Book Notes – Why God



Traditional Versus Rational Response – Suffering And God’s Goodness

Mike Edwards

October 13, 2011

Outline Page

Introduction 2

Traditional Versus Nontraditional Explanations for Evil 2-3

God’s Invulnerability 3-4

God’s Vulnerability 4-5

How God Doesn’t React To Evil 5

How God Has Chosen To Respond To Evil 6

Conclusion 6-7

Final Words 7

Appendix I – Natural Evil 8-10

Appendix 2 – Does God Know The Future? 11

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version, Copyright 2005 by the Zondervan Corporation

The gods of the nations in biblical times were described as either male or female. By contrast, the Jews did not speculate about the “masculinity” of God. God is referred to as father and a pregnant woman crying out in labor. (Isaiah 42:14) Female and male best describe God’s image. (Genesis 1:26) Most languages do not have gender-neutral pronouns. It would be distracting to use alternate pronouns when referring to God. I believe we best capture God’s essence when we think of God as our Perfect Heavenly Parent as opposed to just our Heavenly Father, especially for those who have a poor example of an earthly father. For conventional reasons only, I have chosen to refer to God as He when unavoidable. Also, I capitalize the pronoun when referring to God because of who He is.

Burton Cooper in his short book Why, God said it best: “we are a sad company, those of us who attempt to resolve the problem of evil.” I desperately seek to explain God’s goodness despite evil so God might be a Comforter during difficult times. Many turn away from God for selfish or apathetic reasons and not because of some confusion or disenchantment with His character, but heaven forbid certain disputable images of God drive one person to unbelief or despair. One traditional explanation on this subject suggests suffering, as a result of evil, is God’s providential plan and someday we will understand. One may conclude God doesn’t care about them. We must defend God from any blame for evil to avoid any misconceptions or mistruths about Him.

I think it is helpful for discussion to think of all of suffering as resulting from either personal or natural evil. When I refer to evil I am also referring to suffering. C.S Lewis suggested that wars, crimes, and injustices - evils that come through bad choices make by cruel and lawless people - account for at least 80% of humankind suffering. The truth is much of suffering is either self- inflicted because of immoral choices made or inflicted upon us by others intentionally. Some suffering could be described as unintentional such as surgical mistakes made by tired physicians. There is also suffering caused by natural evil by way of disease or natural disaster. Natural evil is more difficult to explain and I will attempt to do so in an appendix.

I have written in greater detail elsewhere on this subject. This is my latest attempt to justify the goodness of God despite evil as briefly as possible so others might read it. Being brief can come off as terribly simplistic, so hopefully the reader will continue to read elsewhere for questions that are raised. I believe there are better explanations than some of the traditional answers given. I believe God is far more comprehensible than incomprehensible than He has been given credit for. God created us in His image, came down in the flesh in the form of Jesus, and preserved inspired writings so we might better understand Him.

Even if I claimed to have the answer to God and evil, this still may not make things right between God and a person in tough times. Each must work out an acceptable answer for themselves in times of tragedy. You may find traditional explanations satisfactory. Please be open-minded that certain traditional explanations may not be helpful or rational to others. Bad theology or lack of answers can make tragic times worse. Theology must be relevant to be useful.

I hesitate to write on the topic of suffering because the amount of my suffering does not compare to most in this world. Those who have suffered and relied on God may be the best to consult with. Christians because of their belief in God may have more challenges than atheists in resolving the issue of suffering. Christians must bring into the discussion how the goodness of God can be explained. The truth of the matter is atheists as well have to explain suffering and how to cope with it. I have decided that suffering with God than being along is the more desirable option.

Traditional Versus Nontraditional Explanations For Evil

Traditional views of God wish to explain evil so that God remains all powerful as opposed to vulnerable. The desire for an unlimited God, as opposed to a God who limits Himself, may come at too high a cost. Some receive comfort that God controls all circumstances in their life despite freedom, but this logically suggests God brings physical or sexual abuse into a child’s life. Another viewpoint expresses a God who chooses to be vulnerable by taking risks rather than being controlling. God’s vulnerability appears from the very beginning: “The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.” [Genesis 6:7] Do we really wish to defend that God secretly willed a rebellion against Himself so He could ride in on a white horse and save the world?

