[Cronos]

then did God allow or "cause" it? Yes

Allowing something is different from causing it. As Annalex's beautiful analogy goes: a parent allows his/her child to make errors, giving them the ability to do so. These parents lay down the laws but the child may err. If the child errs, the parent does not "cause" the error, they may allow it (like a child playing in the mud), but they do not cause it.

[HarleyD]

Allowing something is different from causing it.

God purposely and directly CAUSED the death of His only Son. He didn't just allowed it to happen. Beautiful analogies do not change the word of God.

Under your premise God allows for some things in a Christian's life. Please keep in mind that God CAUSE ALL THINGS to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28) And while He predestined His Son to the cross, He resurrected Him to His glory.

Likewise it is with believers. God works everything in our lives to our benefit. He doesn't just "allow" things to happen. There is not one thing in your life-good or bad-that God does not do that isn't for your benefit. We are to give thanks in ALL things for this is the will of God.

[Forest Keeper]

Allowing something is different from causing it.

I think sometimes yes, sometimes no. With the parent analogy, a parent can allow a child to get dirty by turning away as the child heads for the mud. However, if a parent does the same thing when he sees his child headed for the bathtub with a plugged-in hairdryer, then he is arrested for causing child endangerment.