Ben Sira Essay -- Bible, Attributes Ascribed to God

WISDOM OF BEN-SIRAHow does the former of the book justify the trade good of graven image in the looking at of the vile present in the creation?ANSWERBen-Siras theology, though not systematic, offers a coherent founding of the sets of belief necessary in understanding and living the Jewish cartel (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 940). In this regard, i important question that has been communicate by the author is the front line of immortal vis--vis the presence of evil in the world. In addressing the question the author has laid down his Doctrine of God and from at that place explain how evil is present and persist in the face of the goodness of God.Ben-Siras doctrine of God affirms the Judaic concept that there is only ace God. This becomes significant not only because it re-echoes the Jewish opinion but because it counters the touch of the belief on pluralist God, which was the dominant notion or belief during the ancient period. This concept is significant in understan ding of the notion of god vis--vis evil because as it removes the plurality of gods, it opened the tension between the goodness of God and the presence of evil. This tension necessitates justification as the presence of evil in the world does not only posits a contradiction in terms to the goodness of God but it also acts as a counter-claim for the one God being each-powerful. Ben-Sira claims that there be certain attributes ascribed to God alone. These are God is one and the same (4221). God is eternal (4221). God is the all and in all (4327). This means that God is both transcendent and congenital in all creation (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 940). God is the agent (G1). God is powerful and His power is humanityifested in the creation when He created everything turn out from His words (3917-1... ...ce ill-gotten goodsPresents from the lawless do not win Gods favorThe Most High approves not the gifts of the godless,nor for their many sacrifices does he forgive their sinsOn the other hand, To keep the law is great offering And whoever observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offeringIn works of charity one offers a fine flourAnd when he gives alms he presents the sacrifice of evaluateTo refrain from evil pleases GodAnd to avoid injustice is an atonement (35 1-5)For the author the goodness of God remains despite the reality and face of evil in the world because evil is the result of mans weakness, of man using his free will to veer away from the laws and opt to continue in sin. God in all his power shows the utmost abide by on mans freedom by not terrific his will on men but by respecting his choice to be good or to be evil.