Do You Ever Wonder?
Do you have questions about God and faith that you wish you knew more about? I was thinking about God while watching the show Hopkins where they were showing children who were dying of cancer. It made me think, if God is so powerful and good why does he allow the innocent to suffer in such a painful way? I then started thinking of other questions such as: If God is so righteous and holy where did evil come from? Has evil always been around like God? Did he create it? If God is so fair then why do the righteous and the unrighteous suffer in the same ways? Have you ever thought of these questions? What do you think about these questions?
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 10:44:00 PM
56 Comments:
My daughter wants to know why God lets children in China die in earthquakes and children in Myanmar/Burma die in floods and children in Rwanda die in genocide. These children haven't had the opportunity to even hear the gospel.
That's why I am where I am today. All those questions without any adequate answers.
You ask hard and important questions. The view that we Christians have ready, snap answers is quite non compelling to me. I think we have to leave those in God's hands, yet at the same time we can question God like Job did, surely. Though maybe a large part of what we learn through Job is that we must simply trust God and seek him. This sounds like a cop out, but in the end it is God who sorts all things out.
Now just look at our own lives. There are things in them which make little or no sense at all. It seems like this is part of what God wants and is doing in this life. I hardly know why or for what at times, but I would say with the disciples of old, "Lord, to whom else can we go. For you have the words of eternal life, and we believe you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God."
So much of what happens in the world and in our world seems to make no sense at all. But maybe that's because faith is so important here. That we're to trust God no matter what, and in spite of so many things. And to grow in that trust. So like Job we can say, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him."
Morning ,
and yes I do wonder! But if we could know all the answers to your Questions could we handle it? would we be better off knowing?
Preacherman hope you and your family are well
blessings
Preacherman,
I like it that you keep us thinking.
You are not afraid to ask the tough questions.
I agree with Ted.
Alot of times we as Christians want to have quick answers to everything. When it is totally okay to just say, "I don't know".
Well, the Bible does tell us that everything was perfect before the FALL. After the FALL, everything was imperfect.
Since we live in a FALLEN world, evil abounds. Bad things happen because of the choice of Adam and the continued choices of mankind.
However the grace of God is sufficient if we totally trust Him and His finished work at Calvary.
I, for instance, have heart problems.
God did not give them to me. They are the result of an imperfect body that has deteriorated over the years as a natural result of the sin into which I was born.
I'm very grateful for God's wonderful grace.
I don't think the answers to these questions are that easy. I hold the view that we are not born sinners. I look at my new born and there is no way she sins.
Hey Kinney! Absolutely, I have thought about those things. About five years a good friend of mine suffered greatly with cancer. Her suffering caused a bump in my discipleship. I wondered why she had to suffer. But, it was also during this time (in prayer with her) that I felt the presence of Christ in a way that I never had before. I realized that although she suffered, she did not suffer alone, Christ was right there with her. It was an amazing feeling.
I enjoyed the book "The Shack." Although, there are some things we won't know until the earth stops groaning, I thought William Young did a pretty good job answering some of these questions.
Preacherman,
You raise the enduring and profound questions. I like what the wisdom writer of Ecclesiastes says, "There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless. So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.
When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth—his eyes not seeing sleep day or night- then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.
Like Stan says above, sometimes we just have to say "I don't know."
John Frye
Thanks again for making us think Kinney. I agree with the posts that mention the confidence in saying, "I don't know." If we knew WHY regarding these things, there wouldn't be a need for faith.
I also agree with chaos/turmoil/suffering only beginning after the Fall. That's why the ultimate restoration is such a great thing.
One more thing: I think it's important to recognize our suffering, challenges, or turmoil while never accusing God of something He's not responsible for. Too often we blame God for things that happen (earthquakes, floods, etc.). There's a huge difference in cause and allowance.
Just some thoughts Bro!
