Ed Zubrow wrote:

>Absolutely right Len.  I agree it is Abraham's choice.  But that opens the
>question: What kind of God allows such atrocities to occur?

It is the kind of God who along with mercy, allows for free will on the
part of His creations.  God is willing to step in, but only when He is
asked.

>If, by definition, He is not cruel, then He must be either weak and unable
>to adequately influence the affairs of men.  Or, He is aware that there is
>a salvation ahead that revokes the death and suffering on earth.  Great art
>and music can be created to explore either of these alternatives.  I merely
>suggested what I think Britten's take on this is.

Since the salvation story (in the Christian sense at least) was already
well known to Britten, it is a moot point that he would question it or
ascribe any weakness to God.

Kevin Sutton