will and still find anguish? These questions have been delved into by scholars who study the Book of Job, as it clearly displays similar life trials.
Starting in the Book of Job reveals many revelations of Job and how to live righteously. However, according to some studies, "Since the Law of Moses is not mentioned, this indicates Job lived before the Law was given at ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Mt. Sinai. The book of Job shows the way of life which was common during the Patriarchal Age" (McDaniel, 2001, pg. 1). This particular discovery proposes that Job had an innate desire to serve the Lord despite the direct command to do so. Job was wealthy with an abundance of blessings. He had many livestock and prosperity and had a large estate. But the amazing fact about Job was that with all of this opulence that he had, he was a man of unmatched veracity among others in the land. "He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil" (Barker, 2002, pg. 303). He also kept his family humble and cleansed his children each day in hopes to abolish any sins that they may have committed towards God, both in action and thought. But soon his comfortable existence would be defeated in horrendous ways.
Satan approached God on one particular occasion, in which the Lord boasted of his servant Job whom he was very pleased. He presented the faith and character of Job to Satan as an apparent hope for the possibilities of man. Satan took this opportunity to challenge God and present controversy in the pride that God expressed over Job. Satan brought to light that God has blessed Job with everything that a man could ever want; therefore Job was only loyal by default. God then allowed Satan to confront Job's integrity as long as he did not harm him. Satan immediately sought to prove that Job would falter in his love for the Lord.
As soon as this pursuit took place, Satan was successful in taking away all of the worldly possessions in which Job held so dear. His livestock was diminished and his children were destroyed. But Satan did not prove successful in his intentions to break Job's faith, as Job ripped his clothing from his body, shaved his head, and declared, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).
God brought this reaction of Job's to the attention of Satan but Satan was not satisfied. He told God that "any man would give up his possessions if he feared for his life" (Job 2:4). God then allowed Satan to test Job once again, as long as he was not killed. Satan infected Job with incurable boils from head to foot (Job 2: 7). And yet again, Job responded with faith for the Lord's will for him, despite his confusion with the wrecking of his life.
The suffering of Job has brought many interpretations and concerns to light among the Christian faith. Why exactly did God let Job suffer? Although it seems clear, there may be more ramifications to this reasoning than most would expect. Initially, God allowed Satan to try and destroy the devotion of possibly the best man of his time; Job. Once the first test was given, it was shown that Job had humility when the things he loved were violently swept away. When the second test occurred, Job still remained strong when he became ill and his very existence was threatened. But why would God allow this test to occur in the first place?
One particular explanation lies in the possibility that God was unsure of Job. Perhaps he was interested to see what faults Job had and if he would turn his back away from God once his blessed life became less than bearable. But the argument against this prediction is that God is all knowing and already knows the heart of his people. So then maybe he wanted to prove to Satan that there was a good, loyal servant that existed in the eyes of God. One who would serve him until his dying day regardless of pleasantries or turmoil? Even so, God has no need to prove his knowledge or manner to anyone, especially Satan (Linthicum, 1991, pg. 178). This perpetual feud between Satan and God seems almost as if God was merely humoring Satan with the enhancement of teaching lessons to his people in the process.
Another analogy of why Job suffered would be to show the wisdom of God and let people endure the compassion of human suffering. "After Elihu had finished, God spoke. God did not tell Job that He had allowed Satan to afflict him. He simply challenged Job with His great wisdom. God's wisdom was much greater than that of Job and his friends. If they could not answer questions about how God does things in His creation, how could they understand human suffering?" (McDaniel, 2001, pg. 1).
One last theodicy on this particular subject would be that of a direct collaboration between human suffering and God's suffering and the cataclysmic opposition that the two present. According to Sheldon, Job believed "a transcendent God could never understand our very human suffering, arising as it does from our powerlessness and finitude" (Sheldon, 2000, pg. 1). This could mean that the entire reason behind the allowance of the suffering of Job was for the benefit of both Job and God to understand a bit of each other's position.
