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Thank you icxn!

OK. Thank you

I guess what I'm asking is, does Romans Chapter 9 really mean exactly what it says?

How do you interpret Romans Chapter 9 in relation to the OP's question: Why God created some when he knew they would experience hell? God creates one as a vessel for beauty and another for menial use. So, does that mean some were created for Hell? God has mercy upon whomever he wills and...

I understand that Tradition is part of the Christian faith, as passed down through the Church fathers.

I love the beauty of your faith and the Orthodox testimony to the love of God. I do wish I could get a direct response to Romans 9:14-23 in my post #141. Also, is Scripture considered a lesser source in Orthodoxy?

Thank you ArmyMatt.

Thank you, Anastasia

Evil is a thing that you just defined. If God only creates that which is good, how could He then create man with the potential for evil?

Sources???

This really does come down to God creating us for His pleasure and Glory. I think Romans Chapter 9 reveals the answer to the OP's question: God "has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills," and that "depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s...

Wouldn't those suffering eternally be my neighbors too? Isn't it rather tragic that I could become so consumed by my own joy that I am unable to see the suffering of others. That would be tragic in this life and it happens often. Wouldn't it be tragic in the life to come as well?

Toolbelt & Anastasia, I know that you are trying to help, but telling me I have a "Protestant bias" or indicating that I am not seeing what is "veiled" doesn't directly address anything in my post. What part of what I have said is not true? Are we not created for God's pleasure and glory...

It just doesn't seem like we are getting anywhere with an answer regarding why God created people knowing they were destined for torment. Maybe the answer is simply that God created man for His pleasure and His glory. For a reason known only to God, He chose to create people who will suffer...

Oh well. I'll sign off.

Are you talking about the post below? Could you provide a link for that? If you already did, I'm sorry. Just point to the post number.

You said, if God eliminates evil, He would also have eliminated His Saints. So, in essence, you're saying "evil" is necessary. If there are no Saints without evil. "Evil" is a necessary "evil." So, how do you know God didn't create evil? If He didn't create evil, He didn't create all things. If...

I still need answers to these questions about St John's Damascene argument: As your source stated, "Wherefore God makes all His works good, but each becomes of its own choice good or evil." If God is the creator of all things, did he not create evil also? Did he not create man with the...

Anastasia, I'm not really sure about the treatise. I'm having to search for sources named, but not linked. It would really be helpful if people would source their positions with a link.

Anastasia, Thank you. Also very hopeful. I think Orthodoxy is more hopeful, regarding the love of God and the fate of the soul, than many of the views in Protestantism. So, is the OP's question unanswerable?