David Clounch said:
"Why does a loving God allow suffering and evil? It has to do with free will. He could easily fix it all if only he would override our free will."
God created man with freewill and said it was good. Then the fall happened. Evil can't be because of freewill because God said it was good; unless evil is good, because evil flows from freewill. We know that evil is not good by definition. It is impossible for humans not to sin, because of freewill, so the fall was inevitable. Therefore God designed us knowing that we will sin, if God is all-knowing. Correct?
I think the reason none of this makes sense is because it is 'ancient theology.' It is like trying to make sense of the science or history of the Bible, but it is wrong because it is ancient.
I appreciate any feedback in showing me the error of my logic.
...Bernie
________________________________
From: David Clounch [mailto:david.clounch@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 4:07 PM
To: Dehler, Bernie
Cc: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] Nothing_in_Biology_Makes_Sense_Except_in_the_Light_of_Evolution
Consider all the spontaneous abortions (naturally occurring), still births, birth defects, etc. God created all those people specifically to die? I myself had a daughter that died a few moments after birth, due to birth defects. I don't think that was God's direct will (you will likely say His permissive will). And it is not just about my experience- it is multiplied my many times all over the world, even more in undeveloped nations (where even healthy babies and mom's die due to birth complications that could be avoided in the USA). So God made you and has plans for your life... what about all those others who died way too premature? This is not a TE or YEC question, but a question really posed for all Christians to consider... one I struggle with too.
Yes, I agree, the universe sucks. And we all suffer tragedy and wonder why. There is one decision we all have to make: Do we believe God is good in spite of it? That is the million dollar question.
Its not an academic subject by any means. Most people totally avoid deciding this until they experience suffering in their personal lives. And then it is an agonizing thought process.
Why does a loving God allow suffering and evil? It has to do with free will. He could easily fix it all if only he would override our free will.
Fred Heeren's book does a really good job of dealing with this. (Fred is a list member - and he gives me a 25% discount for plugging his book. No he doesn't.).
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Received on Mon Aug 17 12:01:18 2009
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