Fellow Christians: Where was God during the massacre at Virginia Tech?

Question

What do you think?

For the record, I am a Christian and I can prove it, if anyone would like to check things out. Please go to my profile and follow the link to my 360. From there, go to my personal website at http://www.freewebs.com/parkman. Be sure to read my testimony of Christian experience. I can offer no better proof of the validity of my being a Christian than that.

Christians, atheists of all stripes point to the VT tragedy as "PROOF" that a loving God does NOT exist. I merely wanted a response from all of you to counter that claim.

I am sorry if I have offended some of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I ask for your forgiveness.

I thank all of you for answering my question. I've read several good answers and it will be somewhat difficult for me to pick the best one!

1 John 4:16 (NIV)

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. GOD IS LOVE (emphasis added). Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."

Park

If you have trouble following the link above, just go to my profile, go to my 360, and click on the appropriate spot in my "blast." That should get you to my website.

Answer 1

Nonbelievers who always want to know "where was God, etc", (I do not include the asker of this question in that catagory) after a big "tragedy" are always inconsistent. To be consistent they would also have to ask "where was God" after every "unfair" act, wether "big" or "small". "Where was God when my brother-in-law was murdered delivering a pizza over 20 years ago? "Where was God when a persons cell phone rings as he steps off the curb to cross the street, gets distracted, and run over". Of course what they are REALLY saying is, "I dont believe in a God who would let ANY unfair or evil thing happen in this world". In effect, they judge God. Now, the idea of Man JUDGING God is laughable. He could no more be "wrong" and you be "right" than an infant could be heavyweight champion of the world. What are you asking God to do? Rid the world of all evil? What the nonbeliever does'nt realize is, for God to do that, He would have to wipe everyone off of the planet. Because we all are to a certain degree "evil" or have the potencial for evil in our hearts. There is going to come a time when He does just that. Its called the "Second Coming of Christ". Until then, we live in a sin fallen world. Its our job (Christians) to proclaim His offer of Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness to an unbelieving world. While it is still "day", before the night comes.....theBerean

Answer 2

When we're hurting or suffering, it's hard to imagine that somehow the process could be intended for a good reason.Reminds me of a story of a father who had a choice between saving his only son, or risking letting a train for which he was responsible for switching onto a different track getting either derailed or in a collision. And you wonder what if his son was going to be the next Billy Graham, or on the train was a guy with a possible cure for cancer?
Point is Who can fathom HIS mind? Isaiah writes that HIS ways are higher than ours, you'd probably never understand why HE let VT happen, but you can trust HE is loving enough to protect HIS elect until the day of HIS chosen meeting with each.
ultimately more than only allow the best of circumstances for HIS elect, HE allows the right set of circumstances that will produce the most Christ-like character in them. Some of those circumstances are very panful.
Lastly, watched how prayer vigils have been organized all around the country in honor of the victims? Does it prove a need for GOD?

Answer 3

God was being God; allowing things to happen, because God gave all of us " free will". Many people choose evil over good; and that's why the planet is is the mess we're in. God cares about each and every one of those victims, as well as the massacrer, but God is mostly keeping His hands off of things such as this, and other tragedies, like 9/11, the Tsunami, etc. God was probably very sad at not only this event, but all others as well, that show how His creation has really messed things up. Because this was allowed to happen, doesn't mean that God doesn't care.
All persons will be judged someday, according to their hearts, and their works, and there will come a day when people who cause harm to others, will have to answer to God. I wouldn't want to be facing God, having done some horrible things like taking lives of innocent people.

Answer 4

The things men mean for evil God can work for good. See the story of Joseph in Genesis 36-40 something. Judgment day is coming for everybody. I know I don't want to enter eternity without the covering of Jesus blood. The scoffers say there is no God- I tell you the day will come when you need Him more than He needs you. May He forgive your foolish thoughts.
The shooter will probably bring something into the forefront that needs to be done. Just a guess but I know all things work together for good to those that are called according to His purposes.

