Your God kills people
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Hi paradoxdown,
May I ask, have you had some bad experiences with Christianity and/or Christians?
I was raised in church--my parents had me there the first Sunday they got me--and there have been many times I've wanted to walk (sometimes run) away because of various things I've seen or experienced within the church itself. And, I've been asking questions such as the ones you're asking all my life as well.
(I understand what you're saying about God killing people. In 2 Samuel 24, King David was the one who committed the sin, and yet he had to choose between 3 punishments God set out before him, resulting in God killing so many people that eventually, even He relented, and, finally chose to stop.) Why? Especially since even David himself said it was HIS fault, so why did so many others have to die?
One of the other things I'm sure you've accepted about life is that no matter what you choose to believe in or not, there are always going to be a lot of unanswered questions. We Christians have a hope that someday, when we come face-to-face with God, we might be able to ask Him ourselves (or maybe by then, it won't even matter.)
Many people in the Bible asked similar things as to what you're asking, but never received an answer, so the answer to your question, unfortunately, seems to be unanswerable--at least, in this current life.
Part of being alive is also accepting that life has questions we may never receive an answer to. If one chooses to believe in God, they accept this as part of believing in an Almighty God who, for whatever reason, keeps these things from us (I've heard it said that maybe we wouldn't understand even if He did tell us.)
Whether one chooses to believe in God or not, the fact remains, and always will, that some questions will never be answered, at least in this lifetime, and maybe not be, ever.
We just have different viewpoints as to why.
I understand what you're saying. You're asking something millions, if not billions, of others have asked.
And they haven't received an answer this side of heaven either, so unfortunately, you probably won't get a clear answer, either, whether from us, or from God directly.
Just out of curiosity, what's your story behind the anger, sadness, and/or disappointment that's making you ask in the first place? Your posts have an obvious bitter tone that's usually pervades questions like this, and there is always a story behind it as to why.
May I ask, have you had some bad experiences with Christianity and/or Christians?
I was raised in church--my parents had me there the first Sunday they got me--and there have been many times I've wanted to walk (sometimes run) away because of various things I've seen or experienced within the church itself. And, I've been asking questions such as the ones you're asking all my life as well.
(I understand what you're saying about God killing people. In 2 Samuel 24, King David was the one who committed the sin, and yet he had to choose between 3 punishments God set out before him, resulting in God killing so many people that eventually, even He relented, and, finally chose to stop.) Why? Especially since even David himself said it was HIS fault, so why did so many others have to die?
One of the other things I'm sure you've accepted about life is that no matter what you choose to believe in or not, there are always going to be a lot of unanswered questions. We Christians have a hope that someday, when we come face-to-face with God, we might be able to ask Him ourselves (or maybe by then, it won't even matter.)
Many people in the Bible asked similar things as to what you're asking, but never received an answer, so the answer to your question, unfortunately, seems to be unanswerable--at least, in this current life.
Part of being alive is also accepting that life has questions we may never receive an answer to. If one chooses to believe in God, they accept this as part of believing in an Almighty God who, for whatever reason, keeps these things from us (I've heard it said that maybe we wouldn't understand even if He did tell us.)
Whether one chooses to believe in God or not, the fact remains, and always will, that some questions will never be answered, at least in this lifetime, and maybe not be, ever.
We just have different viewpoints as to why.
I understand what you're saying. You're asking something millions, if not billions, of others have asked.
And they haven't received an answer this side of heaven either, so unfortunately, you probably won't get a clear answer, either, whether from us, or from God directly.
Just out of curiosity, what's your story behind the anger, sadness, and/or disappointment that's making you ask in the first place? Your posts have an obvious bitter tone that's usually pervades questions like this, and there is always a story behind it as to why.
You've got the wrong idea. Mankind is already condemned. As soon as sin, being opposed to God's will, came about through rebellion it was then that we chose our own path. God doesn't have to kill anyone, we chose death. It is because we chose death that God has offered us life, through Jesus Christ.
Remember what John says of Jesus? He didn't come to condemn the world, but save it. Why didn't God come to condemn the world? They are already condemned, His ultimatum of choose Him or die, isn't one of oppression but of saving grace. You are either staying on the road of condemnation or you are on the narrow path to life that God offers through Jesus Christ.
God isn't a tyrant, He isn't evil. He is Love, itself. To top it all off, He loves you and all the world. He wishes that all be saved. However, thats not going to happen. Why? Not all believe. That is what God has required for salvation. Not good works, or being perfect in and of yourself through some concept of morality but simply by faith in Jesus Christ. Believing that He paid the penalty for your sin, death, and rose from the dead to justify you before God. You then after believing would be saved by grace through faith in the Son of God, who was slain for the sins of the world.
Its yours for the taking. What say ye?
Remember what John says of Jesus? He didn't come to condemn the world, but save it. Why didn't God come to condemn the world? They are already condemned, His ultimatum of choose Him or die, isn't one of oppression but of saving grace. You are either staying on the road of condemnation or you are on the narrow path to life that God offers through Jesus Christ.
God isn't a tyrant, He isn't evil. He is Love, itself. To top it all off, He loves you and all the world. He wishes that all be saved. However, thats not going to happen. Why? Not all believe. That is what God has required for salvation. Not good works, or being perfect in and of yourself through some concept of morality but simply by faith in Jesus Christ. Believing that He paid the penalty for your sin, death, and rose from the dead to justify you before God. You then after believing would be saved by grace through faith in the Son of God, who was slain for the sins of the world.