Many believe God is directing everything that happens. I am not suggesting one must change their beliefs. Many though struggle with what appears to be God pulling strings in heaven as to what tragedy we may or may not experience. Did God really select which people would escape the 911 terrorist attacks? God can still be sovereign, even though He gives up control for the sake of freedom. God does not lose control because tragedies are not directly caused or controlled by Him. Many are more comforted knowing that God does not cause all their sufferings, that God grieves as He does not desire our suffering, that God will walk hand-in hand with us through any tragedy to bring good from it (though he does not orchestrate evil to accomplish this), and that God promises an end to suffering as He has conquered death. Also, God did not avoid suffering by allowing His Son to be crucified for false accusations, hoping to gain our trust in Him.

I would never argue God has limited power for that seems foolish to suggest about the Creator of the Universe. God does not cause suffering but obviously God does allow suffering by not stopping it. God is limited only in the sense God cannot make people to choose Him freely. God is no more responsible for evil than an earthly parent who births and doesn’t constantly interfere in their child’s choices. If you love something you must set it free. If it comes back it is yours. If it doesn't, it was never yours in the first place. No amount of good resulting from evil justifies the evil actions of others, but was God’s risk in allowing freedom necessary to obtain the highest good in relationships?

God’s Invulnerability

Some theists have said the Bible teaches evil is decreed by God before creating the foundations of the world. Traditional theists seek to protect God’s sovereignty by suggesting nothing happens outside the will of God. God not only knows what is going to happen, but He also plans good or bad to happen. It has been written God actually foreordain evil ahead of time to accomplish His good purposes and declare His glory. Skeptics can rightly ask why God could not show His goodness by not requiring evil. There are no logical explanations so traditional theists must argue because of their viewpoint that there are unsolvable mysteries in explaining how divine sovereignty and human responsibility are always compatible. With this view God inexplicably is not responsible for evil.

To justify the presence of suffering, it is suggested that since God’s standard is perfection and we all fall short as sinners, any good fortune is more than we really deserve. We are all unworthy. Any good is grace! God doesn’t have to be fair. He is God! Such rationalizations are totally unsatisfactory in understanding or explaining God to others. This does not explain why God allows evil to happen in the first place. This does not explain the different degrees of suffering to different people. Are we to believe not only that God wills evil but that He wills evil in particular ways such as bombs blowing off limbs?

Academically qualified theists believe passages such as Ephesians 1:4-11 refer to God’s predestined plan for good and evil. I have written elsewhere that this passage and others refer to God’s predestined plan of salvation through Christ ahead of time, should creation chose to rebel against Him. The traditional view that God causes evil, rather than God uses evil to bring good, is difficult to understand must less explain to others. Scriptures say and imply God is not the tempter of evil. (i.e. James 1:13; I John 1:5) One must admit this view of evil for the majority seems morally and emotionally indefensible. I believe when there is debate concerning the meaning of the biblical text and God’s character, we must err on the side of the interpretation that portrays God as more relational and comprehensible to the human mind. God forbid disputable images or understandings of God’s role in evil drive people to unbelief or despair

Traditional theists don’t always argue that God preordains evil, only that God knows the future and choices we will make. God allows and controls evil to accomplish His good purposes. It may be suggested that we should not expect answers to far reaching questions such as how God’s knowledge of the future is compatible with human freedom. An antinomy has been suggested when it comes to understanding God’s sovereignty (God controls all things) and human responsibility (human are still responsible for their choices). Isn’t it reasonable to expect God’s ways to feel rational to the human emotions, make logical sense to the human mind, and be more comprehensible than incomprehensible since we are made in God’s image? Questions dismissed as unanswerable may be answerable. God seemingly preserved inspired writings for current and future generations to understand Him better.

Why was God so tough on a man described as "blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8) We want to be careful making too many parallels from Job's story in our own lives. All suffering from evil is not some cosmic play between God and Satan. The book of Job clearly teaches to not assume suffering is the result of sin. Job’s friends keep telling him to simply repent to avoid further punishment by God.  Blaming evil or pain and suffering on individual sin is misguided. Lack of physical or materials blessings is not evidence of lack of God's love as maybe Job begin to feel.

