written by Adam McGahagin
A friend emailed me, after reading a previous article I had written, with a question.
She said: “I’ve always been taught and believed that God wasn’t capable of doing evil things. That the troubles we go through in life are either brought on by our own actions or by the actions of those that we chose to go through life with. For example, I don’t feel like I did anything in my marriage to deserve being cheated on and lied to constantly, but I’m dealing with depression, anger, and lots of other emotions as well as a financial burden, and a frustrating schedule change from week to week (for STBX “visitation” with my son), etc. Was this was brought on because of the person I was with, and not necessarily something I did? Forgive me if this entire thing is a bit confusing. But tonight, after reading your article, I looked up the verse that you referenced, and then read on to Job 42:11 (NIV). It says “They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him,” (the KJV text uses the word “evil” instead of trouble). Now, at this point, I should probably do more research into the trouble/evil that Job endured. But I was just a little baffled by this and wanted to discuss it. Have I been taught wrong; that God isn’t capable of doing evil things? And now I’m recalling the story of Sodom & Gomorrah, where God destroyed the city due to all of the evil within it, but in my mind, I’m thinking that it was due to those peoples actions. I don’t know. Correct me if I’m wrong on any of this. Like I said, you’ve sparked a fire inside of me that is yearning to know my God more. “
Here’s my response:
First of all, God is good. We know this because His Word says so, and God cannot lie. God is not evil, but wholly good. There is evil in the world because man is fallen. Romans 8:28 says, “and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (ESV) Apart from God, there is nothing that we can do that is good. We are sinful beings and until we have the one on one encounter with Jesus, we will continue to be such. Our actions reflect that of being sinful beings, they effect everyone around us. We have the choice to make right decisions that honor God, or wrong decisions that hurt ourselves and those around us. God, in being good, allows us to make those choices. If He forced us to be good, we’d have no reason to choose Him. And since we have that freewill, we often choose ourselves and not Him. That, in turn, hurts others. I really hope that makes sense.
I don’t really know why God allowed all that bad stuff to happen to Job. It doesn’t seem fair because Job was a righteous man in the eyes of God and all his friends. Here’s the kicker, though: Before ANYTHING could happen to Job, Satan had to go before God and ask Him if he (Satan) could attack Job. I guess God knew that Job wouldn’t back down, so He allowed Satan to attack the crap out of him. And through it all, Job stood strong in his faith! All his friends had deserted him. His own wife, in seeing all the anguish and pain he was going through, told him to “curse God and die.” But Job continued in his faith. After everything went down, God promised Job an amazing ancestry. The amazing thing about that promise was one of the first things that happened to Job was a house crumbling down and killing all his kids! So, we have God promising Job great ancestry, yet allowing Satan to kill all his kids.
I guess God allows things to happen to us because He knows that if we are TRULY in Him, nothing can shake our faith. We’ll screw up at times, we’ll question Him and wonder where the crap He is in a situation, but if we ride it out, we’ll be able to look back and see how He brought us through. I can tell you that I’ve spent many nights asking God, “Where are You? I’m so depressed, I’m so messed up, and I don’t see You. Why won’t You just take this crap out of my life?” And I can tell you that now, looking back, it’s pushed me closer to Him, and what’s more, He used the dark periods that I’ve gone through to bring hope to the lives of others struggling with the same stuff. If I hadn’t dealt with depression, I wouldn’t have a common ground other people going through it. Now I can come alongside those dealing with darkness in their lives and share the Hope that is God.
Toward the end of the book of Job, Job did spend a good amount of time questioning God. Job 30:20-21, “I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me. You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me.” To me, this confirms that God welcomes our questions, doubts and fears, but watch what happens next…
After Job finishes going off, God says to him, “Dress for action like a man” (Which was God telling Job to gird his loins, or “Put on your spiritual cup because I’m about kick you in the metaphorical nuts”). He goes on to ask Job where he was when He made the earth, among other awesome things that could only be attributed to God’s hands (chapter 38). I think the reason God went to town on Job was because He wanted him to know that He is God and He is in control, that He knows what’s going on and nothing is allowed without His say. It’s really a comforting thing to know that Satan wants to throw his crap at us, but he can’t do it unless God allows him to do so. It really says a lot about what God thinks of us and the faith that He has in us. Look at it this way, (and yes, it’s quite cliche to say this, but); If you’re not being attacked spiritually, then you don’t have Satan scared. But, if all hell is breaking loose in your life, Satan is afraid of the things you’re doing for God. For me, the most comforting thing to hold onto when experiencing spiritual attack, is knowing that God had to allow Satan to attack.
