Why Does God Allow Evil?

www.khouse.org ^ | Dr. Mark Eastman

[SoothingDave]

I love my children because they are my children. In reality, I don't have a "choice" but to do so.

If a parent's love for their children was as inescapable and automatic as you posit, there would not be the neglected and abused children we hear tales of every day.

If you love your children, it is because you chose to. Many men and women sire and dam children with nary a second thought to giving of themselves for the betterment of their offspring.

SD

[Revelation 911]

You know that the joke was said with nothing but pure motivations. How dare you be so judgemental!

one big mea crappa headed your way wrigs

[RobbyS]

And "to burn" means? Maybe nothing more than the worst pain than anyone can imagine.

[RobbyS]

By definition
God "needs" nothing.

[Revelation 911]

looks like 13 disappeared - ooops - sorry resty - I flagged the mod merely to expose you - I didnt ask for it to be removed (this time)

[onedoug]

Of course, "If I knew Him, I'd be Him." But if He "needs" nothing, why "do" anything.

[CCWoody]

maybe He needs us... to realize a net gain on His investment ~ onedoug

Um, NO! God is not "needy" as you have directly stated.

Woody.

[lockeliberty]

Yes, and therefore the fall must not have taken place because that would have required man's free will.

You must be a disciple of Iranaeus. < no scarcasm>

[RobbyS]

Because that is your purpose.

[onedoug]

I doubt that it centers on my purpose, but to say that "Israel" means struggle with God.

[RnMomof7]

Yes, and therefore the fall must not have taken place because that would have required man's free will.

Where did the choice originate?

[RobbyS]

Old Question/answer from the Baltimore Catechism:. Why did God make me? Ans. To know, love and serve him in this world and to be happy with him in the next.

[RnMomof7]

Mat 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Was Jesus wrong?

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

[RobbyS]

And "lake of fire" absolutely can't be a figure of speech?

[onedoug]

"To know, love and serve him in this world and to be happy with him in the next.

As I know God is good, I'll change need to want, and still speculate re #59.

[RobbyS]

Didn't see this. To know is to have a permanent relationship with him, something not possible with one of the Olympian gods such as Zeus, because to Zeus we were simply lesser beings.

[onedoug]

Also, they were a pantheon of gods, whereas God is One.

[RobbyS]

The word "investment" implies that He gets more than he puts in. I think he is simply trying to break even.

[RnMomof7]

 
Would Jesus have not spoken the truth ?


Mar 9:43  
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

  
 
Mar 9:44  
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

  
 
Mar 9:45  
And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

  
 
Mar 9:46  
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

  
 
Mar 9:47  
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

  
 
Mar 9:48  
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

[Alex Murphy]

And "lake of fire" absolutely can't be a figure of speech?

Could be, could be. I envision more of a wading pool instead of a lake, only they don't allow "swimmies" nor do they change the water. Doesn't quite carry the same impact to the reader, but get dunked once and I can guarantee that you'll think you're in hell.

"I am Phil, Prince of Insufficient Light!" I Darn you to Heck!"