 

Why did God give Job a tongue lashing in chapter 38? Was God reprimanding Job for trying to understand God or because Job assumed God only loves you if He doesn't allow suffering in one’s life? [i.e. daily petal Christianity]  It is true no evil has free rein unless allowed by God, but maybe Job eventually wore down and questioned if God cared since God didn’t stop the suffering in his life. Least we be too judgmental of Job, remember he did not have the vantage point of readers about the cosmic warfare between the Creator and the Evil One. Do we begin to assume God doesn’t care when our problems are not wiped away? Did Job repent by letting go of an all-controlling God? Job finally realized despite suffering God still cares and has not lost control.

Misguided freedom, whether diabolical or human, does not create a fair world for humans or God. Freedom gone awry has cause progressive deterioration both of human nature and the physical world.  God allows evil and suffering for nothing can happen beyond His control, but I proudly stand accused of wanting to absolve God of any blame when it comes to evil. Evil is not some grand scheme by God! God allows suffering because genuine love can only emerge when one is free to reject it. God by nature is a merciful and forgiving God. The alternative is instant judgment. We demand instant justice for all but ourselves. We may not always know why God does or doesn’t interfere. We must ultimately accept as Job that God is more capable than humans in running the universe where freedom is allowed. Suffering became part of God's story if He was to allow freedom. God’s ways may not always be our ways, thankfully.

God’s Vulnerability

How we answer “Why, God?” in times of distress is critical to our relationship with God. I believe the overwhelming evidence is that God made Himself extremely vulnerable by choosing to respect individual freedom. Human parents take similar risks when they have children. A genuine relationship is only possible if one is free to choose to return one’s love in return. If there is to be genuine freedom, there must be the opportunity to love as well as to hate. God respects and works with the freedom He has given us rather than manipulates or overrides it. Not even God can create a free world and eliminate the possibility of evil and suffering. Perhaps the biblical writers didn’t attempt to explain evil, because they understood we live in a world with people intent to live out their own selfish desires and not the will of God.

God, because of who He is, ultimately permits every evil but this does not mean evil permitted by God is necessarily for a greater purpose. The good that results never justifies any evil, but God has not abandoned us and works with choices made by humans. The only way God could have stopped evil was to not have risked creating. One way some people solve evil and God’s goodness is to suggest God has limits. I cannot imagine the Creator of the universe is not all powerful and capable of doing anything He wants to do. If we believe God is limitless, then we must still explain why God allows evil and does not interfere with much evil and suffering. God obviously does not stop a great deal of senseless suffering. How does God not react to evil and how does God seemingly respond to evil?

How God Doesn’t React To Evil

God does not prevent freedom, which often leads to evil, because freedom is necessary for genuine intimacy to exist. From God’s perspective three deaths are not better than four deaths, two women raped is not better than three raped, and just one child abused is not better than two children abused. Any selfish act is one to many as God’s standards far exceed human standards. If God rid of everyone who has ever caused pain by an act of selfishness, no one would be left. All evil is not the same, but if God was to stop evil before it happens and to be true to character, He would have to stop any wrongdoing. God’s total or constant interference would make a mockery out of freedom. Besides, God stopping evil for only some people would lead to accusations that God doesn’t care enough or chooses favorites. Where there is freedom there is a will. Where there is a will apparently there will always be evil.

God does not impose His will on us. If God would just stay on top of us 24/7, would we respond and become the kind of people we long for deep in our souls? Does imposing our will or demanding respect from our spouse brings about desired reconciliation? Parents understand imposing their will on their older children does not bring about the changes desired. We might achieve compliance in the short-run, but often at the expense of a long-term, genuine relationship. Do we think we are wiser and less selfish with our children than God with His children? Individually, peace with our enemies is not achieved by imposing our will. The best way to change hatred or rebellion is to not respond in like manner, to not take revenge, to always be prepared to forgive if forgiveness is sought. This is what God does for us.

