Christian please answer.?

Question

I am a Catholic Christian, and I admire very much those who humbly & honestly bring the word of God to others, Billy Graham I believe is one of these, in a televised interview he was asked the question, why does God allow suffering, and he gently replied,`I do not know`.
what humility to say this on T.V where he risked looking foolish, do you think that we go a little too far sometimes trying to answer God`s great mysteries, and feel we have to have an answer all the time?
Thank you.

Answer 1

That is a very good question and well worded! You and I both seem to regard Billy Graham in the same light. I respect him greatly. I definitely agree with you that we do tend to feel like we are suppose to know it all and go too far trying to answer everything. But God hasn't revealed 'everything' to us and we need to follow Dr. Graham's excellent example and admit when we don't have all the answers. I was delighted when I read your question because it shows how faithful Dr. Graham is to the truth at the risk of looking foolish. He's an extremely sincere and honest man. When I was doing research on the subject of speaking in tongues, I investigated evangelists who were the most likely to have witnessed/experienced it first hand in their many travels to better understand why I, myself had never had the experience. I read Billy Graham's book, THE HOLY SPIRIT and was delighted to find that once again He was honest enough to admit he hadn't experienced the phenomenon. He was very candid when sharing his view on the topic and I highly recommend his book to everyone! Thanks for sharing the question and I'm happy you have the insight to understand that we don't have all the answers. Take care!

Answer 2

I think we can be guilty of that. I think our motives for trying to answer these big questions are good though.

A big part of suffering itself is that very question: "why?" I think people would suffer a lot less if 'why' had a clear answer, because it is the chaos, the mystery of suffering that is its sharpest pain. Generally I think helping others get through this most difficult aspect of suffering is why we say things like "it is God's will" or another uncomfortable explanation.

On the specific question of suffering, I have been dwelling a long time. I think I've gained some insights, and I've shared them with people, so that I can help them. But insights are not an answer - and to that question, I guess I ask why as well, and will until that day when I know fully and am fully known.

In the absence of answers, we at least have faith, hope, and love. And that's a pretty good start.

Answer 3

I believe this can be possible. We shouldnt try to answer what we dont know. But, if we know, then tell it. I understand why God allows suffereing, and I cant believe someone such as Billy Graham didnt have an answer. But, noone knows everything. We all get things at different time.
God gives us all free choice. Its a precious gift, He doesnt want a bunch of robouts out there suffering. Anyhow, because of that choice, suffering is given to us thru other people.
Example birth defects, how many generations back did someone eat poorly, take drugs, drink a lot, whatever????? and so each generation down the road is weakened thru that. Then there are birth defects. We dont usually even know the original source, but this fis from the sins of fallen man. And< God allows ist, because He will never take away free choice.
Another example. Someone is married and finds out their mate is cheating on them. much pain, but that person was given free choice just like we all are. suffering comes from the sin of others, and as long as there is sin, we will have suffering.
But, Yes, there are many great mysteries, like why did God design it that way, this free choice?? Well, I believe its because he doesnt want a bunch of little robots. Loving someone because you are forced to is not love. correct?
But, I agree, if we dont know, we should humble say I dont know, maybe we can study it together. Studying is how we find answers, and thru prayer. We arent to worry if we look foolish. We are to be like Jesus, who was very humble. Its not about me or you anyhow. Its all about God. Seek truth and you will find it, His words, not mine. Keep on asking , this is how we learn.

Answer 4

That is how a server of God show humility and it is really admirable. There are things that we really cannot explain because only God knows the answer. However, God allows us to experience suffering because we learn somthing from it. We will never appreciate the beauty of life without suffering and because God wants us to depend on him TRUST him in all our sufferings.

Answer 5

god allows suffering?thats a new one for me !!no god does not allow it if you remember god created the world to work a certain way but thats sounds kinda like human nature we all makes plans for the best and then theres someone else who steps in and screws the whole plan up but were talkin about god here so if you think god lets it happen i think youve mistaken i mean thats kinda why the book was made to show people both good and bad and that god does have enemies which are our enemies too satin devil demon spirit those are a couple names of the enemy side but just cuz you dont know something that does not make you look foolish he just gave an honest answer because some say god controls our destiney and then i consider that god gave us the abilty to judge things and that means we have alot of choices to make and his choice of answers was the best he knew of cuz worse than not knowing is trying to say some reason and being totaly wrong so he done alright with that answer and theres alot of times when ive answered the same way i dont know so we dont always have the answers but we can most likely find it if we look

Answer 6

There's a great deal of unknown. Doesn't matter if you're Christian or not. The origin, and meaning, of life, how much "proof" is needed before the seed of faith can be planted, why so many false gods, why suffering, why disease, why killing, why hatred.

But, one thing remains true thru it all: the love and mercy of the one true God, and salvation thru His Son, Jesus.

I have no idea why many people seem to believe that accepting Jesus means that someone has suddenly become master of the knowledge of the ages.

Good question, and great example.

Answer 7

Good question.
I think it's our human nature that kicks in when we want to answer all questions.
Some things are better left alone.
The answer would be something like that's only for Him to answer, why don't you ask Him yourself?
A question answered with a question.
Not always acceptable to people.
Thus the I don't know answer is appropriate.
Thanks for asking.
We feel like we have to always have an answer for everything.
Part of America's problem is just that, it's pass the buck and tell me why.
Some of it is all good but some, a waste of energy.
Easier and better and less offensive to just say I don't know and leave it alone for the mind to be amazed and stand in awe of what wonders God has created.

Answer 8

Absolutely! The Bible is very clear that all the mysteries of God will not be revealed to us in this lifetime. There is no stigma attached to admiting that we do not have all the answers. If we did, there would be no need for faith in God. The Old Testament says that Abraham believed God and God credited it to him as righteousness (which is right standing with God). When we trust God He accounts us as righteous.

Answer 9

Well, we CAN go too far, but I don't think we do so all the time.
Personally, I would say God allows suffering because it is in keeping with the doctrine of free will. Man makes the desicion to cause the suffering he does. If God took that free will away, he wouldn't be true to his word.

Answer 10

I agree that you should not be afraid to say 'I don't know'! How could we ever possibly know everything of God? And yes, I think Billy Graham is a very special person - you can just see the love of God in him.