Christians: Do you really think that whatever god does is ok?

Question

Look at all of the pain and suffering god caused in the OT and even today. How can you possibly be ok with that? You wouldn't do it. Ask yourself why.

Why can't we question god?

Answer 1

God didn't cause pain and suffering.

People, especially you, are causing pain and suffering on
other people.

You guys ordered things online, while Walmart lay off workers.
You guys have self service gas station, and we no longer have full service gas station, because you guys are too cheap to
pay somebody to pump gas for you.
And you put farmers out of work, buying all of these junk foods.
And you guys dropped bombs on innocent people in Iraq.
Those innocent people have nothing to do with 9/11 WTC attacked.
And when the last time did you ever DONATE money to
homeless people, or to the sick.
Huh?
Why you guys want GOD do all the work???
That is why you guys are here for to help each other.
If GOD did everything... then we would not have police officers, firemen, and rescue workers... and what is the purpose of us being on this Earth if we don't do anything, God might as well
get rid of us and just have animals and plants.

So hush.

Answer 2

We can question God. There is nothing wrong with that. Look at Job. What some people don't understand, though, is that there is a reason for everything. People say "god is so cruel, look at the OT" There is a reason why God did what He did with the people in the OT. They were openly rebelling against Him and worshiping false idols.

Answer 3

Why do you think God caused it? Is God our jailer? Does He prevent us from doing what He want? No. He's our Father and He loves us and He is saddened when we are hurt or hurt one another. Sometimes He speaks to us, tells us not to do something. (He gave us all a conscience, but that's not even what I'm talking about.) Many people have learned to drown it out, some never heard it. He gave us FREE WILL. The will to say, I'm gonna go get drunk with my buddy at the game, or the will to say, I'm gonna stay and study for my mid-terms. It's not His fault. Yes He could prevent it because He is all-powerful, but He didn't want a bunch of robots running around. He created US. Thinking, breathing, rotten headstrong children that He can look after and take care of, but not rule like an angry dicator, yeah?

Answer 4

First of all, consider that alot of said violence comes during their trip from slavery to the promised land.

Those entire tribes and cities that were wiped out, were wiped out because they refused to let them pass. All they asked, was to be allowed to pass through town, they promised to stay on the road, not take any of their resources such as food or water. It was only when the tribes refused them passage, and thus violated an important OT ethic, hospitality.

Also, in the OT, we needed to learn that the wages of sin were death, we needed to learn that God did indeed have the power to protect and save us. If He protected us from the consequences of our sin from the beginning, how would we ever come to understand our need for Him and salvation? It was only by letting us suffer the consequences of our sin that we became aware of our need for Him and then, and only then, was He able to send his Son to suffer all consequence for all time. God is, above all, a fantastic parent. And as any good parent will tell you, there comes a point when you have to let your children suffer the consequences of their actions, so they understand the importance each decision they make has and the ramifications of their actions.

Answer 5

Your misconception that God "causes" these tragedies is a common one. You must understand that God may allow things to take place but he certainly doesn't "cause" them.

In the Old Testament many of the people were operating in disobedience so as their father he allowed them to feel the pain of their choices. Like a father telling his child, "don't touch the stove because it's hot; it will burn you".

What does that child do? He touches the stove being disobedient and he is burned and he feels for himself that it really is hot.

We are God's children and just like any other parent he only want our love and devotion. Now, I know the analogy above is a bit flawed because God's eye is always on us as apposed to the human father who may have turned away for just a moment.

As humans we are given free will by God and he want us to choose him; he will not force his will on you. But he will allow us to suffer and learn through a series of our own mistakes how hurtful the alternative can be.

I hope that helps,
Quequegs

Answer 6

It may not be that God "Caused" the suffering but allowed it. Yes, in some cases he ordered the complete annihilation of man woman child and animal. The justification of course was a cleansing of the wicked and test of faith. So why would he allow it? Well that depends on your beliefs, it's the answer to why are we here?

Answer 7

if you have a personal relationship with God you wouldnt be mis understood of what all happened in the OT and even what happens today...the things He does are ALWAYS for the good of someone somewhere...alot of the people that died in the old testament had to die in order for the scriptures to be right about Jesus coming...as far as the pains and hardships today, that is God showing us that IF we can make it thru these times of pain and get to the other side and NEVER loose our faith in God..that we are truely faithful servants..He is showing us that if we have true faith nothing can hurt us in the end... nothing

Answer 8

...It is not "okay" as if God needed anyone's approval - whatever the Lord does always renders Him right and true, and He will accomplish all His will.
...RE who deserves what - when troubles and irritation come, some ask, "Do I deserve this?" When we consider God's holiness and our utter sinfulness, we really deserve far worse than we get.
...But by God's grace we can be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ, be Heaven-bound, and can live the best kind of life on Earth.
...Ephesians 2:3-5 says this:
... 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
...4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
...5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
...Believe on Jesus and be saved (Acts 16:31)
...Whosoever will, may come.

Answer 9

This is the problem with the world now, If people would have their own beliefs and quit worring about everyone else everything would be fine.. I believe in god and what ever he does but you dont have to. Just think about how you and every other living thing ended up here......

Answer 10

And there aren't any dinosaurs in there either!! But I am under a new covenant since Jesus came. I studied the Bible as if it was a textbook, starting with John and going back to Matthew to read it all. God does what He does and He gets blamed for so much s**** I can't believe it!!! Eternity is forever and that makes me nervous!! So I studied. Need to go back too but I let it slide.
Thanks for a reminder!! Oops!! @8-)