Even though we believe in God and have faith through Jesus Christ, His son, that does not warrant us exempt from dark hours and tragic situations. But God knows that we have all that we need to overcome or endure such trials. He is all we need to fend off Satan. It’s our choice whether or not we come to Him in hardships, but we do have all the tools we need. God doesn’t do evil, Satan does. But, God is the rescuer and redeemer of mankind through the life-giving blood of Jesus Christ, our connection between God and man.
Wow, I really hope all of that made sense and that I answered your question. I don’t claim to know everything, as I am just a “simple dude.” But you’re welcome to ask any questions you might have. I’ll do everything I can to answer them, and if I end up confusing you or anything, let me know.
I noticed you say that God never lies.
Playing Devil’s advocate here, I’d like for you, or someone else, to explain this to me.
With Deuteronomy 24:16 and Ezekial 18:20, we see consistency. Children will not be put to death for the actions of their fathers, and fathers won’t be put to death for the actions of the children….
Deuteronomy 24:16: “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”
Ezekial 18:20: “The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.”
But what about this verse, 2 Samuel 12:13, 14?
2 Samuel 12:13: “Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”
If God’s willing to go back on his word involving this, I’m under the impression he’d at least consider going back on everything he’s ever promised us. Perhaps he’s already scraped that salvation idea? Who knows?
Stephen, that’s a very great question and I must admit, I don’t have an answer for you. There are some great mysteries in the Bible in which major mandates are called into question. There’s another one in which it is stated that salvation can be lost. I was raised to believe the once saved always saved, if saved theology, but there’s a verse (the reference is lost in my mind) that says that believers can lose their salvation. As I said in the article I’m just a simple guy. I have no theological training or background. I’m sorry that I don’t have an answer for you. I’d say the answer is probably found in the context of these passages.
We often find a single verse or a block of verses to pick apart without looking at the full story or context, which is quite dangerous, as they lead us to believe something without having the full story. I’m not saying that’s what has happened here, though. God is big and there are somethings that don’t really make sense. That’s not a cop-out, but I’m not going to pretend that I know all about God and feed you some line of bull without knowing.
Stephen, I’m no bible scolar, but found a couple of things that may shed some light.
As you righty note – Deuteronomy 24:16 and Ezekial 18:20 talk about NOT putting children to death for the actions of their Fathers or Fathers to death for the actions of their children.
Verses you didn’t note, but also should be looked at are –
Exodus 20:5 – “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,”
Deuteronomy 5:9 – “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,”
Exodus 34:6-7 – “Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
1 Cor. 15:22 – “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.”
On the face of it someone might conclude that God is contradicting himself. He’s not. The verses that you note in Dueteronomy and Ezekiel are about formal governmental punishment. (Example – government authorities don’t kill the child of a murderer as punishment – the murderer must pay their own penalty – in the old testament punishments were death for many things by the authorities). The verses were God promises to visit the iniquities of the Fathers upon the children are consequences of sin – the outflow of a father sinning and bad choices – are more indirect as a matter of consequences upon the children. Kids who grow up without a dad who murders someone will suffer and could end up making terrible choices without a Dad who loves and provides for them being there, as many do.
Finally – David’s son was not put to death by governmental authorities. He died as part of the outflow of his dad’s bad choices by not by court decision or punishment.
I hope that may be some help. Not perfect, but maybe makes some sense.
Thankfully – God is always in line with His word – we just don’t always get the finer details. I sit long periods of time in many questions, but knowing His heart toward me always reassures me. His heart is always for us. We can trust He is good.
Joy over you!
December
Hey folks. Chris here from Abilene Christian University.
