If Christians trust God to protect them and He'll do whatever He wills for them, why use safety devices?

Question

Okay, so maybe seatbelts or motorcycle helmets are the law in some places, but airbags, flotation devices, safety goggles, etc aren't usually.
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Non- fundies need not reply; if you don't trust in God for protection then your opinion probably doesn't really provide much insight into the fundie way of thinking.

Answer 1

Actually, Jesus answered this question while being tempted by Satan. Satan took Christ to the top of the temple...

Matthew 4:6-7
"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' [ Psalm 91:11,12] 7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "

God protects us, but we are not to put Him to the test, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego say this...

Daniel 3:16-18
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Answer 2

Excellent question. Why? Everyone will be tested by god, to see how strong their faith will hold. This person prays, fasts, does this, does that, helps others. But what if a disaster occurred to him? How would he react? Would he slash over and blame god, and say that he has done this and that, and god didnt do anything? or Will he praise the lord, ask forgiveness, and thank him for all the good that God has brought to him in his life. These are the tests that "Muslims" go under by god. Any disaster is considered a Test from god. How would you react? Would you keep your faith strong? or would you break down? . These are the tests that determine mans faith of god. Besides. We will all die. And everyone has their time. And their is no changing fate. God will never test someone knowing that he "Cant" pass that test. The more religious and faithful, he is the more appropriate test is given.

Answer 3

Your speech belies a bitterness against Christians. Why do you selectively choose to harrass them. A little soul searching seems in order. Your question also sounds a lot like when Satan attempted to tempt Jesus taking him to the top of the temple and telling him to jump off since God would protect him. Here's the text to be exact:

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:

" `He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "

MT 4:7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "

MT 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

MT 4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "

MT 4:11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

MT 4:12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

MT 4:15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles--

MT 4:16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."

MT 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

This may be appropriate for you.

Answer 4

I follow your reasoning but there are a lot of weird fundie answers that you will get thrown at you.
To deviate slightly ...
I had the misfortune to get hold of a copy of that awful book by that awful Rick Warren, who claims that our lives are preplanned down to the minutest detail and that, effectively we have no influence at all about the outcome. Therefore, why doesn't everyone who agrees with that nonsense just sit at home and let fate bring whatever it is supposed to. One's predetermined marriage partner will just walk through the door at some time?

This religion disease of the mind is so very sad.

PS: I tore the book up and consigned it to where I had predetermined it should go - the garbage.

Answer 5

Ask the car manufacturers why they install them? We dont install them . Seat belts and helmets are the law everywhere in the USA. It is also the law that if on a boat floatation devices must be used for all passengers. Goggles in the work place is a law by OSHA.

Answer 6

Well first of all its usually the law. Render unto Cesar remember? OSHA , EPA, etc. try hard to limit the herd thinning tendencies of the average person ....or Christian. You have a head USE IT for more than a hat rack. I think you have also forgot that in the temptations of Jesus. The tempter asked Jesus to cast himself down and that the angels would prevent Jesus from being hurt. Jesus had an answer .

Answer 7

In response to what someone said about that awful Rick Warren's book and stuff... THANK YOU!!! Rick Warren is like the king of false doctrine... doesn't go alone with the Bible at all! the Purpose Driven Lie scares me to death...directly contrary to the Word of God and people need to closely compare it with the Bible and see that it doesn't match up at all!!!

And yes, God gave people the intelligence to make safety items for us but He will protect us when we have no control over things if it is His will...until it is our time to go Home, to heaven (if we know Jesus).

Answer 8

I am a Christian, but don't understand the term "fundies". Just because I trust God, doesn't mean I willing endanger myself. If I jump off a bridge without a parachute, I will die. If I use a parachute, I may still die if it is God's will, but then again, I have a decent shot at not dieing.

Answer 9

Mat 4:5 Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple,
Mat 4:6 And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Answer 10

God gives us the ability to use common sense. Wearing a seatbelt, using flotation devices, etc... are common sense.

If I jumped off a cliff and expected God to give me the powers to fly, it probably won't happen. That's why he advises us to use common sense.