Why Does God Allow Evil?

www.khouse.org ^ | Dr. Mark Eastman

[onedoug]

Though more would be a net gain in good, which I think God would like.

He created all by His will, but granted that we can only guess why. Yet Genesis offers some clues through The Fall, The Flood and Babel as to his wanting to get humanity right. Certainly He could know the outcome. But does he want to, before it's come?

Fascinating, no?

[RobbyS]

What, you want to provide water wings for the like of Hitler? More fundamental question for epicurians: Is justice no more than a word or an infantile desire to get hold of a tit that is forever denied?

[Wrigley]

Did you miss the sarcasm tag?

[RnMomof7]

He created all by His will, but granted that we can only guess why. Yet Genesis offers some clues through The Fall, The Flood and Babel as to his wanting to get humanity right.

He planned the cross from before the foundation of the earth. Do you think that might be a clue that God knew the fall would occur and the fact it did indicates it was his will or God could have prevented or stopped it?

Certainly He could know the outcome. But does he want to, before it's come?
Fascinating, no?

So God did not know about the flood before it happened? Are you saying that God has no clue as to the events or plans of men?

Want to explain miracles? Want to explain prophecy?

[onedoug]

Well, my perspective is Jewish, and the incorporeality of God, so the NT is more problematic for me, but to say that I think Jesus is the closest thus far in terms the messianic "expectation" within Judaism.

Are you saying that God has no clue as to the events or plans of men?

As I wrote, "Certainly He could know the outcome. But does he want to, before it's come?"

[RnMomof7]

As I wrote, "Certainly He could know the outcome. But does he want to, before it's come?"

Why do you believe that we have a god that chooses ignorance of His creation?

Did God not know Abraham? Did god not choose to free the Jews ? (How could He if he is ignorant of events and outcomes?)

[Gamecock]

I asked the question first. Did Satan have "free will".

Fair enough, yes. Now answer my questions...

[onedoug]

It's Talmudic that, "If I knew Him, I'd be Him," as I wrote here earlier. So I can only guess at His reasons for Creation. Though I can't help but speculate about them, in the sense that Israel means "struggle with God".

As to what I believe: One God. One morality for all humankind. That God's principle demand on us is that we treat each other decently. And that our deed is ultimately more important than our creed.

[P-Marlowe]

Fair enough, yes.

Ok, did Satan have "free will" before he fell? Does Satan have free will now? Or is everything that Satan did in the past or does now directed and controlled by God?

[RnMomof7]

Satan has the same "free will" unregenerate man has. He will always freely choose to do what he will do .He will never choose to repent , he will always only choose what he desires and what he desires is to be God

[Jean Chauvin]

Does God have "free-will"?

Jean

[RnMomof7]

Does God have "free-will"?

Only as free as man would allow it seems:>)

[PFKEY]

It would appear to be that simple. I agree, if it were not then we would have to agree that God made him do it.

[Gamecock]

LOL

[Jean Chauvin]

"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."

What you fail to realize is that these people who neglect and abuse their children would no doubt defend to the death the fact that they "love their children".

This is a segment of the population I happen to work with and this is certianly true!

So, apparently the "decision" to "love your children" does not gaurantee that one would, in reality, love their children at all.

No, my statement still stands. I never made a decision to "love my children". I simply do. I cannot help but do so.

Your suggestion of those who neglect and abuse their children cannot help ~but~ to bolster my point. For, these people who would be adamant that they "love" their children are so turned over to their sinful natures that they can "decide" to "love their children" all day long, but they are too selfish to actually do so.

Thanks for your analogy!

Jean

[Revelation 911]

I knew you were goofing me - I was goofin you too !

mea crappa / mea culpa - get it ?

keyboard kind of lacks those vocal inflections doesnt it ?

[RnMomof7]

Yes he freely chose to rebel. But the operative question was that Gods will? If it was not why didn't God make Satan in a way that he would not choose to rebel??

[RnMomof7]

It's Talmudic that, "If I knew Him, I'd be Him," as I wrote here earlier. So I can only guess at His reasons for Creation. Though I can't help but speculate about them, in the sense that Israel means "struggle with God"

    Isa 43:7   [Even] every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isa 43:8   Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

     Isa 43:9   Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, [It is] truth.

     Isa 43:10   Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me

     Isa 43:11   I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour.

     Isa 43:12   I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when [there was] no strange [god] among you: therefore ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I [am] God.     

Isa 43:13   Yea, before the day [was] I [am] he; and [there is] none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

Isa 62:2   And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name

     Psa 46:10   Be still, and know that I [am] God I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psa 83:18   That [men] may know that thou, whose name alone [is] JEHOVAH, [art] the most high over all the earth

I could go on and on. The Hebrew bible states clearly Gods purpose in creation. It was for His Glory

The purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

[CARepubGal]

My generation had KMET (a once great station that now plays New Age stuff).

[RnMomof7]

That God's principle demand on us is that we treat each other decently. And that our deed is ultimately more important than our creed

We are to love men because they are made in the likeness of God, But that does not diminish our responsibility to have correct doctrine. Look at all the heathen nations God ordered destroyed.