Blessings,
Mike
On the contrary, sirs, God does cause earthquakes and hurricanes. He set things in motion knowing their ends, good and evil.
Isaiah 45:7: "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil [chaos]: I the LORD do all these things."
magdalune,
Suffering[chaos] only began after mankind's rebellion in the Garden of Eden. God was clear that before the Fall and after, there were consequences for man's decisions.
Because of the original sin, the entire world has been in flux. This will continue until Christ returns and restores all things (including weather patterns).
This in no way eliminates God's sovereignty. He's still on the throne. He could stop anything He wanted (including natural disaster). Again, the consequences of man's choice brings the chaos.
The passage you quote is in regards to Cyrus (a nonbeliever) that God uses to excise judgment on God's people. In other words, because of His sovereignty, God can do what He wills -including using a pagan to show God's power.
However, the idea that God causes disasters (rather than allows them to happen) doesn't fit the primary character of God (Love). In other words, God allows these things because of man's choice.
Whether you agree or not, i hope I'm clear. I apologize for the length of the response.
Blessings!
Mike
Kinney - Good questions. I'd love to hear your answer.
I agree with Magdalune somewhat. God created the world. It spins by His design. Humans were given free choice by His design. If it is His design then that goes beyond allowance and into the realm of Cause.
Now we get into the hard questions. What do we do with God's design? Do we like or dislike His design? Does our preference negate God? Is he any less real simply because we don't like how he chose to set up the system? God creating is the same as humans procreating. A man and a woman get together and have a child. The parents CHOSE to reproduce. The child, on the other hand, has NO CHOICE in the matter of whether or not they are created, they simply are. That child does have a choice on whether or not it will love the parents. The parents do have a choice on whether or not they will treat and raise the child in a loving manner.
We are God's children. He brought us into the world... into this system. He loves us and is a good parent. It is our choice as children to accept and love Him. If we don't, He doesn't cease to exist any more than a parent ceases to exist simply because they reject their parents.
Does that makes sense, or did I ramble.
JH
Preacherman,
I love the way your questions remind me to have a simple faith in God. Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. It came right when I needed it.
All the best to you.
tw
anonymous #1: Quite aside from our opinions on the subject, the Bible clearly teaches that we ARE born in sin.
Even a new born baby soon learns that if he/she cries in a certain way Moma will come running, even if nothing is really wrong.
I know...I was one...or so I've been told.
The first sin we exhibit is "I want what I want when I want it and I want it right now.
It's called "I" trouble, and is the very reason Christ had to die to pay for our sins
Not too many years ago, Angi and I went to the funeral of the baby of a young couple who have been dear friends of ours. They knew from early prenatal exams that the baby, their second child, would not breathe very many times in this world, if at all.
At the funeral, the minister related that they had told him - and he quoted with their permission - that they didn't know why God had formed their baby in this way, nor why He had taken it home with Him so quickly.
But they also didn't know why He had blessed them with each other, with a loving marriage, or with a healthy, beautiful daughter who was then four years old.
Their wisdom and grace has sustained me through many such hard questions in life.
Two remarkable books that address these questions in refreshing ways.
1. The Reason for God by Timothy Keller
2.Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
Preacherman,
I like how you ask questions that many Christians are sometime afraid to ask or deal with because they are so deep. Thank you for asking these questions and I am amazed with the verse that Magdalune quoted. Didn't even know it was in the Bible. Thanks Magdalune.
Preacherman,
Thank you so much for this great discussion. I have often wondered about these questions. I think Keiths story is wonderful and Magdalune sharing the passage is also great. I have learned so much from everyone discussing this topic.
David
I agree that we won't know everything because as God says in Job, his ways are not our ways and our thoughts are not his thoughts. I don't understand why the innocent suffer with cancer, AIDS, etc. Is it sin? I think of Jesus answering the question who sinned that this man was born blind? His father or mother? Jesus response was no one sinned that this man was born blind. So, is it sin? Is it genetics? These questions I think we may never completely understand but as Joe mentioned God's grace should be suffiecent for us during those times of difficulty and confussion.
