Topic: God and evil

One of my characters is struggling to find a logical reason why God would allow evil in the world (e.g., WWII, for example, with 60M people dead). Below is a series of questions the teen is asking himself.

Can murderers ever be forgiven their sins? Can mass murderers? Should their spirits be destroyed? Why does God not prevent great evil in the first place? Is it because the outcome of evil deeds prevents even greater suffering? When God steps into human affairs through prophets like Moses and Abraham, is He doing so to save mankind from itself? Is it simply an extension of God’s original covenant with Noah never to destroy humans?

How does a person of faith respond to the question: Why does God allow evil in the world?

Thanks.
Dirk

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Re: God and evil

Hi Dirk,

Due to how important these questions are I want to take some time to go over them, so I hope you have time to wait for the answers.

Karen

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Re: God and evil

No rush. Thanks.

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Re: God and evil

Eph. 6 11, and following;  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.…

The simple answer is free will.  God has always allowed man to practice free will since Adam.  Can murderers be forgiven.  Sin is sin to God, He cannot look on it in any form.  That is why Jesus came an died for our sins, a sacrifice acceptable for all sin.  If one sin can be covered by Jesus sacrifice then all sins are covered.  Salvation does not take the gravity of the sin into account, but only the purity of the sacrifice.  True repentance is the key to coming under the sacrifice of Jesus.  Repentance means to do an about face and walk away from sin, and toward Jesus.  God recognizes all who truly repent and follow Christ.  Paul the apostle could have been classified as a serial killer before his transformation.  If God removed all evil from the world He would be like a child playing with toys.  He is an all powerful benevolent Father who loves His children and has provided a way past the sin that those children have chosen.  We are all evil, absent the Holy Spirit, and are capable of heinous crimes.  Only by His Blood are we healed and welcomed back into the family of Christ.  God bless you for writing something that brings up such questions.  Remember if there was no war to be fought, why would we need His armor.  Mike

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Re: God and evil

Thank you, Mike.

What happens to those who don't turn to/believe in Christ? The majority of the world doesn't believe in Him, including an increasing number of atheists. It seems like the more right-wing the Christian, the more convinced they are that the rest of humanity is going to Hell. Personally, I don't believe in a God that would allow that. That's reflected in my character's struggle. He's a fundamentalist Christian who comes to question all of his beliefs.

And what about those who suffer at the hands of evil. Plenty of children, even babies, suffer greatly in this world (e.g., from diseases and starvation). Technically, they may be sinners by virtue of the simple fact that they are human, but why are they made to suffer in this life?

Thanks
Dirk

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Re: God and evil

The Lord in His wisdom didn't identify a specific moment. God knows when each soul is accountable. God knows when real rejection has taken place; when the love of sin exists in the heart. When enmity with God is conscious and willful. God alone knows when that occurs.  excerpt from a piece by John MacArthur.
Dirk, I agree with this except completely. Only when a person becomes capable of understanding that a rejection of God and his principles is going to lead to permanent separation from God, does God judge them.  Before that time they are as little children with no blame for their sin.  I worship a relationship God, I walk with Him every day and practice His presence in everything I do.  If you accept the fact of good and evil then why blame God for evils deeds.  All sin has consequence, when a third world dictator, withholds, food and medicine from children, do you blame God, or place the blame appropriately at the feet of that dictator who chose evil over good.  I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God.  The Bible says, there is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved.  I fear by the term "right wing Christian" that you are predisposed to doubt anything that I believe or say.  There is no Utopia that is the dream of liberal politicians.  They had 40 years to bring it about, where is it?  Christ is the only answer.  Blame Him for all the trouble in the world if you will, but you can carefully trace each evil deed to an evil person rolling in his favorite sin and who cares how many it hurts.  I would like to know does your character remain in Christianity or lose his faith completely?  If there is no consequence for rejecting God and reward for accepting Him, then why be moral at all.  We should just rape and pillage like there is no tomorrow.  God would that every man would come to Him and be saved, unfortunately that will not happen.  I am very right wing, I am very fundamentalist Christian, I will never reject Christ of question His methods.  Have a nice day.  Mike

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Re: God and evil

Thanks, Mike. This is terrific. You're exactly who I wanted to hear from. I've had enough spiritual experiences in my life to believe in a hereafter, although we probably differ on some of the details. Makes for more interesting discussions that way. :-)

In answer to your question about the character, there are actually two main characters in my book, both of whom hear a voice in their heads claiming to be God, starting from childhood on. One MC grows up on a fundamentalist world, but eventually grows to doubt the reality of this God he has been talking to most of his life. The other is an atheist who increasingly finds reason to believe the voice may really be the Christian God. It's a three-book story that will span about ten years. The last book will reveal whether or not the voice is that of God, and how the boys come to terms with the answer. Either way, the fate of the galaxy rests on their shoulders.

Karen (or anyone), please don't hesitate to weigh in.

Thanks again.
Dirk

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