God does not overwhelm us with His power. If God would just overwhelm us with His presence, would we not commit evil acts? God’s visibility and miracles has not stopped evil. The Israelites, despite God’s visible presence at times and direct interventions, kept going back to their selfish ways. God parted the Red Sea; God fed them manna from the Heavens; God provided water from a rock. How many times have we been spared of certain hardships or been on the end of miraculous interventions, only to go back to previous attitudes or actions to some degree. Jesus did heart-stopping miracles, including coming back from the dead, but most responded with skepticism. Changing a person’s heart apparently requires more than displays of power or miracles. Miracles turn heads, but they don’t always turn hearts against evil.

God does not destroy or annihilate people at the first sign of opposition or before evil gets out of hand. At the first sign of evil are we going to destroy our children? Aren’t we going to think how we can influence and win them back without denying them the freedom to choose, so we can experience true intimacy? God values freedom and by nature is forgiving and merciful to allow for change. Frankly, if God destroyed us at the first sign of evil or disobedience according to His standards, none of us would be alive. God doesn’t always destroy people even when there is continuous, severe opposition. Evil got so bad in Noah’s lifetime God took drastic action but future generations after Noah’s proved beginning anew does not destroy evil permanently.

How God Has Chosen To Respond to Evil

God has an unchangeable purpose through history to save as many of His children as possible, no matter how bad it gets. Freedom is necessary to change the world through their own volition. God is extremely patient, merciful, forgiving, and perseverant. God seeks to “break through” to human beings to restore what has been lost. God may have thought when answering Job’s questioning of His ways on these matters – “When you understand how difficult it is to run a world where there is genuine freedom and know what I should and shouldn’t do, call Me!” God’s reprimand to Job in Chapter 38 wasn’t because God is unexplainable but because Job assumed if you acted righteous, as he did, then you can aspect God’s protection from suffering. Did Job assume God didn’t care if He didn’t constantly interfere?

It is not necessarily true that if God instantly stopped all suffering, whether from personal or natural evil, the world would be better off. I am not necessarily a better person the less I suffer. I am more likely to depend on God the most during uncertain time. Dependence than independence from God best makes us the kind of person we so badly desire to be. Often, we can only influence others to consider the important matters in life by them witnessing how we handle suffering. Witnessing miracles in others’ lives has proven to not have a long-term impact. Jesus’ suffering rather than His miracles had a more lasting impact. Did Martin Luther King have to suffer to move the scales from the eyes of many how they tolerated bigotry? God’s ultimate response to evil is the slow, necessary way of the Incarnation.

Once evil was chosen suffering perhaps became necessary so God could lead us to a paradise appropriate for free beings. Our need for an all-powerful, invulnerable God comes at the expense of freedom. (Burton, 83) Jesus showed us how to respond to suffering and live in this world to turn as many people as possible from evil. Suffering is the only way to loosen the grips of evil on us and others sometimes. Vulnerability best leads one to reflect inwardly and seek transformation. In Scripture there is the image of the all almighty God as well as the vulnerable God. Why does God allowed Himself to be vulnerable than control things to avoid His own pain? God understand people just are not impressed by constantly interfering with the consequences of freedom.

Conclusions

Evil resulted when we rebelled against God from the beginning. God did not secretly plan a rebellion against Himself so He could ride in on a white horse and save the world. Evil is not some grand scheme by God. Even God cannot create and guarantee life without death, violence, suffering, and struggle and yet there be genuine free will. God is not responsible for choices His creations make any more than human parents are responsible for the decisions of their offspring. Genuine love can only emerge when one is free to reject it. Parents, as God, attempt to persuade their children to reciprocate their love for their own benefit. 

Humans are free to love or hate to whatever degree they wish. God willingly gave up control for the sake of freedom. Many may receive comfort from the idea that God controls both good and bad times, but do we really think God chooses which children are to die from starvation? Do we really think God allows some children to be abused but not others because of some grand purpose? God does promise to use suffering for good if we look to Him, as He did with Jesus' suffering caused by others. This does not mean God orchestrates evil to accomplish this.

God does not have a different standard of evil than humans. What is sicker or more evil than torturing and killing millions of people simply because of their nationality or the family they were born into? What is more horrible than when an adult sexually abuses a young child for years, threatening them if they tell anyone of their dirty little secret? Evil is evil, regardless of the magnitude or how many humans are impacted. There would be no freedom if God interfered with evil according to His or even our own standards.

