Why Does God Allow Evil and why is there Suffering?

[Tony Warren]

>>>
It's a harmony, a synergy, the interaction between God and man, life and death, to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of the individuals living and dying.
<<<

  Trevor. I couldn't agree more. Evil, grief and affliction remain here as a God breathed learning experience for mankind. Nothing in this world is in vain, and that including life, death, disease, suffering, calamity or travail. The problem (as I see it) is that because of sin, most people (including professing  Christians) just don't get it. This because they're usually so busy envying or feeling sorry for themselves. They take their eyes off Christ and place them on themselves and the result is incessant whining, murmuring, complaining, grumbling and moaning about every little aspect of their lot in life. The "Poor Me" mentality that so permeates the industrialized world. You would think they were penniless, starving, have one set of clothes, live in Calcutta, Dhaka, Bangladesh or something when they are actually blessed beyond measure. All these life lessons go right over their collective heads. But when there is no learning from misfortune, there is no growth. When there is no growth, there is stagnation and quiescence. The evil, affliction, pain and suffering in this world is for our learning, spiritual acumen and growth.

2nd Corinthians 4:17-18

• "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
• While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Why should the faithful Christian worry about the temporal things when in the big picture, our troubles and afflictions are light and but for a moment compared to an eternity with God. What does the child of God really have to whine and complain about, we are the Blessed of the Lord in whose hands if the world could fall apart tomorrow we'd find rest in the glory of God. So then, let our living be with joy, our witness with mourning, and our understanding with the knowledge, illumination and wisdom of Christ. In affliction, life and death we glory in the Lord's doings.

Proverbs 16:4

• "The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil."

"nosce te ipsum"
 

Peace,
Tony Warren
"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. -Psalms 32:5"

[Apostolic]

Why should the faithful Christian worry about the temporal things when in the big picture, our troubles and afflictions are light and but for a moment compared to an eternity with God.

Easy for you to say, you're not troubled or afflicted. You've never had a flood destroy your home or a child die from cancer or someone persecute you because you are gay. You sit here in your ivory tower and judge. Where is the love?

[Betty]

I agree Apostolic. Walk a mile in their shoes before you start judging. The only lesson in evil is that it is  not of God and suffering is bad for anyone.

May he not let your foot be moved: no need of sleep has he who keeps you.  (Psalms 121:3)

[Philly Dawg]

I agree Apostolic. Walk a mile in their shoes before you start judging. The only lesson in evil is that it is  not of God and suffering is bad for anyone.

May he not let your foot be moved: no need of sleep has he who keeps you.  (Psalms 121:3)

What does that even mean?  That God went back on his word by letting Stephen be physically stoned to death?

Or else once again you have taken scripture out of context.

[Laura Tomlinson]

Easy for you to say, you're not troubled or afflicted. You've never had a flood destroy your home or a child die from cancer or someone persecute you because you are gay. You sit here in your ivory tower and judge. Where is the love?

Betty, according to your religion, God is not in control. According to mine, he is. When there was seven years of famine in Egypt and many people suffered, it was by God's providence. When people are killed in a flood or tsunami, it is by God's providence. Do you think that God cannot save a child from cancer if that was his will? God can do anything he wants in my religion. In your religion, it seems you think he should do what you want.

[Reformer]

Betty, according to your religion, God is not in control. According to mine, he is. When there was seven years of famine in Egypt and many people suffered, it was by God's providence. When people are killed in a flood or tsunami, it is by God's providence. Do you think that God cannot save a child from cancer if that was his will? God can do anything he wants in my religion. In your religion, it seems you think he should do what you want.

    Betty is just another example of mankind's rejection of God's sovereignty over this world. The spiritual insanity that has grown to epic proportions in the church.

The Lord's prayer: "Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven." Not My will be done.

[Tony Warren]

>>>
according to your religion, God is not in control. According to mine, he is. When there was seven years of famine in Egypt and many people suffered, it was by God's providence. When people are killed in a flood or tsunami, it is by God's providence. Do you think that God cannot save a child from cancer if that was his will? God can do anything he wants in my religion. In your religion, it seems you think he should do what you want.
<<<

...and all God's people said,  A M E N !

That seems to be the crux of the matter for many people in our day. To look at God as their personal servant, someone who waits at their beckoning call to do their will, rather than they His. Not that He is LORD of their lives, but almost as if they are the lords and masters and He is only there to do their will or make their lives on earth better.

Luke 11:2

• "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth."

His will be done. As it is in heaven, so it is done on earth. Not as my will on earth, so let it be done in heaven. Christ is the central figure in the true gospel of Christ. Let us all be Christ centered rather than self-centered.

"nosce te ipsum"
 

Peace,
Tony Warren
"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. -Psalms 32:5"

[Laura Tomlinson]

I agree Apostolic. Walk a mile in their shoes before you start judging. The only lesson in evil is that it is  not of God and suffering is bad for anyone.

Isaiah 45:7
"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
I Peter 3:13-14
"And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;"

Betty, why is it that you are almost always on the wrong side of God's word?