[Milton-L] (no subject)

[James Rovira]

This was an intriguing post.  I think Milton's God seems to consistently
present formidable, but not insurmountable, obstacles to disobedience.
Satan's escape from Hell was frightening enough that no other demon wanted
to attempt it, we should recall.  Sin's natural propensity would be toward
Hell, not toward an unfallen earth (to respond to another listmember's
post), where it is exposed and vulnerable.

I think the purpose of formidable but not insurmountable obstacles is that a
certain strength of will and commitment is required to overcome them.  Any
choice in this direction is therefore deliberate.  To create insurmountable
obstacles to disobedience is simply to remove choice.  To create formidable
obstacles is not only to allow choice to remain, but for this choice to be a
matter of sustained commitment rather than inertia or accident.

Perhaps the best contemporary analogue is The Truman Show: formidable
obstacles (paralyzing fear of the ocean which was the product of his
father's [staged] death in a sailing accident), hurricane strength weather
as he sailed away from his island, any number of subtle and not so subtle
emotional (manipulative wife) and material (comfortable job) traps, etc.  He
didn't get out until he wanted out, and wanted nothing more.  Choice under
these conditions is self defining choice.

Jim R

On Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 11:00 AM, Michael Bryson <michael.bryson at csun.edu>wrote:

> Someone who does not intend the wolf to fail.
>
> An alternate view, to be sure, Christy, but there it is...
>
> Michael Bryson
>
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