Why is it when something unexpected happens that is good, it's a miracle, but if it's bad God doesn't get blamed for it? And if it turns out later that the bad had good effects, God starts getting credit again?
I don't see how people can take this stuff seriously at all.
I sympathize—I'd like to get more credit for stuff in my life, too. But unfortunately, I didn't create the universe, and I try to give credit where it's due.
That's why there's chocolate and vanilla .. ;) (You'd have to know the history here.)
I have to agree with that logic. If you look at God's position on sin, I.E. that there is no such thing as a "little sin", than how can it be that one human being's life is more important than anothers? Why does God allow some to die seemingly unjustly while allowing others to live? I can answer this in one way that makes any sense. God, if you believe in him, has given us all his Spirit. We are given the free will to use this spirit however we choose. Those who make "miraculous" recoveries or perform miracles are able to tap into that spirit while others have no idea why they have the spirit to begin with. Therefore, ad infinitum, God, through our ability to use the Spirit, has performed such miricles.
Why is it when something unexpected happens that is good, it's a miracle, but if it's bad God doesn't get blamed for it? And if it turns out later that the bad had good effects, God starts getting credit again?
...and thought this passage from the Old Testament might shed some light on the question...
Jb 1:6-22
One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming the earth and patrolling it.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?”
But Satan answered the LORD and said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has, and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”
And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
And so one day, while his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them, and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Lightning has fallen from heaven and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three columns, seized the camels, carried them off, and put those tending them to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, when suddenly a great wind came across the desert and smote the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair. He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!”
In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.
I don't know if that helped, but I hope it did.
5.56mm
If you ever finally understand, it will be a miracle.
It's because God did not create evil or death. Evil and death (with all its accompanying suffering) came into this world because of sin, and the many chain-reactions sin has set off, striking down both the innocent and the guity as its victims.
No, God did not create evil. But he permits it, only because it is the consequence of something He treasures so supremely: human freedom. He could have made us puppets or robots, but He permitted freedom --- and though there's little justice in this life, He will bring good out of everything in the end.
You watch. "Eye has ot seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man to imagine, what Gods has prepared for those who love Him."
That said, I do believe in miracles. Most of the time, the evidence to prove that a miracle has occurred, isn't conclusive enough. And thus, belief in them is a matter of faith.