God as Parent
nA righteous God must punish evil.
nParents sometimes do this by direct action.
nSometimes they let events take their course.
nSuffering is often needed to encourage maturity.
nParents gradually let up on control so the child makes its own decisions.
nThey let up on protection so the child learns actions have consequences.
nThey let up on punishment so child does right for the right reasons.