Misbeliefs About Christianity



God Isn’t A Mystery – The Bible And Evil

I desperately want others to understand God. There may be answers to our questions if we have any confusion about what we have heard and what we believe about a loving God. God may not be as mysterious as suggested. Many turn away from God for selfish or apathetic reasons and not because of some confusion or disenchantment with God’s character, but heaven forbid certain disputable images of God drive one person to unbelief or despair. Bad theology or lack of answers can make tragic times worse. I will discuss Old and New Testament passages suggested to imply that God or His ways are a mystery. Then, I will discuss how God’s goodness and evil can coexist. Some desire answers than hearing God is a mystery.

The Bible doesn’t necessarily claim that God’s character or His ways are a mystery and incomprehensible to the human mind. Some suggest certain aspects about God’s character are a mystery because their teachings about God are incompatible with most peoples’ idea of a loving God. For instance, some defend God chooses only certain ones for salvation while denying other the opportunity to believe. How God isn’t impartial in this decision is suggested to be a mystery. We will also discover that God’s ways are not mysterious or secretive. The details of how God would use Israel to bless all nations through the Messiah came to be revealed and known fully by the New Testaments followers. This was only a mystery to Old Testament believers as details were unknown.

I have this obsession with explaining God in rational and logical ways according to human reasoning. Many readily accept the “mysteries” of God, and this doesn’t impact their relationship with God negatively. I must admit that I don’t have to have all the answers. I trust God always has my back. If one day God tells me certain beliefs I have are wrong and indeed some of His ways are not rational to the human mind, God will explain with my personality makeup how I might have come to those conclusions. But, for whatever reason I am positively obsessed with the possibility that people may be more open to God or even more intimate with God if His ways are more concurrent with their imagination of what a loving God is really like.

God and Mystery in the Old Testament

There is no specific mention of a “mystery” or mysteries in the OT as it relates to God. The OT certainly mentions certain secrets known only by God or God ways are “higher” than our ways. A brief survey of a few OT passages will not confirm certain ways or aspects of God are unexplainable or incomprehensible to the human mind. Please read these passages within the context of their chapter and book.

In Genesis we read how Joseph’s provocative ways leads to brotherly jealousy. Joseph’s brothers entertained murderous thoughts and eventually sold him into slavery, only for Joseph to rise to power in Egypt. It is suggested Genesis 50:20 speaks to God’s mysterious ways when Joseph says to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of lives.” Is it mysterious though how divine sovereignty and human responsibility work together in this story? God never desires or wills evil to accomplish good. God always desires good. In this story God simply doesn’t interference with the freedom to act in immoral ways. There is no mystery how God, with His powers, can bring good from evil.

There may not be as much mystery suggested how God accomplishes His purposes and promises, despite allowing freedom, in the life of Pharaoh. God did not force Pharaoh against His will: “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart…” (Ex 7:3). Numerous times in the context of this story Pharaoh is said to harden his own heart: “But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go”(Ex 8:32). Why does the writer even include these acts of self-will if he believes Pharaoh has no voice in these matters? The point was that God would accomplish His plan to free the Egyptians whether or not Pharaoh cooperated with God’s plan or not. Moses even communicated God’s will to Pharaoh so he might have a choice (6:28). God doesn’t cause people to do evil to accomplish His will. God much rather accomplish His will by people doing good

There is no evidence that God violated Pharaoh’s freedom, though there is a limit to God’s mercy. There is a self-hardening in evil. It is not as if God hardens one’s heart despite their wish to be obedient to God. This is totally opposite of God’s nature and the rest of Scriptures. This story simply conveys that God used Pharaoh for His purposes to accomplish His will, which is always centered on His love for people. A present day example may be the life of Charles Colson and his sentence to prison after the Watergate matter. I might write: “God sent Charles Colson to prison ahead of time to accomplish great things for prisoners and their families for this generation and generations to come. God sent Colson to save lives for an eternity through the power of Christ.” I am not suggesting Chuck Colson’s imprisonment was a preordain event and human choices were circumvented by God. I am writing to teach that God can accomplish great things for His purposes based on events that happen through the free will decision of others.

Deuteronomy 29:29 says: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us, and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” The context suggests the secrets things were not mysterious but the unrevealed future and how God was going to keep His promise. Moses had just reminded his readers of God promise to Abraham that He will make Israel a great nation by blessing them (Deut 29:13, i.e. Gen 12:1-3). Remember, God promised to Israel’s ancestors a land flowing with milk and honey (Deut 26:15). Yet, future generations will see the calamities that have fallen on the Israelites land (29:22-24) because of God’s judgments against rebellion (29:25-28). How can God keep His word when Israel is so rebellious? It was not revealed at that time but we know God raised a Savior from Israel to save and bless all. God’s plans cannot be thwarted. Israel will become a great nation despite their rebellious ways.

