An understanding of divine love often arises against the backdrop of an ideal of omnipresent, unconditional care and benevolence, while human experience may be accompanied by cruelty and suffering.

God’s Creative Paradox

An understanding of divine love often arises against the backdrop of an ideal of omnipresent, unconditional care and benevolence, while human experience may be accompanied by cruelty and suffering. One can assume that this contradiction stems from the limitations of our perception: we observe individual moments and phenomena that do not always capture the full depth and completeness of the Creator’s design.

On the one hand, the biblical account of the creation of the world emphasizes the idea of an ordered, structured cosmos with man occupying a central role. As V. Lossky writes, “at the center of the Universe, there beats the heart of man” – this is not merely a symbol of geocentrism, but an indication of the spiritual unity between man and the material world (source: link txt). Here, a picture of creation is formed where every phenomenon, whether it is the alternation of day and night or the distribution of substances, has its own place and significance in the overall design. This underscores that the Creator’s actions, grounded in love and wisdom, are directed towards establishing order in nature.

On the other hand, the emphasis on God’s creative labor, as described in another excerpt stating, “He measured the heavens with His hands, and the earth with His palm. So do not flatter God… He created all this. For His glory is greater when He has put in the effort” (source: link txt), reminds us that the process of creation involves displays of strength and determination. These qualities, by human standards, might be perceived as cruel or severe. Yet, it is precisely through labor and authority that the Creator not only brings forth creation but also sustains, “manifests,” and remains present throughout all that is created. In other words, even if certain aspects evoke a sensation of cruelty, they are elements of a more complex and harmonious plan in which love is inextricably intertwined with strength and order.

Thus, the conceptions of divine love and the experience of cruelty can be seen as two sides of the same phenomenon: God’s love, expressed in the unconditional drive to establish order in the cosmos, combines with the exercise of force and determination necessary for creating and maintaining that order. Ultimately, the image of God as the Creator of the universe demonstrates that even apparent cruelty is part of a broader design, in which love manifests itself through the creative process that establishes harmony among the various elements of existence.