I was skimming through the answers with regards to the question of God allowing one man’s (David) sin to affect his offspring. You are right to catch what appears to be an inconsistency and to pursue an answer to the question. I think everyone is on track by saying that God is the final judge of all things and we can not fully understand that. That being said, this child that dies is the product of the adultery committed by David with Bathsheba. It is a punishment for David, not the child. This issue leads into a discussion of what happens to children who die at birth or children who are murdered in the womb (aborted). There is a passage in Psalms where David is lamenting over this child and speaks of seeing him again after David dies but that is a different topic.
Hope this helps!
Chris
I just don’t know that I believe in an all-loving, perfect God that has my best interest at heart. This same God that you all worship and believe to be infallible and entirely honest is the same God that had his son beaten and killed like a criminal in some odd attempt to prove to us that he loves us; that sentenced entire communities – men, women, children – to death; that has, through the Bible, endorsed and described the logistics of buying and selling slaves (so long as they’re not from Israel); that says in Deuteronomy 13 that all those that profess faith in another religion should be put to death; that puts on display and supports overt sexism within his church, going so far as to state that no woman should ever preach to a man (1 Timothy 2:11-13); that barbarically says all non-virgin women with the audacity to get married should be stoned; and that has even at one point allowed a bald man to summon bears upon children because they mocked him.
I just don’t understand how people can allow themselves to wade through these words in the Bible and feel alright, or even confident in the workings of a God that supposedly carried out these actions and then had those words written. But people can find a way to justify nearly anything, so I’m constantly told while making these arguments that I’m reading the Bible out of context, or that the 2,000-plus year old messages meant something entirely different back then (though no one has explained to me on an in-depth level how I’m doing this), which brings me to another point: How can someone make the case for the Bible being a perfect, divinely authored piece of literature when the words within it don’t stand the test of time?
Because, if I’m understanding this correctly, I’m being asked by everyone within the Christian community to believe in a God blessed with unlimited intelligence and time, who has always existed and who put forth the effort to intricately create and form our infinitely complex solar system and perhaps even more complex Earth, and then at the same time believe he played a part in crafting an antiquated book full of laws, rules, and intended societal norms that no Christian or Jew would dare follow today in 2011.
What I’m getting at: I believe the Bible is a fictional book that contains 2,000 year old values and man-made laws. I believe that as the world became more socialized, a great number of these laws and values were scraped and then updated with more civilized and modern lines of thought.
But, because I respect my good friend Nate Smith, I’ll always be more than willing to listen to any rebuttals that he, or any of his friends may have for me. So, I’ll listen intently to anything any of you have to say, and I’ll weigh it against what I know and what I believe. If there’s anybody out there in this world that could possibly convince me to turn my back on what I’ve just said and once again turn my thoughts toward the religious leanings of Christianity, I believe it’s Nate and the people he surrounds himself with. Religious or not, I respect what’s being done at Enoch and I believe that your efforts here are helping to improve this world.
But, before I go, here’s another set of verses I’ve found in which I believe God may have lied:
In Jeremiah 34:4-5, it says: “Yet hear the promise of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword; you will die peacefully. As people made a funeral fire in honor of your fathers, the former kings who preceded you, so they will make a fire in your honor and lament, “Alas, O master!” I myself make this promise, declares the LORD.”
But in Jeremiah 52:10-11, it says: “There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; he also killed all the officials of Judah. 11 Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon, where he put him in prison till the day of his death.”
The above comments I made are stand alone. It’s a very small sample of where my mind is at the present moment.
Adam, December, I don’t have much time to write more at the present moment, but I’ll address your posts later tonight or tomorrow. I promise.
To Adam: I really respect that you, the author of the article, responded by telling me you didn’t have all the answers. This furthers your credibility in my eyes.
To December: You’ve brought up some interesting points and I’ll have to look into these a bit more. I appreciate the detail you put forth into answering and helping me with my question.
To Chris: Though I find your explanation to be intriguing and entirely possible, it still seems to me that God is putting a child to death for the faults of his father. Perhaps I need further explanation and conversation.
I really do appreciate the courtesy I’ve been shown thus far, and it’s because of this that discussions like these remain worthwhile to me.
Stephen, add me on Facebook. I’m the only Adam McGahagin on there. I’d love to talk to you.