The story of Job is often used to suggest God’s ways are incomprehensible. God wasn’t necessarily telling Job to stand down as God cannot be understood by mere mortals (38:2, 40:8). Job 2:10 hints of things to come in the story: “shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” God wasn’t the cause of evil and sufferings that came upon Job, but God did allow Satan to initiate the tragedies. Job perhaps was growing weary that his long lasting suffering was evidence of God’s injustice and lack of caring. Lack of physical or material blessings doesn’t suggest God doesn’t love us. Jesus’ sufferings were undeserved, but God hadn’t abandoned Him. God said to Job “would you discredit my justice” (40:8). It’s true that no evil has free rein unless allowed by God, but freedom is surely necessary for genuine relationships and intimacy to exist. With freedom people inflict harm on others, as Satan did in this story with Job. Job in his misery perhaps begin to assume God’s justice means the righteous never suffer or at least not for very long.

God doesn’t give Job a tongue lashing for trying to understand Him but for misunderstanding Him. God is not a mystery unable to be understood by mere mortals. Job seem to repent by realizing despite his suffering God still was just and had not stopped caring (42:2-3). We sometimes have to recognize our faith is more real when we follow God not in prosperous but difficult times. Suffering, as a result of freedom, had to become part of God’s story to lead us back to Him of our own volition. Freedom to commit evil against others will not thwart God’s plans for justice or eternal life.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says about God: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” The context suggests God’s ways are more righteous than our ways often. God does not desire distance between Him and us by suggesting we cannot understand Him. God encourages us to listen to Him (v. 3), seek God which implies He can be found (v.6). God exhorts His readers to forsake their wicked ways and thoughts and turn to God’s higher, righteous ways and thoughts so God can have mercy on them and forgive them (v.7).

God and Mystery in the New Testament

The word mystery or mysteries is referenced about 27 times in the New Testament. A brief survey of these passages will not suggest Jesus spoke in parables because God’s ways were mysterious. Scriptural truths remain mysterious and hidden to those that choose not to see. God’s truths are not given to a select few but for those that have ears to hear. Secondly, we will see in our brief survey that OT prophecies were a mystery only because details of fulfillment were not known fully until the events happened in New Testament times.

Jesus’ teachings were not purposely hidden but rejected and not pursued. Jesus did not prefer to speak in parables. Sometimes, parents can speak the truth to their children until blue in the face and be looked upon as creatures from outer space. There may be a better way to speak the truth than in a straightforward manner. King David didn’t listen to God, so God sent Nathan to confront in a form of a parable. Only then did David stop rejecting the truth. Mark 4: 11-12 doesn’t suggest Jesus keep secrets: “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, they may be every seeing but never perceiving…” Jesus isn’t playing favorites who can hear or not hear: “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (verse 9). God’s direct message is only perplexing sometimes to one’s heart but not the mind. The deep truths of the faith are obtainable (I Tim 3:9).

The mystery of Christ is the second reference to mystery in the NT. God’s plan of salvation through Christ didn’t become fully revealed until NT times. Paul says: “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2: 3-4). God doesn’t hide wisdom and knowledge from others; they are hidden because they are not sought openly. God told Abraham He intended to save all nations through Israel (Gen 12:3). Such knowledge was not fully understood until things came to pass in Christ. The rulers didn’t understand because they crucified Christ (I Cor 2: 7-10).

The mystery is not how God elects some for salvation and excludes others. Multiple passages reveal the details that were not understood in its entirety, that God has chosen Christ to save the world through the chosen nation of Israel. God all along didn’t choose Israel as the only nation to save; God choose Israel to save the world. It is not favoritism when all win. Paul says to the Jews: “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not think you are superior…” (Romans 11:25; i.e. Rm 16:25-26). When the Jews or we think God’s gift is exclusive we may think we are better than others. God revealed this mystery more fully to NT readers how all Jews and Gentiles are to share in God’s blessings (Eph 3: 3, 4, 9, i.e. Col 1:26-27, 2:3, I Tim 3: 16).

