Let's be honest. We don't completely understand why God does what he does and allows things to happen the way they do. He is "Sovereign", which mean "above all others" or "supreme authority". We know God through our relationship with him and the bible, but we don't know why he chooses to do certain things, or chooses not to do other things. Look at all the natural disasters, senseless deaths, people doing terrible things to others. Some of you may say "it's not fair", or "I don't agree with God", or "I am mad at God". This is certainly a discussion you can have with God and with others. It's very easy to say "well, it's because of free will". But do we really know what that means and is it a deep enough answer? So let's dive in. Based on your own experiences, your relationship with God, your interpretation of scripture, why do bad things happen in this world?
6 Comments
Brad
9/17/2015 12:54:53 pm
Great topic Dave, can't wait to dive into this rabbit hole!
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Zac
9/17/2015 02:21:05 pm
So is the question.. Why do bad things happen in the world? Or more of.. Why does God allow bad things to happen?
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Dave Halsey
9/17/2015 03:07:22 pm
Zac, I liked the way you phrased it and that is a way we can address it. Someone might also say, "why does God cause bad things to happen?", because in biblical history God has indeed caused some things to happen that we might think are bad. So however you want to come at this question, it's fair game.
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Dave Halsey
9/20/2015 11:10:50 am
I'll stir the pot a little bit on this topic and hopefully somebody has some scripture and some spiritual wisdom to help us. On one hand, God has wiped out entire cities, and has instructed his followers to go to war. He also wiped the slate clean during the flood of Noah which killed nearly an entire civilization of people. Then we have natural disasters occurring throughout mankind and certainly prevalent today - Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Wildfires, Tsunami's, extreme Climate conditions, etc. etc. Finally, you don't have to look far to find human atrocities - Crime, Human Trafficking, Terrorism, War, Abuse, Genocide, etc..
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Brad
9/20/2015 07:09:23 pm
We had a a pretty good discussion on this topic in San Diego. I had asked what the group thought the number one reason why a non-Christian would reject Christianity. Steve and others mentioned that they struggle with why God "allows" bad things to happen in this world. It is a great question and a very difficult one to answer. For me it really comes down to Faith and trust. We have to belive in God and then we need to Trust Him. We may never completely understand his intentions. Isiah 55:9 states "for as the heavans are higher than the earth, so are my ways and my thoughts than your thoughts".
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Dave Halsey
9/21/2015 09:52:03 am
The man speaks truth! Really well said Brad. You hit on the critical response points. Thanks so much!
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