Todd
PreacherMan,
I actually wrote on the question of God creating evil. Though this evening, I was told (out of complete confusion) that I was not accedemically qualified to make such statements.
I conclude that God did create evil. You see, for God to be edified by man's obedience to Him, there would have to be adversity. I also see evidence in the scripture that Satan was (Or is) and instrument of God. Take a peak at this Blog Item to understand what Biblical evidence draws me to this conclussion.
Satan's Relationship With God
Well, I could bring up more verses saying how much God does and knows, but it's been a while since I've read the Bible through. I'm going through it again, now, so that I can remember more and just generally know more - I'm only in Genesis right now.
But for the record, the Bible is full of wondrous and terrible things that God did or inspired. Just in the Pentateuch - which, of the Old Testament, I'm most familiar with - we have the Great Flood, plagues, wandering through the desert, pillars of fire and cloud, spontaneous death... and punishment of the human race for the mistakes of only a few. These are the acts of a God of Love and forgiveness.
Btw, Kinney, I hope this is the right forum to discuss this - after all, many of these are questions that I've asked and am pursuing answers to.
If not, I can desist.
magdalune, if the bible is true, you are right.
Mike, just because you don't understand why God does what he does, don't mean we should ignore it.
As a pastor it is awesome to see people asking questions. Not because I have the answers, because I don't, but simply because they are seeking. I ask so many questions everyday, and I think that God is glorified in that. It shows a genuine interest in knowing Him. I encourage my congregation to ask questions, even though we may never get the answers, we will learn so much along the journey.
In one of the comments someone said that 'we are not born sinners.' Well, that is not true. When I am around babies and little children (which I love dearly) it just reminds how true total depravity is. That shouldn't discourage us, but encourage us in that fact that we are all in total need of Christ's redemption.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Part of faith is the ability and requirement to say "I don't know why". I remember Billy Graham's address after the towers fell on 9-11 in 2001. He spent about five minutes describing other disasters and how people always asked him "why?" His honest answer is and was "I don't know, but I know God loves everyone involved." (paraphrase) And that's the best we can do.
Kinney,
I think this is great!
We need to be asking and seeking how, why and who God is.
Magdalune,
I think you are defiantely qualified to answer and give advice on this discussion. We all don't know the word of God as we should. I think that is why we seek.
I have been away the last few days. I think this is a great discussion. I think everyone has great thoughts on this difficult topic. I think it is great that we seek truth. I think it is wonderful that as Chrisitans there are things to which we can simply say, "I don't know." Even though I don't know, yet I will put my trust and faith in God.
I think questions like this help build our faith in God. It is so cool to see everyone's different point of views.
I was amazed too at Isaiah 45:7. I also know that Jesus said, "God sends the rains to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous."
I believe in Gen. we see suffering as a result of the fall. Yet in Christ we are being renewed day by day which should give us hope.
I think it is great if we keep this discussion going for a while.
I think the book the Shack helps deal with this topic. Thanks Kinney for stretching our minds.
Bob Martin
Biblical study should make us humble. These are deep questions and cause us to think in a differnt way than we are used too.
You are right, I think all of us wonder. To a certain extent, I like to hide from these questions.
Why Matthew do you like to hide from these questions?
Just curious.
Don't these questions help our faith?
Maybe it is God's way of letting us know who is still in charge. Maybe the picture of an all powerful jealous, vengeful God that the bible paints has faded over the years, and has been replaced with a "Dad" figure
think; what would you do if you were walking by the mountain, as Moses was and saw the fire and heard a booming voice call your name, would you run toward the flame with open arms, or would you fall to the ground in fear and worship your God?
Laymond,
That brings into question whether God is constant in his deity-personality, which would support the idea that God is perfect, or whether he's changeable.
