Interpreting God's Pattern Recognition-Personal Narrative

Instead of looking at the world in a liberal and conservative belief people should view trusting that God will provide in a different aspect. Due to the Lord, Calvin states, “We are set free from anxiety and fear. (77)” Except the question that everyone is asking is why would God allow “bad” things to happen to innocent people? By the time that Darwin came around, providence was demolishing because it was not considered a topic of great value. To truly understand providence we need to not make up stories about why suffering happens, but try to understand it the best we can. We are not alone and should not let suffering be the last important thing remembered after a situation. Our lives have purpose but often times, “Our ordinary lives often
God is the “writer” of human history and the relationships that people share are real and proof that God is with us. God has worked in the past and is working in the presence because, “ Each person’s story remains important, but its importance is enhanced when it becomes a sign of God’s story that stretches from creation to consummation. (82)” This bold statement relates to Pattern Recognition within different parts of culture these patterns show that there are many ways to piece together different parts of history. People may never piece together history perfectly, and shouldn’t try, but be content with what information God gives us. Suffering, for example in terms of the Holocaust could be correlated to a bible story that, “Though it would not explain the suffering, would place the suffering in a narrative that would not render it hopeless. (84)” Relating stories to the stories in the Bible gives people hope because it helps them realize that there is much more ahead in their lives. Since we are part of God’s “story,” he gives our lives meaning and purpose and God doesn’t cause evil. Instead, God is good and, “Assures that evil cannot have the final word.
Although Jesus doesn’t go around punishing people who are “greedy,” “Jesus seeks to dispel the illusion that wealth can be a buffer against misfortune. (134)” Others think that being rich will save them, and to some extent it does and is good to have savings in case of an emergency, but is a sin if money comes before God. Adam Smith who wrote the Wealth of Nations concluded that peoples own self-interests ends up helping everyone as a whole. Since rich people don’t use all their things, there is a benefit in them getting more wealth because essentially they will have to share. Smith also argues that people should not serve others but just continue doing what they are doing because everything will work out. There is an assumption that, “inequality arises from God’s decision rather than from human injustice or exploitation. (137)” Instead of being fearful we should trust in God because then we can know how to be generous. We don’t need more than what God provides and should not take more than what we need and share with others. Charity is a way to give but it has a negative aspect due to the power that the giver has over the taker. To help, businesses should promote generosity when producing and selling goods. “The job of generous business is to participate in the flow of that abundance. (143)” A way for churches to give is through the Sabbath because it upholds the belief