Types of Crucibles
Crucibles are severe tests that challenge one's faith. Otherworldly spirits, people or nature may present these trials. Crucibles often serve as core stories in a religious doctrine and are designed to inspire people to have faith during difficult times. These tales frequently become ingrained in the culture as reference points for other ordeals, as in She has the patience of Job, or He was like Daniel in the lion's den.
The Crucible of Evil
Also called the Crucible of Satan or the Devil. Evil spirits tempt those of strong faith to commit sin or abandon their beliefs, often through bribery. Examples of this include Satan tempting Jesus in the desert and Mara tempting Buddha under the bo tree. Demons can challenge lesser beings, too. Satan believes that Job will lose faith if God inflicts great misery upon him only to be proven wrong.
The Crucible of Good
Also called the Crucible of God, this trial involves a supreme undergoing an immense hardship before someone. Among these are God sending Jesus Christ to Earth to redeem mankind's sin through his death on the cross, and ordering Abraham to kill his son Isaac to prove his faith. Sometimes the afflicted must complete the challenge, sometimes not as in the case of God sending an angel to keep Abraham from sacrificing his son.
The Crucible of Man
This test comes from unbelievers who challenge an individual's faith before being defeated. Daniel is told that he cannot pray because it is against the law. He does so anyway and is sealed in a den of lions where his faith keeps him safe. The lions then set upon those who accused him of breaking the law. Local merchants offer Muhammad wealth and prestige if he abandons Islam, but he refuses, only to destroy the old religion.
The Crucible of Sin
Also the Crucible of Temptation, this test comes from personal weakness and the breaking of a divine law or command. In Hinduism, the first level of human existence is pleasure, and until one gives up such sin, he cannot progress to the next level.
This crucible stands alone among the others in that the challenged individual often succumbs to the temptation but later repents or is punished. Adam and Eve give way to ambition and eat from the Tree of Knowledge, only to be banned from the Garden of Eden. Augustine, a philanderer, sums up the difficulties of this crucible when praying, God, save me from my sins! Just not yet.
The Crucible of Aging
This crucible is at the center of Buddhism, since it leads the Buddha to seek a better path after realizing that people grow old and die. It is also a challenge to other religions to ensure that faith is strengthened and not weakened by despair or bitterness as people face impending death. Methuselah, Abraham, Noah and many other biblical persons are granted long life for being virtuous.
The Crucible of Sickness
This trial examines how people respond to illness and physical disabilities, replete with examples of faith being the cure for such maladies. Jesus heals the blind, the lame, lepers and others through faith if he recognizes them as true believers.
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