The God of the Pentateuch is more changeable, I've found, then he is later. He is even sometimes very human.
Deu 10:17
For the LORD your God [is] God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
Don't sound to humanly, or changeable
I'm talking more about Genesis and Exodus, really. More the story part of the Pentateuch than the law.
Laymond,
I understand where you are coming from and I see that we can respect, fear God who is our Father. He has always been refered to in terms of a Father. The Israelites where known as his "children".
Magdalune,
I respect where you are coming from and make a great point.
I respect and appreciate everyone's point of of views on this topic.
I think it is seeking deep questions that help us understand our relationship with God.
Preacherman,
What a wonderful post.
Thank you for asking the tough questions.
Bill
If God suddenly gave me all the answers to the questions you raised and more...how would it make a difference in my life today? The answer is it would not.
Ours is a life of faith, an absolute confident trust in the God of heaven. We rely on His character, His eternal attributes. He is just, right, loving, and wise. Knowing all the answers would not change us in my view.
In the context of eternity, all of the things you mention are but a tiny blip on the scale of God's eternal purposes. It seems I remember God asking once "Where were you when I hung the stars....?"
I'm content to let him be God. A wise fellow in our church says "The difference between me and God is that He never tries to be me".
Royce
"The difference between me and God is that He never tries to be me."
Jesus much? :D
But on a more serious note, I think these are worthwhile questions to ask rather than dismiss. If the answers to some of these questions are less than savory, the entire foundation of Christianity could crumble. I wouldn't call that unimportant.
I think it is important that we ask difficult questions too. Magdalune great thoughts.
i do not have any answers to these questions.
some may wonder than why i believe in God and in Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
i think that God knows the answer to this.
i can not give anyone the knowledge that it takes to prove the reality of God,
however, i do believe that God can.
there is a special knowledge that God can bring to anyone that seeks Him that is beyond our knowledge and causes faith in Him.
i have heard of some people that do not know of God, to have God speak to them.
all i know is that i knew of God and then when everything was taken away from me that i turned to God in need, and He was there. i needed to accept the reality of Jesus and make the ultimate decision of faith and understand the reality of my need of Him.
i understood my need, and i do not ask too many questions about how and why anymore. i have given that up to faith. i believe that only in faith do we receive the answers. faith brings us into relationship throught the Holy Spirit. it is true. one must have faith to begin.
how are we brought to this faith, you might ask?
if you are asking this question, you may one day be brought to faith in the Living God.
and others will be asking you these questions.
and you will not be able to answer them.
but, you will know in your heart and mind that it is the truth.
Jesus loves you,
Jesus is my Lord,
what more can i say?
just take the first step
in faith, and ask God to
show Himself to you.
Hey brother, thanks for the comment. I've been reading your blog for about a month now, guess I should comment :) I really appreciate your heart. Hopefully I will keep mine going regularly.
To your post: I think all humans have questions about God and why He does what He does. That's why the hardest thing in our religion is faith. No matter how well we can explain things, we have to admit that if God is all-powerful He let the Holocaust happen.
But the starting point for any real faith is realizing that God is wise, and I am a fool. I may never understand His plan, but I take comfort in that. Of course I have more thoughts, but for me the comfort is knowing I serve the God who made all things and has a purpose for everything.
Keep up the great work.
Kinney; you said “I understand where you are coming from and I see that we can respect, fear God who is our Father.”
There is a difference in respect and fear, you can respect your dad without fearing if you fail to obey, he will kill you!
Mt:10:28: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Who do you think he is talking about there? Well it isn’t Satan.
People need to take God at his word. Because that is all we have, GOD’S WORD.
We have gotten to the point where we say "Aw he wouldn't do that, he is just trying to scare us" "NO HE IS NOT" ask Noah when you see him.
I want to thank everyone for sharing your thoughts on this important issue. Thank you so much for your participation and ideas. It means alot to me that we are willing to share with eacho other questions such as these.
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