Its yours for the taking. What say ye?
In your view are there absolutes? I believe God to be an absolute. He does not lie; He has given us His Word in written form and through the testimony of His only begotten Son, Who walked this world two thousand years ago, and poured out His life unto death out of His great love for us, fulfilling hundreds of prophecies concerning His first coming in so doing. If you sincerely seek the Truth you will find it embodied in Jesus Christ, Who has promised to reveal Himself to those who diligently seek Him... of course being non believers and rejecting the reality of God, in that state it is not God we are looking for in our heart of hearts, but the meaning and purpose of life... however you wrap it up, the Truth is found in Jesus Christ. When you experience the living God, if you belong to Him, you will know it. Many present day believers previously thought the Bible to be just another dusty antiquated useless old book full of fables and tall tales for the faint of heart, until they were born again of the Spirit of God, Who opened their eyes to the Truth of His eternal Word. Do you have any spiritual beliefs, or feelings toward Jesus Christ?
Paradoxdown,
Your question reminds me of this event in Luke 13 (something I found while on my quest to try to figure out answers to the very same things you are asking):
Luke 13:1-5 -- At that time, some people came and reported to Him (Jesus) about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus responded to them, "Do you think these Galileans were more sinful than all Galileans because they suffered these things? No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all perish as well! Or those 18 the tower in Siloam fell on and killed--do you think they were more sinful than all the people who live in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!"
In other words... Even when God was here in the flesh, among human beings in the form of Jesus Christ, He still did not directly answer your question... which I know, is neither comforting nor satisfying, nor does it, in our human minds, appear to be "right".
People have been asking, from the beginning of their existence, "Why does God let innocent people die, and even seem to kill them on purpose? How could a supposedly good, let alone perfect God, do such a horrible, evil thing?" One of our fears is that we don't want to believe it could ever happen to us (especially since we believe we serve God), or to anyone we love. We don't want to believe some random, or worst of all, God-directed, or even permitted, event could cause pain or loss in our lives.
Therefore, we either like to believe the person whom it happened to did something wrong... Or else God Himself is doing something wrong. Humans don't like it when we don't have supposedly clear explanations that exclude us from being in danger of suffering.
But even when God was here on the earth, the answer seemed to be the same: "I'm not giving you an answer. The most important thing is that you put your focus on repentance and Me as your Savior."
Unfortunately, this side of heaven, that appears to be the only answer we will ever receive to such questions.
I've found something that's even more intriguing is the reason as to why people even ask these questions. I've read about many atheists (I'm not saying you're an atheist, I'm just using this as an example, and I'm sorry if I missed what you said you believe in--or not--in one of your posts) who became that way because they saw a parent die because of cancer, lost a child, went through abusive households, etc.
In other words, they felt God had let them down and/or had done something evil, and because of that, they saw no reason to believe in Him.
I'm just curious, what's your reason? There is always a reason, and usually a deep hurt, behind someone stating and/or asking the things you're asking. What's yours?
Is it the fact that He seemingly doesn't, and won't, directly answer what you see as being simple questions you believe you should have an answer to?
Your question reminds me of this event in Luke 13 (something I found while on my quest to try to figure out answers to the very same things you are asking):
Luke 13:1-5 -- At that time, some people came and reported to Him (Jesus) about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus responded to them, "Do you think these Galileans were more sinful than all Galileans because they suffered these things? No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all perish as well! Or those 18 the tower in Siloam fell on and killed--do you think they were more sinful than all the people who live in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!"
In other words... Even when God was here in the flesh, among human beings in the form of Jesus Christ, He still did not directly answer your question... which I know, is neither comforting nor satisfying, nor does it, in our human minds, appear to be "right".
People have been asking, from the beginning of their existence, "Why does God let innocent people die, and even seem to kill them on purpose? How could a supposedly good, let alone perfect God, do such a horrible, evil thing?" One of our fears is that we don't want to believe it could ever happen to us (especially since we believe we serve God), or to anyone we love. We don't want to believe some random, or worst of all, God-directed, or even permitted, event could cause pain or loss in our lives.
Therefore, we either like to believe the person whom it happened to did something wrong... Or else God Himself is doing something wrong. Humans don't like it when we don't have supposedly clear explanations that exclude us from being in danger of suffering.
But even when God was here on the earth, the answer seemed to be the same: "I'm not giving you an answer. The most important thing is that you put your focus on repentance and Me as your Savior."
Unfortunately, this side of heaven, that appears to be the only answer we will ever receive to such questions.
I've found something that's even more intriguing is the reason as to why people even ask these questions. I've read about many atheists (I'm not saying you're an atheist, I'm just using this as an example, and I'm sorry if I missed what you said you believe in--or not--in one of your posts) who became that way because they saw a parent die because of cancer, lost a child, went through abusive households, etc.
In other words, they felt God had let them down and/or had done something evil, and because of that, they saw no reason to believe in Him.
I'm just curious, what's your reason? There is always a reason, and usually a deep hurt, behind someone stating and/or asking the things you're asking. What's yours?
Is it the fact that He seemingly doesn't, and won't, directly answer what you see as being simple questions you believe you should have an answer to?
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