Green Eggs and Ham Again

James White has an article responding to Roger Olson’s use of what I’ve called the green-eggs-and-ham argument. Olson tells of being asked this question:

If it was revealed to you in a way you couldn’t question or deny that the true God actually is as Calvinism says and rules as Calvinism affirms, would you still worship him?

He goes on:

I said no, that I would not because I could not. Such a God would be a moral monster.

The green-eggs-and-ham argument disturbs me every time I hear it. You’ll want to read all of all of White’s response.

Comments

[Brandon]

It's a type of argument I have difficulty taking as serious, and the reason is that its proponents so rarely turn it around and ask the obvious question: What does it say about your own character if God Himself could tell you He has good reason for something and you just refuse to believe Him?

[rebecca]

I don't think much of the argument, either, but Olson seems to think it's a strong one because he keeps using it.

What does it say about the character of someone who uses it? Intransigence? Hubris?

[Brandon]

I suspect it would be different for different people. But it's certainly true that there's something troublesome about putting one's own judgment above omniscience.

I wonder if people are really using it as a sort of stopping rule -- that is, once it's said, there's really no more to be said, and no point in discussing the matter further. Leaving no wiggle room, it just forces everyone to take it or leave it.