Guys, I love the debate. But let me ask this: You have all these issues with God…he’s a jerk, he’s mean, unjust, etc. But you’re thinking and processing all this with a brain. Who made that? You’re experiencing emotions and forming opinions based on morality. How did these abilities originate? Why (not how), WHY do you know what is right and what is wrong? i argue you’re “judging” the existence of God with a tiny aspect of the very proof that he exits!
First off, you bail on God, then you’re on the Darwin team. How were we formed? How did plants start producing oxygen through photosynthesis? Why does a cut heal on our flesh? Where did the sun come from? How do those silly penguins know how to do those crazy mating rituals. Why does a woodpecker’s tongue retract and curl up behind his brain? Are you REALLY going to overlook all this? Google “snowflake photography.”
The one thing that I hold on to is the verse that says, His ways are not our ways. Some Bibles say His thoughts are not our thoughts. This is a short answer to your concerns. The larger answer is to first do what the Bible says: Feed the poor, clothe the naked, care for prisoners and orphans. Start doing that for real. Sacrifice your pride, money and time. No one does this. They say they do, but very few actually do… I’ve done all these accept for orphans, (not yet).
Maybe it’s impossible to really do those things without the Holy Spirit and faith…I don’t know. But Christianity is a battle. It’s a war. And when you start “questioning God,” what are you really doing? You’re saying “God, I know better than you, I’m more just than you…etc.” Now, who first introduced those kinds of thoughts to man? Satan, in the form of a serpent, when he instructed Eve to question God’s command. Sure, God’s command didn’t make any sense. To us, (man)…it doesn’t make any sense.
I just think it’s silly to look around and see all the Creation before us, and then start bagging on God, in a body we didn’t create, with a brain that thinks, and lungs that breath. With a heart that pumps blood. A soul that feels love and pain. You have all this, and then WITH THAT, want to debate God’s actions in accordance with the Bible?
Get into ministry. Give up your life for another in the name of Christ and the transformation he’s done through you by the Holy Spirit! You think this stuff sounds silly or “beside the point?” I’m telling you, this is what convinced me….and continues to convince me. Sure I still wonder how God allowed a 3rd of his angels to fall. How he allowed Satan to become jealous and commit the first sin of vanity. But I soon realize that I can’t answer these things….I can never answer these things. But I can do the things the Bible tells us to do. I can reject God based on my own issues with authority and belief that I know better than God….Or I can get on my knees, and repent for the sin of questioning God’s ways, and begin to live in obedience. Sound lame? That’s the sin of the Heart. The bible says that our flesh is at war with God.
Best example of this choice being put into action; The two men on the cross next to Jesus. The one says “Save us and I’ll believe.” That’s not a ridiculous request. But who’s ordering God by this request? Man.
I chose to begin to go on a journey by faith with the one created the Heavens and the Earth. Just me and him, trusting that over time, “issues” that I have on the side, human formed questions may or may not be answered. Honestly, it’s MORE than enough for me… and when you take an ACTIVE role in serving God….I’m talking about Ministry, studying the Bible, encouraging others in their faith, repenting, praying…there’s SOOOOO much to do, that my mind is rarely consumed by the questions raised in this forum. They’re fair questions, but as God pointed out to Job, you have no right to question God. You can, but if in doing so, you reject God, then who wins? You?
If you’ve taken the time to read all this, then you know why i’ll be tired tomorrow. I thank you and pray that my honesty, while it might have offended you, was not meant to offend you personally. Brothers and Sisters, put your faith and belief in Christ. Lay your judgement at his feet. Am I naive? Google snowflake photography:)
Carter,
I thank you for your reply, but this issue is not nearly as cut and dry for me as it appears to be for you. You see answers in things I don’t. You see a Christian God etched into the intricacies and complexities of nature and the things that make it up – biology, physics, etc.; but I see questions and uncertainty. Sure, when looking at my immediate surroundings, I’ll sometimes think that perhaps a supreme deity did play a role, but I’m not certain as to what extent. I know I’m not certain enough to confidently tell myself and others that the thousands of Gods in other world religions are unequivocally and undoubtedly false, but become upset or frustrated when someone dares to deny the existence of my own. I don’t see enough evidence in nature to tell others that with exception to those who share my beliefs, the entire population of the world will spend an eternity in a Hell of suffering, and then also say that my religion is the most “tolerant” and “loving.” I can’t emphatically claim that the religious thoughts and values lending to my belief system are infallible, perfect and eternally painful for those who do not adhere to it. I’m also unable to confidently laugh at the Hindu beliefs that deify humans and the Greek claims of gods sleeping with women, but at the same time have no problem believing my God miraculously impregnated a virgin, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life, and then ascended into the sky. I doubt my ability to ever become that certain.