God doesn’t choose individuals before Creation to believe in Him. God chose Christ to respond to the devastation caused by sin. Ephesians 1:4 says God “chose us in Him before the creation of the world to holy and blameless in His sight.” Verse 5 explains God’s predestination act is choosing Christ as the Savior for those who would accept God’s gift. Similarly, Romans 8:28, 29 says God foreknew those who love Him to be conformed to the likeness of God’s Son. God not respecting one’s freedom to choose is foreign to the context and the rest of Scriptures. Ephesians 1:11 repeats again we are chosen through Christ. On what basis is one chosen through Christ?  “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (v. 13). God’s promise to Israel has now been fully revealed.

The Mystery of Evil and God’s Goodness

The ultimate mystery for many is how evil or suffering and God’s goodness can co-exist. Why does a loving God allow suffering to happen in the first place or not intervene more often? The truth is most of suffering results from human nature, whether self-inflicted or inflicted by others. Wars, crimes, and injustices resulting from evil choices make by cruel and lawless people, account for at least the majority of suffering. Rebellion against God also set in motion the deterioration of physical nature, though this certainly is not a full explanation for all of natural evil or disasters. When humans rebelled all hell broke loose, both environmentally and personally.

When someone is hurting, the last thing they may want to discuss is God and their suffering. They may need everyone to shut up and simply be present and available should we want to ask for help. When we lose a loved one, we don’t want to always hear “someday we will see them in heaven.” We want to be with our loved one NOW! I suggest though we develop a theology of suffering ahead of time for ourselves. Suffering is inevitable in this fallen world. Job teaches us to be prepared to answer how God loves us, which does not alienate us but draws us closer to the great Comforter. “Why, me!” can sometimes turn into "why God do you not love me.”

The biblical writers don’t imply inherent difficulties with God’s goodness and suffering co-existing. Their silence may suggest coexistence was self-explanatory. The Bible does clearly dispute assumptions why God allows suffering. Job’s friends were mistaken to assume one’s suffering is a clear sign of sin in their life, proving God’s displeasure. Also, Job may have begun to assume and feel God didn’t care by allowing his suffering. God did not get angry at Job for trying to understand things he was incapable of as a mere human. Job’s response to God’s reprimand suggests he accepted that God knew a thing or two about how to run a free world that has chosen to rebel again their Creator. What does the Bible suggest about the origins of suffering and why God allows so much suffering?

God did not cause suffering in the beginning. Whoever wrote Genesis used sources written closer to the time of the events recorded (Gen 5:1). God created humans to have friendships with those made in His image. God desired people who would relate to Him in love than out of fear. God knew real friendship could only emerge when one is free to reject Him. God created the tree of knowledge of good and evil (2:18), but this doesn’t suggest God is the originator of evil.  We usually don’t speak of trees as possessing evil. Evil comes from the hearts of humans. The Tree surely represents God doing the first couple a favor by setting up a "test of obedience" so they would not be caught off guard by choices in a free world. Freedom misused could be the demise of Adam and Eve and future generations. Loving parent always warn their loved ones of dangers ahead.

God didn’t create evil that leads to sin. Evil stems from misguided desires. Sin is only actualized when we abuse freedom to the detriment of ourselves and others. The story of the Garden is one of desired intimacy and friendship, freedom to trust or reject, unconditional love whatever choices are made, and warnings for protections. God cannot create and guarantee life without death, violence, suffering, and struggle and yet there be genuine free will. God created the potential for suffering because He created humans with the freedom to love or hate. God is not responsible for choices His children brought into the world, any more than human parents are responsible for the decisions of their offspring. An all-powerful, invulnerable God comes at the expense of freedom.

Why does God allow so much suffering? God may intervene more than we give Him credit for. God is always exhorting us to flee from sin. The world could be a lot worse without God’s influence. If God interferes only sometimes we would complain the times He doesn’t interfere. If God controls the world to ever minute detail, we would cry “oppression.” Hypocritically, we demand God stop evil but we often do nothing ourselves to stop the evil of others. Global evil exists such as torturing and killing millions of people simply because of their nationality, but one person killed or sexually abused is tragic.  Evil is evil, regardless of the magnitude. Asking God to control all circumstances would make a farce out of freedom. And of course we want God to zap others but show mercy for ourselves and loved ones.

God’s patience shows He values forgiveness rather than instant justice. One time God did destroy the whole world with a Flood in hopes of beginning anew and evil not returning. That didn’t work out. God accepted the hand He was dealt after the Flood. God does not destroy at the first sign of opposition. God tolerates evil than instantly judges to change this chaotic world through their own free will, though justice is eventually served for victims. Every single human being beginning with Adam and Eve has not trusted in God’s ways at times. The only thing God is guilty of is not destroying evildoers, or picking and choosing which ones, instantly when decisions are made.