God tolerates evil, than instantly judges, to change this chaotic world. Justice is served eventually, God grieves with us, and God does intervene. God’s ultimate response to evil is the slow, necessary way of the Incarnation. God proved He would do anything to oppose our rebellion while preserving our freedom. Jesus' life and death was an attempt to persuade and enable as many as possible to treat others as Jesus did. God allows suffering because He values freedom and is by nature a merciful and forgiving

It is not always wise to prevent our children from suffering consequences, whether self-inflicted or the result of a fallen world. Preventing suffering can stunt human growth. Suffering enables us to not fall in love with temporal existence and love what the world offers.  It forces us to look to God and His perfect ways, which happens most often during adversity than prosperity. God allows suffering as a megaphone to distract us from our own selfishness. 

Jesus' sufferings than miracles is what really changed hearts. Our sufferings than healings can do the same in the lives of others. Undeserved suffering, such as insults, can make us more sensitive to others in similar situations. Personal sufferings can enable us to be trusted by others, because we have "walked in their shoes." We can trust Jesus because He has faced and conquered all the adversities we face. God allows suffering as a megaphone to enable us to better serve others

Final Words

I am sure I did not answer all your questions. I may not have explained something as well as you wanted. I may just have raised further questions for you to seek answers. I hope you will browse my website for further information if desired at mikeedwards123. One may be reading this because you are seeking a relevant theology for your own suffering currently or for the future. You may be seeking answers to have an explanation for others who question you about evil and God’s goodness. Please just be careful that traditional responses to this age old question are often not satisfactory to some seekers and skeptics. Be open-minded in your discussions.

Appendix 1 – Natural Evil

Personal evil rather than natural evil can be easier to explain and understand. C.S. Lewis suggested that wars, crimes, and injustices – evils that come through bad choices make by cruel and lawless people – account for at least 80% of humankind suffering. Much of suffering is either self-inflicted or inflicted by others. But, natural disasters including diseases cannot be traced to a human's freedom to inflict evil upon others. Some disasters in the Bible are stated to be God’s specific punishment to encourage change for future generations. (i.e. The Flood in Genesis 6-8) No one can claim to know any disaster in our lifetime is God's divine punishment. It should never be implied that natural evil is a result of personal sin. People give birth to a deformed infant or deal with cancer or any other kind of physical ailment no fault of their own

The Genesis account, though often assumed otherwise, does not report God caused physical death, childbirth pain, relationship problems, or all environmental catastrophes. Genesis warns freedom gone awry will cause progressive deterioration of the physical body as well as the physical world. God, as Creator of both humans and the physical world, could easily predict consequences that were in opposition to His design. Can’t the designer of a car predict certain disasters if the vehicle is not used in the way that is was intended? Can’t parents warn their children of potential consequences if certain choices are made? Sin led to human demise. God created a perfect world to the last detail. God intended for humans to have perfect bodies, perfect health, and freedom from natural disasters. 

Physical death appears to be a natural consequence of sin. God warned Adam opposing God’s will would result in death: “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”(Gen. 2:17) God did the first couple a favor by setting up a “test of obedience” so they would be better prepared for choices in a free world. God was warning that self-reliance in a world of freedom is doomed for disaster. What loving parent doesn’t warn their children ahead of time about certain choices? Though I would have no problem if God determined physical death was an appropriate consequence for the abuse of freedom, this is not what the author necessarily had in mind. Adam lived to be 930 years old. (Gen. 5:5) Gradually, due to freedom gone array, life spans decreased to seventy to eighty years old in Moses’ time. (Ps. 90:10) Walter Kaiser, a well respected Old Testament scholar, suggests the meaning of Genesis 2:17 intended by the author in the Hebrew language:

In this case, spiritual death was the immediate outcome of disobedience demonstrated by a deliberate snatching of real fruit from a real tree in a real garden. Death ensued immediately: They became “dead…in transgressions and sins” (Eph 2:1-3). But such separation and isolation from God eventually resulted in physical death as well. This, however, was more a by-product than a direct result of their sin. Spiritual death was the real killer. (Hard Sayings Of The Old Testament, 22)

