Same thing for tornadoes and hurricanes and tsunamis. I don't think God causes these events and I don't think He is likely to prevent them from happening. He gave us the world and it's ours with all its blemishes. I have always thought, again from the time I was a teenager, that these things are simple to explain. The earth has its own cycle, its own life, and its own rhythm. We are just as likely to have a beautiful, sunny day as we are to have a tornado (particularly here in Oklahoma).
But here is where I get stuck, and maybe you have your own explanation for these things. If what I said in the above paragraph is true, or at least makes sense, then what about this: I have been out of work since June 07 and my wife and I are going through our savings, but I have never had the sense that we would lose our house or all of our financial security. I never had the feeling that this would happen. Why? Because I never thought God would let it happen. Now, see the catch? If God does not cause/prevent disasters in the world, wouldn't it make sense that He wouldn't get credit for some good luck (or finding a job just in time)?
I have struggled with this (and maybe you have some answers or opinions) but I think it all boils down to my favorite topic: faith. The simple belief that things will work out, holding on to your core beliefs, principles, ideas that make up your character, and pursuing appropriate opportunities, will ultimately result in a positive outcome. Share your concerns with God, confide in Him and let Him help you by way of His strength.
The "working conclusion" I have is that I believe God gives us things. He lays everything out for us. He gives us our lives, our brains, our purpose, the earth. What we do with these things is really up to us. He can nudge us along the way, and He may not be happy with what we do or decide--it's called "Free Will,"--but we can do it or not do it. And this is how I resolve the question of "Why does God allow all the suffering in the world?"
It's not up to Him -- It's up to us.
4 comments:
There is a great book called Suffering And The Sovereignty Of God by John Piper which is really good at answering the question about why God allows suffering and does He cause it.
Our example of these things are in the Bible. Does God cause catastrophes? When you look in the Bible, sometimes He does. The earth is God's footstool He does what He pleases with it and us to accomplish His purposes. There is a balance to such issues. In the Bible it speaks of "signs" of the coming of Jesus and to not be alarmed.
Although we don't like to think of God causing suffering, we are ultimately at His mercy, one needs to look no further than to the book of Job. Now what was Job's suffering about? It was something between satan and God, satan caused it but got permission from God first. We also read in the New Testament where God tells Peter (I think) that satan has asked to sift him like wheat. We only see linear. God sees all.
(I think)- I mean I think it was Peter that satan asked to sift.
and Jesus prayed that his (Peter's) faith would stay strong.
Sorry for all the extra posts.
I'm going to have to get the book by John Piper. I'll add it to my increasingly long list of Things To Read. You offer excellent insight into the Bible--It was an "I Knew That" moment when you wrote that God sometimes causes catastrophes. It is certainly there, and I suppose it's true that God has to give us a good thumping every now and then.
Nice post... Good job.
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