Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Stumpped by my son | Bible general Archive 3 | thegodchasers | 191795 | ||
I have been a christian for 40 years and now my grown son is asking questions I don't know how to answer. How can I prove the validity of the bible in simple and non-confusing rationale? My son has presented this set of questions that I can't find answers for. Statement of Fact: Christian peoples of the world claim that God's word tells them from before time began God set into motion the "Devine Plan." He knows the end from the beginning. He is all knowing, all powerful and everywhere. When praying, pray that God's will be done. Questions? If God's will is the "Devine Plan" and has been in existence since before time began, how does praying help? What if what you're asking for in prayer is not God's will? Are christians so arrogant to want God to change his plan? Does God enjoy hearing people wine, moan, grovel and beg for things they will not get? Does God delight in the monotonous pleadings, mumblings and cryings of people for things that he planned they would get anyway? If the "Devine Plan" was developed by God and set in motion before time began, how can any kind of appeal through prayer alter God's will? Statement of Fact: Christian peoples of the world claim that God's word tells them God's "Devine Plan" includs free will. Each and every man has the free will to choose everlasting life or everlasting hell fire. Questions? If all has been determined in the "Devine Plan" from before time began, where is the free will to change and be spared from the torment of hell fire? If man is given two choices, eternal life through Jesus Christ or eternal hell fire by rejection, where is that person's free will to choose Buddah, Mohamed or to remain neutral? Where is that man's freedom of choice to decide not to choose? Where is his free will? Statement of Fact: Christian peoples of the world claim that God's word tells them that God is loving, just and merciful. Questions? How does a God of love who knows the end from the beginning develop a "Devine Plan" before time began, then create all of mankind knowing that one day the majority of them will have to be sent to hell? How does a God of justice punish his created beings by tormenting them in hell for the rest of eternity for just their one lifetime of sin? How does a God of mercy put into action a "Devine Plan" that calls for such hideous and maniacal cruelty? Statement of Fact: Christian peoples of the world claim that God's word tells them that God created the sun on the fourth day of creation. Questions? How is is possible to have three cycles of morning and evening before the creation of the sun? How is it possible that God would create light on the first day of creation when he didn't create the sun until the fourth day? Doesn't everyone know that light comes from the sun and without the sun we cannot have a morning or an evening? Since the sun is 1.3 million times larger than the earth why didn't God inform the bible writers of its importance to life on earth? |
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2 | Stumpped by my son | Bible general Archive 3 | Parable | 191796 | ||
These are important questions. I found the following books helpful. God of the Possible, by Dr. Gregory Boyd. God at War, by Dr. Gregory Boyd. Satan and the Problem of Evil, by Dr. Gregory Boyd The Genesis Question, by Dr. Hugh Ross Finding Darwin's God, by Dr. Kenneth Miller |
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3 | Stumpped by my son | Bible general Archive 3 | Parable | 191807 | ||
Regarding your son's question about evil, here's my summary of Boyd's explanation, as found in "Satan and the Problem of Evil: Constructing a Trinitarian Warfare Theodicy". Boyd's development of this is heavily referenced with extensive scripture, so I refer you to the book for his support. Basically, Boyd suggests evil is a necessary possibility in a world in which the following realities make love possible: 1. Love entails freedom. Freedom to choose otherwise is what gives meaning to choosing love. 2. Freedom entails risk. The risk is that someone may actually choose not to love. 3. Risk entails moral responsibility. People are responsible for their choices because of the consequences they bring. Choices other than love often lead to evil. 4. Moral responsibility is proportionate to the power to influence others. If you are powerful, you have more responsibility than someone who is inconsequential. In Christian theology, Satan was the most powerful agent, so he carries the most responsibility for rebelling against God. 5. The power to influence is irrevocable. God's gifts are genuine, not taken back if abused. 6. The power to influence is finite. God has established boundaries within which we operate, so the consequences of our poor decisions are not infinitely bad for everyone everywhere. Thus, if you experience evil, it is because someone, including possibly yourself, chose to follow something other than God, and that choice was close enough to you that the consequences were within your sphere of influence. Parable |
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