Genesis 3:16 further reports Adam’s and Eve’s choice to rebel against God had relational consequences both in the parenting and marriage relationship. The second part of Gen 3:16 says: “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Did God cause marital relationship problems or is the writer of Genesis warning relational problems are a natural consequence of spiritual death? God is not mandating relationship roles, as often this passage is interpreted to suggest God appointed husband leader over his wife. God is describing problems not prescribing roles as a result of humankind’s choice to alienate themselves from God. God did not cause or command woman to desire man more than Himself and man to rule. God does not cause women to look to men for their support and thus man to take advantage of this overindulgence. We do these things perfectly fine on our own. Spiritual death set in motion all sorts of relational problems rather than blessings that naturally follow when living righteously.

Similarly, did God cause environment disasters or are they natural consequences for sin? Genesis 3:17-19 says: “To Adam he said, ‘Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ ‘Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.’” This passage is describing what will result in nature as man chooses to live on his own out under the counsel of God, which is similar to the warning about relationships in verse 16. God doesn’t actually curse lands all over the world. When land is neglected it will quickly be taken over by weeds. Instead of caring for the land, we exploit and destroy nature by pollution of air and water and other acts of destruction to the soil and vegetation. We underestimate freedom gone array both on human as well as physical nature.

The Genesis writer did not necessarily have in mind that God caused natural disasters because of rebellion against the Creator of the natural world. Our freedom to oppose God led to all sorts of calamity including physical death, relationship problems, and environmental evils. There are many passages that talk about God being able to control natural forces and bring them down to bare on us if necessary. (De. 28:58-63, Jer. 10:17-25, Jonah 1 when God caused a violent storm to follow Jonah as He was fleeing God) Many passages speak of God’s ability to control but not necessarily that He is always causing such variables. Rebellion against God set in motion the deterioration of the earth, which leads to all kinds of natural disasters. Similarly, genetic defects have formed over the generations, leading to birth abnormalities. God is not behind and to be blamed for all birth defects. When humans rebelled all hell broke loose, both environmentally and personally.

Death could be a blessing, since pain and suffering isn’t present in heaven. Eden may have been a place one would live forever. Was the first couple banished from the Garden (Gen 3:23) so they could be reunited in heaven with their loved one killed? Can we trust God to best respond to the challenges of evil when freedom exists? Parents know that when a teenage child chooses to do something wrong, lack of any consequences only encourages the same selfish behavior. No response results in personal ruin and the destruction of others they come across. Personally, I have never met one more righteous than God. I challenge anyone to open the book to their life - thoughts not seen by others and actions no one knows about - and prove they live according to their own value system. Who is of higher character than our Creator?

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti killed over a hundred thousand people. It has been said Haiti was being punished by God for certain pagan practices such as voodoo. If this is true why has America not been destroyed for killing over 50 million babies through abortion even though the mother's life/health was not in danger? We abort though we do not know for sure when life begins and when a baby in the womb feels pain. I read that the earth is constructed of tectonic plates and when they collide, what is atop them can be destroyed.  Is the shifting of these plates underground related to the changing mood of God?  God intended humans to have perfect bodies, perfect health, and freedom from natural disasters.

It has been said in Haiti that when tectonic plates under the earth collided, atop them was a particularly densely populated, poorly constructed city in a country which had been poorly governed for centuries. The suffering of the Haitians was further complicated by overcrowding and poor building practices. And we curse God for letting it happen! Who made money in the construction of the city in the manner that it was? Why wasn’t a better warning system in place? Was this money used for other greedy purposes? In other situations instead of caring for the land, we exploit and destroy nature by pollution of air and water and other acts of destruction to the soil and vegetation. We must not underestimate progressive damage over the centuries. When humans rebelled, all hell broke loose, both environmentally and personally.  Rebellion against God set in motions the deterioration of physical nature as it did human nature.

