(no subject)

David Stockhoff · 17 Dec 2010, 01:27 · from 2010-December.txt.gz

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From: dstockhoff at verizon.net (David Stockhoff)
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:27:46 -0500
Subject: (urth) (no subject)
In-Reply-To: <92848d55ec3b5b0f454efe84891fe6a7.squirrel at webmail.prismnet.com>
References: <SNT123-W16D08B9FE0ACA25CE25D62CF140 at phx.gbl>	<4D35F4794AE94278BA718E442C77D355@jill>
	<4D0A45DC.80902 at verizon.net>	<9584549FDDAE461C89DC49B5A1F65AA7@jill>
	<4D0A625A.5060807 at verizon.net>	<424AF04E-D90A-4970-B6D1-E0E4DB231B05 at butcherbaker.org>	<4D0A655E.2000708 at verizon.net>	<7BBB17B2-BC8A-48B9-AB2B-FF56AA024D0C at butcherbaker.org>	<4D0A917D.4000200 at verizon.net>
	<92848d55ec3b5b0f454efe84891fe6a7.squirrel at webmail.prismnet.com>
Message-ID: <4D0ABC92.6020303 at verizon.net>

I think this issue is a critical point. Certainly something to be 
addressed in discussing whether entire universes may have been left in 
the dark by chance or intent.

Personally, I envision infinite universes which are ruthlessly pruned as 
needed, as Severian drowned Urth, in a process akin to natural 
selection. I understand if this idea is distasteful to some, and I can't 
support it from the text even though we know this principle applies to 
life on Earth.

But why else would entire races of beings work to uplift one (even the 
one that received the Logos), if there were not some background process 
that was deemed insufficient?

On 12/16/2010 6:25 PM, Jeff Wilson wrote:
>> Better check with the theologians on that. Here, Wolfe's probable
>> beliefs must trump our own.
> The concept of "anonymous Christianity" is built on the precept that
> Christ's sacrifice is sufficient to save everyone for all times, and that
> His transcendent grace is not restricted by human ignorance of the gospel.
> This is held to allow innocent pagans, unbaptized infants, etc. to
> constructively embrace salvation without exposure to the gospel or the
> capacity to intellectually comprehend it. There's a sort of darker side to
> it, in that missionaries who bring the good news give people who otherwise
> wouldn't the chance to affirmatively embrace it but also to overtly reject
> it.
>
> _
>
>


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