P. S. I commented on Brydon's blog.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
God the Utilitarian
Ok. The question has been asked as to the state of things "aesthetic." My personal opinion, for this is surely my opinion and I shall not claim to be writing concrete fact and even seek to be challenged on this point, pulling from chapter 27 where Augustine states, "No sinner is to be loved as a sinner." God can't enjoy us because then he'd be enjoying sin. He loves us. Enjoyment, it seems, is the state of loving the use of something. For God to use us He has to use our sin. And he does not love sin. Does this make God utilitarian? Well sure! Does this totally discount God's nature still being imbued in the aesthetic things of life which have no practical use like beauty or art? I don't believe so. Not at this point in my studies. But nevertheless I do still believe that we serve an objective God. I believe that the highest mission is the glorification of Yahweh. Likewise we should be objective. In everything we do. And with everyone with which we interact. Is objectivity bad? Not in this connotation. For as we've already seen God is our highest good. If we are constantly, intentionally pushing our action towards him and towards his glorification then we also are objective and, necessarily, utilitarian. Just like the Lord. For we no longer are looking to just have something of this world which can be enjoyed for itself. For everything earthly now becomes a tool to help us step closer to Him. Perhaps I've contradicted myself somewhere. But I am merely clay speculating the inner workings of my potter's mind. Feel free to expound on this!
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I really like how you contrasted "happiness" and "enjoyment". Its just like many things we do as humans. We don't "enjoy" going to the doctor, but the outcome of the visit will, more than likely, make us "happy". It's kind of a sobering thought to consider that sometimes, because of our actions, God doesn't enjoy us. Wow.
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes. Yes. I love what you have done. I read into this. My concern was enjoyment. Are we not to enjoy the things around us. I have recently have been introduced to this idea that in our love for Him and growing to know Him, we begin to love all that He has created. So like you have said, what about art and things alike? I am definitely no where near ready to give a definite explanation, but taking all that I have learned thus far would say to me that, if it of Him, we may enjoy it, but still, I am a bit lost.
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