This paper was originally researched and written in December of 2000. This was about 5 months after the birth of our first (and only surviving) daughter. Later, in 2002, and again in 2003, my wife had bizarre miscarriages which endangered her life and obviously took the lives of our two other children.
I begin this way for two reasons. The first is that this is a painful issue for many, myself included, and I am hoping that all who might leave comments or questions will realize the grace and sensitivity the topic merits. The second reason is that I want to be honest about my theology. I have always attempted to disconnect my experience from the construction of my theology. I know that this is partially impossible, but I believe we must let the text guide us, not our feelings or experiences (though they might help us ask the right questions of the text).