Evolution took a long time (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, February 16, 2017, 20:30 (2837 days ago) @ dhw

dhw:As one hypothesis concerning God’s purpose, I have proposed that he created life as a show or spectacle for himself to enjoy watching. You have vehemently opposed this hypothesis. However, you are quite sure that he created the whole of life, that he remains hidden, but is definitely interested in following what we do. Perhaps you dislike the word “enjoy”, but I can’t see that as being more humanizing than “watch with interest”. And if he is watching, I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t call what he is watching a show or spectacle. So please explain to me why it is unreasonable to suppose that if your all-purposeful God created the whole of life, including humans, and is definitely watching with interest, it may have been his purpose to create something that he could watch (a spectacle) with interest (enjoyment).

I think of God as all purposeful. He is not human, a special personage. He may not feel a need for enjoyment, but since we are His goal in creation, I would think He would observe and watch. Perhaps He feels some pleasure in watching what He created. But you may prefer a more personal God than I am describing. We cannot know that or expect it. On the other hand I do try to approach Him personally.