Suffering can enable us to not fall in love with what the world offers. I am more likely to depend on God and thus be less self-centered during adversity than prosperity. Also, God allowing suffering may be the only way for us to influence others. Martin Luther King’s suffering moved the scales from the eyes of many how they tolerated bigotry. Children receiving undeserved insults can enable them to relate to and help others bullied. My motive to avoid pain at all cost. God’s motive is to do everything possible to love the selfish into unselfishness while preserving freedom. Jesus came as a suffering servant than ruling king to have the greatest influence. After sin entered the world, suffering may be the only megaphone that can reach people about what really matters in life.

God has responded to suffering but His answer is still a painful one. God’s ultimate response to evil and all the suffering that results in a free world is the slow, apparently necessary way of the Incarnation. God will do anything to oppose our rebellion while preserving our freedom. God desired to turn as many people from evil while still allowing the freedom to choose. Jesus’ miracles turned heads but not hearts; Jesus’ suffering changed the world forever. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection allow us to feel freedom from guilt and empowerment to be all God created us to be. Some will die for a good person; Jesus died for all. Jesus sought to persuade us of our own volition.

God didn’t answer Jesus’ request either to intervene with His undeserved suffering. There was no greater torture during those days than dying on a Cross. We usually don’t kill folks who make claims to be God, but the religious at that time were intimated and thought they were better off if Jesus was dead than alive. Well, we know the end of the story. It turns out Jesus was God. Jesus promised to rise from the dead and He did. No other religious figure has even dared to make such a promise. We have reliable, historical evidence that Jesus was dead and that Jesus resurrected from the dead. Our faith is not based on a future promise but an undeniable past event.

The traditional, legal view of the story of the Cross does not adequately convey what God real intentions were in not interfering in Jesus’ suffering. Jesus didn’t die to appease God so God could forgive us and be emotionally free to love us. Jesus didn’t have to die so God could start forgiving sins. Jesus, before the Cross, forgave sins and told others they could be in paradise with Him one day. Forgiveness by God happened before the Cross. Do we really think God was so mad at sinners that He had to kill His own Son? If someone wronged me and the only way I could satisfy my anger and forgive was to kill my child, what does that say about me as a parent? God was not like other gods who had to be appeased for no good reason other than their own selfish desires.

The Cross was not to satisfy some need in God at the expense of His Son but to satisfy a need in us at His expense. Law court judges care to impart justice; a biblical judge cared to liberate and persuade to do right. God’s actions were to restore not judge. The Cross is not about payment but empowerment from sin and death. The Cross is not a one-time act of justice. Jesus exhorts us to take up the Cross daily and follow him. (Lk 9:23) The Cross is an act of continual love to influence us to trust in God. God always has our best interest in mind. The Cross demonstrates the length to which God will go to prove this. Jesus bought in! Jesus’ death was God’s attempt in human flesh to win our hearts over. The Cross empowers us to be comfortable with God despite our guilty feelings. We don’t have to run and hide for cover as Adam and Eve did.

The Cross demonstrates how destructive sin is, that forgiveness is not without a cost. Suffering, rather than miracles, is sometimes the only way to loosen the grips of evil on us. Our suffering may be the only way to lead us and others to our Creator’s unconditional and unbelievable love. Vulnerability leads one to reflect inwardly and seek transformation. God hurts as much as human parents when their children suffer. A parent isn’t sadistic just because they don’t squash freedom to avoid suffering. It is best God not answer many of my prayers.  It is not necessarily true that if God instantly stopped all suffering, whether from personal or natural evil, I or the world would be better off. Once evil was chosen suffering became necessary so God could lead us to a paradise appropriate for free beings.

Summary

There may be satisfactory answers though we may not like the answer. God came in the flesh so we might better understand Him. Is it really a mystery how an all-powerful, caring God can co-exist with suffering brought about by evil? Questions dismissed as unanswerable may be answerable. Some may argue it is defiant to think we have a right to question the Creator of the Universe, and we must simply trust God. I suspect God does not mind being questioned and may think like a loving parent “please just don’t ignore me for your own good.” It is reasonable to expect God’s ways to feel rational to the human emotions and make logical sense to the human mind, since we are made in His image. God’s ways surely are more comprehensible than incomprehensible. This viewpoint enables us to explain our God to others.

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