Euthyphro's Dilemma

#1

Euthyphro had a dilemma and I want to know what you think. The dilemma is this:

A. Does God approve an action because it's good?

or

B. Is an action good because God approves it?

There are some problems with both of them.

With A that means that God didn't set up right and wrong. And if he didn't, then why would we follow God? Why wouldn't we just seek for what right is and bypass God. I mean, He seems to be following this order of right and wrong also.

With B it means that you have to call everything that God does good. In the Bible He has ordered whole cities to be slaughtered and everything living killed. If you go with B then that means you'd have to call that good.

There are other problems with both of them but that's basically what doesn't work with both of them. I really don't see a 3rd choice either.

So what's right?

#2

Wow, trash, this is a really good topic, or so I think...Lets see...

I'm going to have to go with B...

It allows for a more logical approach to life and living as a human being trying to ascend higher...Any other approach makes it purposeless to live a life...

#3

I would have to agree with you, I think, that B is right. If A was right, then God wouldn't be God because He'd be following someone/something else.

#4

Yes, B it is..

Remember, God "slaughtered whole cities" to accomplish The Greatest Good, even if He had to sacrifice those cities in order to accomplish that..

#5

But then you are saying that it's good to slaughter cities right? It's good to kill thousands of people to reach the greatest good? I think that B is right but it's hard to swallow

#6

not good..more like necessary..God didnt wanna flood the earth, but it was necessary in order to accomplish the best..

#7

Ok...I see what you're saying there....

#8

A plain and simple. (answering this as a hypothetical theologian, citing scripture and common mythologies as evidence)

The Biblical God does not determine what is "good", but he has knowledge of Good and Evil. He often has an understanding before performing an action that an action or event may be good or evil. but this is by no means absolute, as evidenced twice in genesis, but especially in the Book of Job.

a more advance and less hypothetical answer is

the question becomes a dilemna because it is unanswerable without limiting God to a conceivable idea. This limit allows you to form the context of the question. God however, by ESSENCE, is unlimited. you answer will not apply.

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raum

#9

It is our UNDERSTANDING of God that is ever changing. God as Essence doesn't change, but our knowledge and interpretation does. In the OT times (floods and disasters) the people needed to have an understanding as to why these terrible events happened. The understanding of God as a wrathful, judge helped them put some of these events into a perspective they could get a handle on and helped keep the people in line.

In NT times, the understanding shifted to a "God is Love" perspective. Did God change? No. Did our understanding and knowledge change? Yes. Are we continuing to develop our understanding of God and re-examine how we interact in the world? Perhaps. There are many that are still stuck in the OT understanding as there are many who just want to stay with the NT understanding. I prefer to continue to dig and learn and redevelop my understanding and relationship.

#10

well put, dd.

the real ordeal of our world is to take God beyond a biblical understanding, and one of the Best tools for that could ironically be, the Bible!

The Bible states this; it is what The Apocalypse says, if you are wondering where. The idea of "doxa" or sacred writings, is fine. But the modern church and the ignorant seem to want a monopoly on the book.

But even in the Old Testament of the Bible, we see inclinations that there are those aspects which are hidden to men and sacred to God.

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. (Isaiah 45:3)

and we all know this instinctually, but doubt can hold back that truth.

Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. Isaiah (48:6)

and the church used to acknowledge that...

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (I Corinthians 2:7)

but this requires patience and persistence:

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (I Corinithians 4:5)

and it is a personal experience, understood only be the individual and the Lord.

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.(I Peter 3:4)

and It is the True Secret of the Philosopher's Stone, and Alchemy of the Soul.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelations 2:17)

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