God allows evil people to commit evil acts; God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. Evil, whether personal or natural, is not some grand scheme by God! God or humans don’t measure evil in terms of how many humans are impacted. Tragedy is tragedy, regardless of its magnitude. God would need to interfere with all natural disasters but there would be no freedom as we know it. Could God simply build anti-human elements into nature to protect the innocent from natural evil? Could God manufacture events so only people who deserved to be affected were? If this is true, God could have done the same for moral evil. It appears suffering is necessary to preserve freedom. God is not some sadist! Sometimes, people experience more than their share of evil, sometimes less. The fact that God gave up control for the sake of freedom does not mean that He does not grieve, that He does not respond to evil, or that He does not suffer as well. Perhaps one reason God doesn't interfere with the natural processes of freedom is because He knows something about human nature we do not accept.

Jesus story of the tower falling in Luke 13:4-5 suggests suffering is not caused by God or one's sins, but suffering around us does give pause for all to reflect the shortness of life and the importance of living purposefully. If God intervened or prevented all natural disasters, would millions of people ever reevaluate their priorities in life? God can and does bring good out of terrible tragedies. Sudden rescue or divine intervention doesn't always make us the kind of people we need to become. Miracles only turned heads but not hearts. Sudden richness leaves us wanted more of the same, often at the expense of others. The truth is the world and I am changed for the better during suffering than prosperity. Change sometimes is only possible when we don't interfere with the natural consequences of freedom gone awry. God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies if we don't allow a misunderstanding of God's role in the world to prevent that.

Appendix 2 – Does God Know The Future?

Open theists suggest the Bible’s emphasis is much more on God’s openness then knowing history and actions in advance, which best preserves the integrity of human freedom and responsibility. Traditional theists suggest God not knowing the future is to limit God and is not the best biblical account. Our understanding of God can affect the way we think about God’s role in evil and suffering.  I believe the open view is superior from a relational point of view with our Creator. Is it easier for the majority to worship a God who accepts no resistance or a God who gives freedom?

God cannot create life without death, violence, suffering, and struggle and yet there be genuine free will. Not even God can force genuine love. God can still be omniscient (all knowing) and not know the future, if the future is not knowable. God is everywhere in the universe at the same time, so His knowledge is unimaginably extensive. With God’s omniscience (complete knowledge) and His omnipotence (unlimited power, authority, influence), one can imagine how God does not loss control though the future is open. This is what makes Him God. Future prophecies in the Bible could be conditional based on human responses to God's mandates. Prophecies such as the virgin birth or resurrection, brought about by God’s miraculous powers, did not violate anyone’s freedom.

 

God not having foreknowledge of an unknown future seems to give more integrity to passages that speak of God grieving, relenting, giving another chance, etc. If God already knows what someone is going to do, one can legitimately ask if there is genuine freedom. Are they truly free to do anything different? If the future can be known, we could say God grieves because man either sins or obeys and this still can impact God at the moment. We could say God knows what is going to happen but still engages with us; it simply is harder to relate to.

Freedom was one of God’s initial creative acts. Freedom resulted in sin, but God overcame sin through the Incarnation. God can’t promise us a life without problems. He can’t promise evil will not impact us. He does promise us justice one day. He does promise us the hope of a life to come without evil. He does promise to walk alongside us to give peace, in the midst of evil, that passes all human understanding. God does promise to use us to change others for the better if we will accept His plan in response to sin resulting from freedom.

Those who believe that the future is predetermined might assume there is only one choice or path to follow in be in God’s will. This can cause much anxiety in discovering God’s will for one’s life. With an open future view, there does not have to be one predetermined direction we must take. There can be many avenues we can travel to accomplish God’s will in our lives. God may be far more creative and able than we give Him credit for. It may be asking too much for the reader to accept that an all-powerful God does not know the future before it happens. It can be suggested God knows all the possibilities of decisions that can be made, which choices you will make, and what His plan is in response to what choice you make. One does not have to worry about knowing God’s specific will for their life.

A known or predetermined future is not required from a biblical perspective. We do not have to defend a fixed future’s logical conclusion that God imposes His will on others. People will always complain why God doesn’t take pain away in their life. But, we do not have to suggest God knows or foreordains evil but then holds humans responsible. We do not have to suggest an explanation to the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsible that implies God foreordains events such as the Holocaust, domestic violence, or the sexual abuse of children. Evil is present because of the choices we make. God sending His Son was His solution. Jesus is an example of how God will always work to bring about good from the evil choices of others. God will eventually win over evil, often in this world but certainly in the world to come.

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