Answer 5

He was there and with their families,kidd and as a Christian you know that.
Why did you think we might not believe you?
psychology tells us, people that use that statement are not used to being believed. Why would you care so much about whether people believe you are? If you say you are ,at the end... you are.
Its more than okay to give us your message and testimony. But I don't take kindly to be scripture quoted "at" I feel as tho you have asked this question to pick out "real" Christians to add to your volume of ...what sounds more like anger and vehemence to back up what you believe.
You need to remember this...
You may be the only Christian some people know. Do you want them to think of Christians as the angry warriors of Jesus?
Jesus was a gentle, kind, warm man, that taught us forgiveness and understanding of others. Rather like the Jewish religion. we are an off shoot of the Jewish religion. Every man woman and child I personally know, are fun dynamic deeply religious people. Their kindness shows in their faces. Morman kids are delightful and helpful to the the bitter end.
and their parents love them as much as we love ours...in fact they lable themselves Christians.
We are supposed to be teachers of the word.
So I am not sure where you get this
"if you don't believe me" attitude.
Onward Christian soldiers...
means go out and teach the words of God (who Jesus loves.).
In the kind understanding way Jesus teaches all of us.....Like the children we are.
Be kind...unwind ! LOL
ps
Those of you that choose not to believe...
I wish you could. But I am confused as to why you need to hurtful to those of us that do.
just look the other way....someday I hope you can turn to God for comfort and Join any religion you choose. Jesus loves you anyway.

Answer 6

I think all who believe knows that God does not intervene in every tragedy. Usually when HE does it is for a higher good. We all have an ultimate destiny to meet God in the life beyond the grave. Hopefully he was there welcoming all those people.
At the time of any death it takes a leap of faith for those who are left behind. Even when they feel the person's passing was for the best, there is a great vacuum. They have the hope of seeing their love one again. However, when their love one meets a violent death, those left behind especially need our prayers and support.
Without the hope of the resurrection life and death is senseless.

Answer 7

God was and is seated on His throne where He has always been. God is not to blame for the evil and wickedness in this world. We are. Individuals, people and nations are all responsible for the consequences we must endure for rejecting Gods plan for us all. God knows the consequences of sin, but He will not force us to do things His way. We as a people, are responsible for what happened at Virginia Tech.
Over the last 20 years, we have told God to get out of our schools, God has graciously gone from them, however, when He went away, His Blessings and His Protection of our schools went with Him. Now we face the consequences of our actions. Our schools are wide open to demonic spiritual attacks and every kind of wickedness. We now have students killing other students and teachers, we now have teachers molesting students, drugs are everywhere and teenage suicide has reached epidemic levels. When will people wise up and start moving closer to God, instead of pushing Him away.
God Bless You....Peace.

Answer 8

I believe God was there all along. He was with each and everyone of his children when the gunman pulled the trigger. They were not alone. We do not know God's timing, but we do know his word. He tells us there is a time to live and a time to die.

I don't know if there are any words that can comfort the parents or family members of these victims, except to know that they will see there loved ones again, in the presence of the Lord.

He will be glorified in this. What the devil meant for evil will be turned to good. Watch and listen, there will be testimony from the survivors that will glorify God.

Answer 9

God was on the Throne and grieving at the savage, mindless killing that men carry out against each other. God can not be blamed for the murderer but men of their own free will make poor decisions because they do not know Jesus Christ. Therefore they are not lead by the Holy Ghost but by Satan.

Answer 10

hello i have two scriptures for you the first one is James 1 vs 13..ANd the second is job 34:10 since the bible is inspired from Jehovah God these scriptures shows that God did not cause that sad tradgedy there s a difference between causing and allowing. The question is why does he Allow so much suffering?? I have this book titled What Does The Bible really teach And I would Love to mail it to you Free of charge :) and it will defeinately answer Why does he allow so much suffering.. My name is Mack Hodge a fellow Christian like yourself.