The book of Baruch follows Lamentations of Jeremiah. The original Hebrew text was lost and only the Greek translation exists today.
Baruch was the follower and secretary of Jeremiah. This book of his was supposed to have been written during the Babylonian Captivity. There are only 5 chapters. It seems that his prophecy has lost its significance after a Jewish remnant returned to rebuild Jerusalem.
Baruch was the follower and secretary of Jeremiah. This book of his was supposed to have been written during the Babylonian Captivity. There are only 5 chapters. It seems that his prophecy has lost its significance after a Jewish remnant returned to rebuild Jerusalem.
In the study of Moral Theology, we learn that freedom is the basis for morality. Without freedom, man cannot choose. Then, he cannot be held responsible for his choice and subsequent actions. Morality becomes meaningless.
But to what extent are we free? Behaviourists, like Watson and Skinner, try to show that freedom is an illusion. We are all conditioned through reinforcements to do a certain set of behaviours. Of course, behaviourism is inadequate in explaining human actions. But what about the Bible?
But to what extent are we free? Behaviourists, like Watson and Skinner, try to show that freedom is an illusion. We are all conditioned through reinforcements to do a certain set of behaviours. Of course, behaviourism is inadequate in explaining human actions. But what about the Bible?
According to Genesis, man is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). The Church Fathers interpreted this as saying that man has an inborn tendency to seek God. Then, are we free? Do we have the freedom not to choose God? Affirmative.
Firstly, God must be a free agent. If God is free, man should also be free because man is made in His image.
Secondly, the story of Adam and subsequent characters amply demonstrate that man has the freedom not to choose God.
Then God called and elected a certain group of people. God gave them guidelines to follow. These are Jews and Christians. Do they have freedom?
As for the Israelites and Jews, when they did not follow the commandments, they were punished. The harshest punishment came when they did not listen to the warnings of the prophets and were conquered by the Assyrians and later, the Babylonians. They were exiled. It shows that they still had the freedom not to obey God.
Let no one rejoice over me, a widow and bereaved of many; I was left desolate because of the sins of my children, because they turned away from the law of God.
They had no regard for his statutes; they did not walk in the ways of God's commandments, nor tread the paths of discipline in his righteousness (Baruch 4:12-13).
They were very much like school children or prisoners. When they did not obey, they were punished. Do we say prisoners are free, students are free? Negative. The Jews had no choice but to follow God's commandments lest they would be punished. Too bad. Freedom could only be expressed in terms of disobeying God! If obeying God fails to demonstrate freedom and disobeying Him is disastrous, is there a third way to demonstrate human freedom? Has God opened up the third way for us?
Firstly, God must be a free agent. If God is free, man should also be free because man is made in His image.
Secondly, the story of Adam and subsequent characters amply demonstrate that man has the freedom not to choose God.
Then God called and elected a certain group of people. God gave them guidelines to follow. These are Jews and Christians. Do they have freedom?
As for the Israelites and Jews, when they did not follow the commandments, they were punished. The harshest punishment came when they did not listen to the warnings of the prophets and were conquered by the Assyrians and later, the Babylonians. They were exiled. It shows that they still had the freedom not to obey God.
Let no one rejoice over me, a widow and bereaved of many; I was left desolate because of the sins of my children, because they turned away from the law of God.
They had no regard for his statutes; they did not walk in the ways of God's commandments, nor tread the paths of discipline in his righteousness (Baruch 4:12-13).
They were very much like school children or prisoners. When they did not obey, they were punished. Do we say prisoners are free, students are free? Negative. The Jews had no choice but to follow God's commandments lest they would be punished. Too bad. Freedom could only be expressed in terms of disobeying God! If obeying God fails to demonstrate freedom and disobeying Him is disastrous, is there a third way to demonstrate human freedom? Has God opened up the third way for us?
You may argue that the Jews were blessed, elected to be God's instrument to bring salvation to all humanity. There is a price to pay for all the sins committed as a consequence of freedom. The Jews were elected to bear the burden of salvation. In the end, salvation comes only from God.
For just as you purposed to go astray from God, return with tenfold zeal to seek him.
For he who brought these calamities upon you will bring you everlasting joy with your salvation (Baruch 4:28-29)
This is only natural. Only God can do it. Nobody else can. He did it in a way beyond our imagination. All the burden of salvation focussed on a single Jew, Jesus and he brought freedom to all Christians.
So, is Christian freedom the third way? Is Christian freedom a genuine one?
For just as you purposed to go astray from God, return with tenfold zeal to seek him.
For he who brought these calamities upon you will bring you everlasting joy with your salvation (Baruch 4:28-29)
This is only natural. Only God can do it. Nobody else can. He did it in a way beyond our imagination. All the burden of salvation focussed on a single Jew, Jesus and he brought freedom to all Christians.
So, is Christian freedom the third way? Is Christian freedom a genuine one?
Dear Lord, the question of freedom is a difficult one. My reasoning is very confusing. Enlighten me that I may understand better and live this precious freedom up. Amen.
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