- Apr 2021
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rampages.us rampages.us
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Yet the Fall did take place - as God knew it was going to. Was God thussimply thwarted? Or was the Fall really, at some secret level, something hewilled? Perhaps the most famous response to these questions is the so-called paradox of the Fortunate Fall, according to which the sin of Adamand Eve was a happy fault, a felix culpa, because 'if it had never occurred,the Incarnation and Redemption could never have occurred' (Lovejoy,
(cont. to end of first sentence on pg. 156) I think it is fun to approach the text as the Fall being, as Danielson is saying here, "at some secret level, something he willed". If God has given Adam and Eve free will yet still wants to remain the highest worshiped being, there would have to be something keeping those two on their toes...God can't be held accountable, though. Even with Raphael sent to warn the pair, it doesn't truly help. They end up partying for God's sake. This subplot adds a depth to God that I find gives the character a new layer of authority.
That being said, I have no religious background at all. I wonder if its more difficult to lose the perspective of the "Fortunate Fall." If I had approached this story of creation from a religious perspective that was very true to me, it would be a difficult lens to shake.
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One mustconclude, says Milton in Christian Doctrine, that 'neither God's decree norhis foreknowledge can shackle free causes with any kind of necessity'. Forotherwise, God himself is made 'the cause and author of sin';
I took "Bible as Literature" last semester and we discussed something similar to this- the phenomenon of people blaming God for bad things that happen to them. "Why would you let me lose my job? I donate to charity every year!" or something like that, for example. If God stifled free will, and had ultimate control without giving choice, it would be giving a free pass for blame. Giving free will to humans adds accountability, and in turn would strengthen their faith in God...and keep God off the hook.
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theodicy
theodicy: vindication of God, explains why God would allow evil
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Nevertheless, Milton does not force the issue concerningbelief in God's mere existence, for that is something he simply assumes; forhim God's existence is a premise much more than a conclusion (see YP 6:130-2). In spite of the radical polarities of belief about God in ParadiseLost, its humans and devils and angels are united in this: they all believethat he is
I'm glad this is brought up. I think its really interesting that Milton, a devout Christian, was able to write something that retold a story from the bible- the characters being Christian icons- without needing to convince the readers that God is real/Christianity is the path to salvation. His intention was not to convert readers, but to write! By carefully crafting PL's character relationships, the importance of faith is naturally conveyed through the dialogue between all characters.
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