Moby Dick and open theism
There’s a passage in Moby-Dick that reminds me of that recent American theological fad, “open theism.” The native cannibal harpooneer, Queequeg, is lovingly devoted to a “black little god” named Yojo, and he is careful to consult Yojo about the future.
In chapter 16, the narrator says: “I have forgotten to mention that, in many things, Queequeg placed great confidence in the excellence of Yojo’s judgment and surprising forecast of things; and cherished Yojo with considerable esteem, as a rather good sort of god, who perhaps meant well enough upon the whole, but in all cases did not succeed in his benevolent designs.”
Ben, change Queenqueg to Clark Pinnock, and I think it fits.
Have you heard the joke about God not having heard the joke about open theism?
Dag, I think we have a small plague of "Queequegs" in this generation.
Post a Comment