If God has everything for a purpose...?

Question

Then what about the babies who get miscarried or die before birth? Assuming they have souls, for what purpose did God allow this? One argument is that the babies are saved from the evils to come. Couldn't God have stopped the union of egg and sperm instead? Why such a painful death during miscarriage or shortly after birth? Well, of course, God is aware of all of the affairs of men and even controls them. The Book of Isaiah says "I make peace, and create evil; I am the LORD." Well, then why would God manipulate affairs for babies to die?
I'm a Christian. I'm looking for intelligent, thoughtful answers, and I'm not trying to poke holes in Christianity. I'm asking my question in a reasonable tone. I would like well-thought-out answers, please. Reason, logic, and/or Bible scriptures would be appreciated.

joseph s: Your idea that God does not have a hand in the world at all is flawed (see the scripture I quoted above), but your point of view makes somet sense. If we are not in Christ, then we are left to Satan, and that leads to a lot of deaths since God is not protecting those who are not his own. I don't think, though, that it would be right for babies to die because of this. It's kind of like God just abandoning them. Instead, he could have just prevented them from existing. It's a lot less painless, after all. Though I am not really satisfied with your answer, it's the best answer on here so far.

churchmusicgirl, charmaine f, stronzo 5785, Lord_French_Fry, djmantx: Really good answers. Not perfect, but they're good. The answers are getting better and more thoughtful.

Answer 1

Your understanding is somewhat different from mine all things were created by god and all things will ultimately work toward the good of all who love God and are called according to his purpose.The World has not been perfected and all that are here are subject to the grief that the sinful world has to offer. We have not been perfected and are all still sinners in an imperfect world.The promise of God is not Heaven on earth and the rain does fall on the just and the unjust. Our faith is not in this world but in the world which is to come. Many good things come from bad things unfortunately.Through sin came grace. Though the death of the perfect son of God came salvation

Answer 2

Sometimes stuff like dieing babies happens simply because there's sin in the world. It can't be explained much further. Sin does stuff to the world. It caused humans to relize their nakedness, it caused the once peaceful animals to become meat eaters. Before sin, nothing bad had to happen for the sake of something else (Like killing for food). Many believe that since Adam and Eve sinned, all humans are sinners from the very start, evan before they do their first bad thing because the blood of Adam and Eve run through them.

Now the fact that babies dieing and many stuff similar happen, are still part of God's perfect plan, that's the key point. Later along the line people can look back and relize their sin, or other people can use these issues as topics in a sermon.

As for the souls that didn't even make it to birth, nothing is really mentioned in the bible about what happens to them. It could be that they never had a soul because God knew what was going to happen to the embryo anyway. (I'm not sure If I personally agree with that though) My guess is that the unborn babies are still judged, perhaps with that "what if they did live a full life on earth" question.

Hope that helps spawn some ideas of your own! Good question.

Answer 3

As a Catholic Christian, I share many of your thoughts on this subject. The Catholic church teaches that life (and therefore, a soul) begins at the very moment of conception, right when a sperm and egg unite. But if that's true, what does that say about natural miscarriages? How can God be okay with this? Is God okay with this? Are we looking at it from the wrong point of view.

I believe that God created the universe and nature and science and all its laws in their perfection. With that as a starting point, I have to believe that God knows that some pregnancies are going to naturally miscarry. My understanding is that the underlying reason is usually that the embryo or fetus was not developing properly and that nature causes a miscarriage as a system of protection for the mother and child. It's hard and it hurts and it's unfair, but it can be handled.

But when you throw the concept of souls and people as individuals into the process, that's where I struggle. I don't think God picks and chooses when it comes to miscarriages, so where does this leave these souls? Do they get a second chance later, cuz this drags you into the realm of reincarnation and for Christians, that can be a slipperly slope.

Answer 4

The bible clearly states that: God planned everything in adavance (read psalms). He knew the day you would be born and the day you would die IN ADVANCE...he scheduled all the days of your life (this is scripture).

Now a rational adult will obviously see what this means.

It means that you have NO choice in anything. The only way you could be here right now is because a series of events in your life brought you here. If just one of those events in your life (our your parents life, or their parents life) were different, you wouldn't be here right now...you would be somewhere else or wouldn't have even been born.

In order for god to have a purpose, then everything that happens MUST be a part of that purpose.

To accept christianity, you must accept the fact that you are nothing more than a puppet, acting out a sick screenplay, written by god for his viewing enjoyment. When anything bad happens like murders, rapes etc....they must also be a part of god's plan.

The more questions you ask, the more you will see that the bible is just a collection of poorly written stories and superstitions, AND the entire belief system of christianity is ludicrous.