One thing remains clear: Job's suffering was a direct result from Satan himself. The true question lies within why God would allow such a violation upon one of his most prized servants. Job's own wife suggested he should denounce God and prepare to die. The three friends that visited Job during the worst phases of his despair maintained that Job must have committed a terrible and vile sin in order to be the recipient of such havoc. But Job did not agree with this proposition, as he believed God to be compassionate and caring toward all human suffering that would take place in his eyes (Sheldon, 2000, pg. 1). After all the debates that flourished between Job in his desolate state and his three friends, the last statement that Job concludes is that, "his humanity entitles him to innate moral rights, which God has violated; and if he is innocent and God is truly all-powerful, then the Deity must be responsible for the evil that he and all other people endure' (Harris, 2007, pg. 252).
God's response to the feelings and presentations of Job and his friends reflected that of authority. If these men could not understand God and why He does things, which clearly they could not, as God had more wisdom than these and all men, then how could they possibly understand human suffering (McDaniel, 2001, pg. 1). These deliberations resulted in the repentance of Job and his promise to trust God and his love for all mankind.
So why does suffering truly exist, and most seemingly for those who least deserve it? Although the Book of Job intends to put such inquires to rest, it is still an ironic ending that comes of it all. Answers are not imminent and the understanding of why God would allow such trials and tribulations into the lives of those who served him well remain a floating inquisition in even today's world.
Job took the opportunity of his demise to truly explore why God would do this and what would come of it. It was truly a time of reflection. When God appeared as Job was discussing these matters with his friends, Job took upon the notion to challenge God and His ways. He still remained loyal and trusting in God, but with some new questions that needed to be answered. He was battling for humanity in that he confronted the Lord with his own mortal views that he believed God could not understand. "Reversing the traditional wisdom of that asks us to look at things from the Deity's viewpoint, Job asks that God develop greater empathy for the human condition, experiencing his imperfect world as mortals must, without the divine prerogatives of omniscience, immortality, and immunity to pain" (Harris, 2007, pg. 254). This would be probably the only mark in biblical history in which one of God's people gives a hypothesis of discovery to God himself. It was a very interesting viewpoint that Job asked God to uphold, as we as people can experience love for others with an innate understanding of their circumstances if we open our hearts. Even our children have the benefit of our love with the unique position of understanding what it is like to be a child because we have been a child ourselves. However, God has not experienced being a human being. Although he created us, he has not had the opportunity to understand what it is like to be mortal and struggle with such concepts as good and evil. Perhaps this marked God's decision for Jesus to come to the earth, so that a bridge of understanding could be created between us and God Himself.
God appears to make no distinction between the good and bad; innocent or guilty (Harris, 2007, pg. 253). This may be the most troubling conquest that a Christian or interested party can exam. But God assures us in a simple way that His Creation of all people is that of one. We may separate ourselves by such denominations of good and evil, but God wants us to see things His way. Perhaps our duty here on earth is to concentrate on the unity of each other rather than our own lives. In other words, in God's eyes, we are as good as the most evil person on earth.
With the many perplexities surrounding the Book of Job, there are just as many theories that attempt to encapsulate the true meaning of Job and the nature of the God we call our own. Job was an incredible influence that impacted the way we see God and Satan; good and evil. Job had everything that anyone could possibly desire as a man of his time and with that came the assumption that such blessings were allowed solely on the basis of his integrity and loyalty to God. But when it came time to prove otherwise, Job did everything but weaken his position as a God-fearing man. With this strength came a philosophy of who God really is and what he expects from his people. As with the Bible as an entity in itself, many of these writings can be open to whatever interpretations allow. And as difficult as it is to discover the unorthodox truths behind the teachings of the Bible, it is clear that the purpose of such desire for learning is possibly the most significant ingredient in Christianity to date.
References
Lithicum, R. C. (1991). City of God, City of Satan. Michigan: Zondervan.
McDaniel, A. (2001) Truth for the World. Job: Why Do The Righteous Suffer? Retrieved
May 21, 2008, from http://www.tftw.org/courses/bcc_ots_l9.html
The Holy Bible, Red-Letter Text Edition. Nashville: Tennessee, 2003.
Sheldon, R. (2000). The Book of Job: A multiperspectival approach to the problem of
evil, The suffering of the righteous, and the justice of God. A theodicy. Job as Sacrifice of Suffering. Retrieved May 23, 2008, from http://www.rbsp.info/rbs/RbS/JOB/j25.html
Harris, S. L. (2007). Understanding the bible (7th ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill.
Barker, K. L. (2002). Zondervan New International Version Study Bible. Michigan:
Zondervan.
McKenzie, J. L. (1995). Dictionary of The Bible. New York: Touchstone Books.
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