A Question for the Christians
Quote:
Originally Posted by angry nomad
Think about this: Why has God never made an amputee's limb grow back?
Why does God allow suffering? Why does God allow sickness, and death, and misery? Why isn't Gods world - not ours - perfect?
Well, God allows these things because it allows us to rely more on Him, and less on ourselves. And in many cases, great suffering can bring a person closer to God and give them a better understanding of why they're in pain. In the beginning, things were perfect, but, if you believe in the Bible, then you also believe in the fall of Adam & Eve, which led to our cursed, sinful nature. Had the decision been made to never disobey the Lord, we'd have never known suffering and sin. (We were created in His image, after all.) But because of our nature, we must prove that we're deserving of eternal life by following (and believing) in Christ, and spreading His word to the anyone who will listen.
Faith may not be able to move mountains, but it can perform miracles... like saving us from our sins.
A Question for the Christians
I would think that God does not allow suffering. We allow ourselves to suffer. Viruses attack us. We kill insects.
A Question for the Christians
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Clandestine
Why does God allow suffering? Why does God allow sickness, and death, and misery? Why isn't Gods world - not ours - perfect?
Well, God allows these things because it allows us to rely more on Him, and less on ourselves. And in many cases, great suffering can bring a person closer to God and give them a better understanding of why they're in pain.
Sounds like sort of a Divine Munchausen by Proxy --- that can't be it.
A Question for the Christians
Quote:
Originally Posted by dragonrider
Sounds like sort of a Divine Munchausen by Proxy --- that can't be it.
Again, many Christians believe that if it weren't for the fall of Adam & Eve, this world would have remained perfect... and we'd have never felt suffering, pain, or death. In my opinion, it may just be God making the best of an already bad situation. Most of the suffering on this earth is caused by the acts of man, not God. Regardless, suffering still brings many people closer to God because it teaches us compassion for our fellow man. It teaches those of us who remain faithful how to minister to others who are suffering with compassion and conviction. God wants us to become living images of Himself, but we're not going to be forced to accept His divinity. Still, every time one of us is able to comfort another by helping them place their burdens in the hands of God, even during times of GREAT suffering, then we're being more like Him... or more precisely, like His Son. God suffered when He watched the world crucify Jesus, not because He was powerless to stop it, but because He knew it had to be done... and so did Jesus. In this case, immense suffering became the greatest act of love. He wasn't just doing it for the attention...
I'm not very well-versed in the Bible, and so can't quote any scriptures to back up what I'm trying to say. I can't claim to truly understand the meaning of suffering, but I can tell you to read the story of Job... maybe you'll get a better understanding of why we suffer.
A Question for the Christians
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Clandestine
Again, many Christians believe that if it weren't for the fall of Adam & Eve, this world would have remained perfect... and we'd have never felt suffering, pain, or death. In my opinion, it may just be God making the best of an already bad situation. Most of the suffering on this earth is caused by the acts of man, not God. Regardless, suffering still brings many people closer to God because it teaches us compassion for our fellow man.
Some stories, such as Noah's ark, may have been parables. At their time, they didn't have The Weather Channel or The History Channel, explaining why the Earth was once covered with water. The lifeforms, that existed through it, passed down the information in their genes. It developed as a memory, until language was created and personified everything.
That sounds good. Some religious scholars believe that many of the Old Testament stories are parables, and, that God was created through the creation of language.
If fish could talk...
A Question for the Christians
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Clandestine
Why does God allow suffering? Why does God allow sickness, and death, and misery? Why isn't Gods world - not ours - perfect?
Well, God allows these things because it allows us to rely more on Him, and less on ourselves. And in many cases, great suffering can bring a person closer to God and give them a better understanding of why they're in pain. In the beginning, things were perfect, but, if you believe in the Bible, then you also believe in the fall of Adam & Eve, which led to our cursed, sinful nature. Had the decision been made to never disobey the Lord, we'd have never known suffering and sin. (We were created in His image, after all.) But because of our nature, we must prove that we're deserving of eternal life by following (and believing) in Christ, and spreading His word to the anyone who will listen.
Faith may not be able to move mountains, but it can perform miracles... like saving us from our sins.
very well said!!!
A Question for the Christians
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachguy in thongs
Some stories, such as Noah's ark, may have been parables. At their time, they didn't have The Weather Channel or The History Channel, explaining why the Earth was once covered with water. The lifeforms, that existed through it, passed down the information in their genes. It developed as a memory, until language was created and personified everything.
That sounds good. Some religious scholars believe that many of the Old Testament stories are parables, and, that God was created through the creation of language.
If fish could talk...
lmao
A Question for the Christians
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Clandestine
Again, many Christians believe that if it weren't for the fall of Adam & Eve, this world would have remained perfect... and we'd have never felt suffering, pain, or death. In my opinion, it may just be God making the best of an already bad situation. Most of the suffering on this earth is caused by the acts of man, not God. Regardless, suffering still brings many people closer to God because it teaches us compassion for our fellow man. It teaches those of us who remain faithful how to minister to others who are suffering with compassion and conviction. God wants us to become living images of Himself, but we're not going to be forced to accept His divinity. Still, every time one of us is able to comfort another by helping them place their burdens in the hands of God, even during times of GREAT suffering, then we're being more like Him... or more precisely, like His Son. God suffered when He watched the world crucify Jesus, not because He was powerless to stop it, but because He knew it had to be done... and so did Jesus. In this case, immense suffering became the greatest act of love. He wasn't just doing it for the attention...
I'm not very well-versed in the Bible, and so can't quote any scriptures to back up what I'm trying to say. I can't claim to truly understand the meaning of suffering, but I can tell you to read the story of Job... maybe you'll get a better understanding of why we suffer.
all i'll say is read samuel 8, 1-20 that should tell u everything u need to know. im guessing most people won't understand what it means but read it.oh and btw it's not often i see another on here with a good understanding on life and god. stay with what u believe ur on the right track
A Question for the Christians
Quote:
Originally Posted by palerider7777
all i'll say is read samuel 8, 1-20 that should tell u everything u need to know. im guessing most people won't understand what it means but read it.oh and btw it's not often i see another on here with a good understanding on life and god. stay with what u believe ur on the right track
Thanks for the kind words & recommendation, I'll be sure to read through Samuel again. To be honest, there are a lot of passages I need to reacquaint myself with. I couldn't win a game of "Name That Scripture" to save my life! ;)
A Question for the Christians
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Clandestine
Thanks for the kind words & recommendation, I'll be sure to read through Samuel again. To be honest, there are a lot of passages I need to reacquaint myself with. I couldn't win a game of "Name That Scripture" to save my life! ;)
lol me either.