Answer 5

Then, why should God stop there? He should then stop, death in general, wars, sickness, pain, trouble, I could go on and on and on. But God in His infinite wisdom has know the mind of man, even before his birth, and even though, God has made everything perfect; perfection became imperfect through sin. What you are talking about there is not a God-problem, but a sin-problem. Hence the reason Jesus came not to live but to die for us - Adam's fallen race, to buy back what man had originally given to the devil. Now, my dear, seeing that you are a Christian, you may not be able to stop all the pains and hurting in the world, but you can correct you and your and maybe people that you meet on a daily basis. Be pro-active and help the ignorant mind stop the killing of infants. Love, be bless.

Answer 6

the lord god formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into the nostrils the breath of life.gen2:7 what is the dust?body what is the breath of life? spirit...Ecc the dust (body)returns to the ground and the spirit returns to god...Mt10:28"
'do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the spirit". Iam writing these to show that we all have a soul even a baby but obviously you know this, so this is god's will right everything is god's will but once again you know this so clearly when you read this scriptures you come to understand that yes even the death of this little babies is the will of god but why? right? why these little babies though? aren't they innocent?how can we know this? if we are both christians we would rely on the bible right? i can show you so much but i am afraid i'm running out of time let me tell you somthing even jesus had to prove to the jews that he was the son of god how did he prove it not only through miracles but through the scriptures mark12:10,12: jesus said we also must fallow his example we also must prove everything through the scriptures so i can prove to you why these things happened why babies die in such way you can contact me at [e-mail] please do i would love to show you this, is beautiful.

Answer 7

Right now God isn't involved in the world's affairs. He is allowing Satan and mankind to test their assertion that they don't need God's assistance and that he doesn't have the right to rule over mankind. Babies are miscarried simply because something is wrong with them or with the mother. It isn't God that is causing the problem.

You say the book of Isaiah says that God makes peace and creates evil. Can you please cite the scriptural reference to this? Regarding evil, please recall what James 1:13 says: When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.

Remember that the ruler of this system of things is not God as everyone seems to think...its Satan. Remember that Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would do an act of worship to him. (Matthew 4:8, 9) Satan wouldn't have been able to make such an offer if he were not actually in control of them. The world demonstrates exactly who is ruling by the injustice, war, violence and badness that is prevalent in it. Soon, though, Satan will be removed as ruler. John 12:31 says: "Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast off." Further, Jesus points out at John 14:30 the ruler of this world has no hold over him.

Simply stated, God is not the cause of the problems we experience. He gave mankind exactly what they asked for ... the chance to prove that we don't need to be ruled by him. God already knew the results would be disaterous, but since he has perfect justice, he allowed us the opportunity to test the theory. He will, however, not allow things to go on like this forever. He will step in as soon as we've had the opportunity to try every kind of government. By allowing this, we have proof that we are not able to successfully rule ourselves and in that way the issue of sovereignty will have been settled once for all time among both humans and angels.

We were origionally created to live forever on earth and God gave us the commission to fill the earth with people and to expand the boundaries of the origional paradise, Eden. Those who are willing to submit to God's sovereignty will be given the opportunity in the future to do just that. Those who won't live by God's righteous standards will find themselves in a very bad position when Armageddon comes around. Proverbs 2:21, 22 points this out: For the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.

Answer 8

We can't or shouldn't question God. There is always a reason for everything He does. In this case I believe it is meant to strengthen the parents. Having something this horrible happen will bring someone to their knees. They'll be mad at God for letting this happen. In the end, if they are Christian and they love God, they will understand that their baby is in heaven with Him. In the end, which may take years, they will come back to God, stronger in faith and understanding. I guess what I'm saying is the short-term outlook, especially in tragedy is always gloomy, but the long-term effects become clearer as time goes by and hope and strength replaces the sadness...And you understand that He loves you and He loves that child, too...even more than the parents.

Answer 9

For suffering is to be found comfort and faith. Corinthians 2 talks about comfort during suffering and the purpose is all about God.
There will be suffering, God doesnt say anywhere that there wont, but to rely on God will comfort us and test our true faith in him. It really is beyond our earthly knowledge and emotions to truly understand God's ways. However, to accuse God of evil doings, that is just what satan wants us to do. My God is understanding, loving , comforting, forgiving. I have not seen in the bible where it says in Isaiah that God creates evil or manipulates affairs for babies to die. Satan can work wonders with us. When things go wrong or are heart breaking who do we blame? Most tend to blame God for a miscarriage or dying loved one etc..but God is aware of our pain and we must remember God giveth and God can taketh away. It is not all about our desires or wishes in our lives, it is about God's for we are all his children. God has a plan and HIS reason for it all and it is not about what"we" want. God loves us dearly and even throught he most devestating experiences.

Answer 10

Their is a reason for everything. When God chooses to take a baby to heaven think of it this way- not as evil and confusing- but as God sparing that baby a life of pain and misery.