Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

53.0. "The Will of God" by ANKH::SMITH (Passionate committment/reasoned faith) Tue Oct 09 1990 22:57

    Leslie D. Weatherhead was known as a great preacher and a "pioneer in
    the field of psychology and religion" and was the minister of City
    Temple in London, England.  He wrote two books that I know about
    -- and many more that I *don't* know about.  Those two areL
    
    The Manner of the Resurrection 
    	in the light of modern science and psychical research (1959)
    
    The Will of God
    
    I have a copy of the first book, but not of the second, which is what I
    want to discuss.  Weatherhead talked about three wills of God.  I
    remember what they were about but do not remember the precise terms he
    applied in talking about them:
    
    1) First, there is the Ideal Will of God.  (I haven't the vaguest idea
       if this is what he called it!)  It is what God willed for
       the world and for individuals before sin.  For example, as I
       understand it, this is what God would will for your marriage if you and
       your spouse were perfect.  (Maybe I forgot the term Weatherhead used
       for this because the Ideal Will of God is never fulfilled! :( )
    
    2) Second, there is the Circumstantial Will of God.  (I'm not sure
       whether this is the right term.)  This is God's Will in the given
       situation, allowing us our free will.  For example, suppose it is
       God's Ideal Will for you to have a perfect marriage.  If your husband
       beats you, however, it may be God's Circumstantial Will for you to
       leave your husband and get a divorce.
    
    3) Finally, there is the Ultimate Will of God.  This refers to the
       belief that God's will for the world will eventually triumph. 
       Because God has given us free will, His will is not achieved in every
       situation where He would like for it to be.  But His overall plan
       will ultimately triumph.
    
    
    As I said in the beginning, I have not expressed this as well as I
    would like to.  If someone "out there" has Weatherhead's book, I sure
    hope you will make the necessary corrections and clarifications. 
    Anyway, this has influenced my thinking a lot regarding some of the
    other topics currently being discussed -- specifically abortion and
    situation ethics.
    
    Nancy