Where Is God??? Joshua of Ghana
Joshua of Ghana @beholy404 on Twitter
Psalm 10:1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
In 1755, an earthquake struck the city of Lisbon. It was All Saints Day when it happened, meaning that the churches were full. In just six minutes, 15,000 people were killed and another 15,000 severely wounded. French philosopher, Voltaire could not accept this disaster. He revolted against the problem of evil in the world. How can a person possibly believe in a good, wise and powerful God in the face of human suffering? Voltaire became a celebrated and a dedicated atheist. And he died in overt rebellion against God because of his inability to reconcile the presence of evil in a world governed by a merciful God.
Psalm 10 could be taken as a request for God to act. The Psalmist cataloged the presence of evil and several actions of the wicked that should have resulted in instant judgment and punishment from God; but there seems to be no immediate penalty. This confusion continued until he got a clarification from God.
Forgetting the problem of man’s rebellion against a just God that often prevents Him from answering our prayers, atheists would rather use the presence of pain and suffering in the world as their biggest talking point. Whenever we violate God’s laws and set aside His commandments, trouble will certainly come; because hard is the way of transgressors.
Man is a free moral agent and therefore can choose to do good or evil. God would not take away the freedom of choice from man, otherwise, as a robot, man can be excused, if he is not responsible.
When we experience these kinds of situations where we cry to God and He appears silent, it calls for self-examination to discover our sins and shortcomings instead of blaming Him for failing to act. We must understand that God knows and will definitely uphold justice either immediately or at a future time.
February 10, 2020 at 12:19 PM
“Forgetting the problem of man’s rebellion against a just God that often prevents Him from answering our prayers, atheists would rather use the presence of pain and suffering in the world as their biggest talking point. Whenever we violate God’s laws and set aside His commandments, trouble will certainly come; because hard is the way of transgressors.
Man is a free moral agent and therefore can choose to do good or evil. God would not take away the freedom of choice from man, otherwise, as a robot, man can be excused, if he is not responsible.”
So, how does this work when Paul states that no one has a choice and this god picks and chooses who it allows to accept it and damns those he doesn’t choose to eternal torture for no fault of their own (Romans 9)?
February 11, 2020 at 9:05 PM
We all have free will. Hearts get hardened when we reject God. We are all responsible for our response to God.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
February 12, 2020 at 1:35 PM
that’s not what your bible says Paul. It repeatedly says that the bible god hardens hearts. Why would you try to ignore those parts?
And nope, per Paul in Romans 9, we aren’t responsible for our response to this god at all. This god picks and chooses who can accept it and who can’t and damns those who can’t to hell.
Funny how the bible contradicts itself, isn’t it?
February 12, 2020 at 8:23 PM
Read a little closer… The hardening of heart comes after people refuse God.
So I take it you find joy in others being cast to Hell?
Thanks for participating.
February 13, 2020 at 12:10 PM
That’s not true. The first timein the bible that hardening hearts is mentioned: Exodus 4: 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: Israel is my firstborn son. 23 I said to you, “Let my son go that he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; now I will kill your firstborn son.’”
Was it that you didn’t know or that you tried to lie to me about what is in the bible?
I don’t take any joy in people being cast to hell since hell is only a sadistic fantasy of some Christians. Other Christians want to ignore references to it. I do find it pathetic that Christians like you think people deserve eternal torture for anything.
It is no surprise you tried to ignore Romans 9.