For me, the impressive mechanics of our world prove nothing outside of the fact that we exist. Nearly every line of spiritual and non-spiritual thought provides an origin story or theory, and the Christian theory seems no more realistic to me than any of the others that the world regularly juggles about. So, in determining whether or not I believe in the Christian God, the mechanics are one of the easiest points for me to work past. But this is apparently not the case for you. They, for some reason or another, seem to prove to you that the Christian God exists in the exact way you’re told each time you read the Bible or go to church.
In essence, I feel I’m being told here that the Bible is correct because the Bible says it’s correct. But the Bible also says that the moon is a source of light in Genesis 1:16; that fetuses can understand speech in Luke 1:44; that some breeds of fowl travel on all fours in Leviticus 11:20-21; and it says on countless occasions that the Earth has edges, corners, and ends. In Ecclesiastes 1:5, it essentially states that the Sun rotates around the Earth.
We now know through science that none of what you’ll read in those verses above is even remotely accurate. The light emitted from the moon is not coming from itself, but rather from the Sun; fetuses cannot understand speech; there are no breeds of fowl that travel on all fours; and, lastly, the Earth is not flat, nor is it the center of the universe.
Turn your Bible to the very first chapter of Genesis and explain to me how God created light on the first day, but not light-producing objects (stars, the Sun) until the fourth day? And what about plants on the third day? Wouldn’t they need solar light to drive their photosynthetic processes? Where’s the science in that?
It’s because of these words that I’m able to look at nature and still come to the possible conclusion that the Christian God doesn’t exist as you think you know him. I believe that there’s a reasonable doubt, and I believe that there should be a larger degree of uncertainty within the religion. I have far too many questions with Christianity to follow it for the sake of following it (I’m not at all, in any way, saying you do this). I need the concrete evidence that just isn’t there.
Please ask yourselves this for me: Is it at all possible that the Bible is a fictional book that consists of 2,000 year old values and thoughts?
Adam, I’m one of the few Americans who doesn’t have facebook. I’ve just never liked it, though I do think it’ll be more useful after I’ve graduated college.
If you’d like to email, my address is jaynovahawk07@gmail.com.
Stephen, You’re actually proving what I’m learning each week in seminary class. It explained that “General Revelations” such as Nature or History of the Jews being persecuted, (but never wiped out), are only effective on certain individuals, and it takes the action of “Special Revelation” to affect most people in knowing and believing in God. However, “Special Revelation” includes the writings and eye witness accounts in the Bible.
But you don’t believe in the Bible. So we can’t go that way…What about Ministry. I kept reading your last response hoping you’d cover that topic. Why are 95% of homeless shelters run by Christians and Christ centered foundations? Why in the 14th century, do we read that Christians were moving into communities that were stricken with the Black Plague, when the rest of the towns were fleeing to save their lives? Are that many people that stupid or naive for hundreds of years and continuous generations?
You sound like a pretty smart guy. I’d even go so far as to say you are proud of your intellect…right? I have friends that sound very similar to you. They do not believe in God, they have read the Bible and believe it is false. They hate the fact that people believe in something they have determined with their superior minds to be untrue.
But I say the same to them that I say to you. Go to the streets. Serve the poor, donate your time at an aids hospital. For you to truly know that God is not real, I urge you to go where me and Nate feel and see him the strongest; the mission field. If you’re not daring enough to do that, research history on the Black Plague. I was at the homeless shelter today. Old and Young men, off the streets, their lives thrown away to drugs…(BTW, to believe in God, you are also believing in Satan. Do you deny the evil hearts and destructive actions of man?)…Some of these guys have aids, cancer and hepatitis.
Who cares for these people? Why do they care? No one pays me to go there…And I’ve got 2 going on 3 degrees…I’m guessing 1 or 2 more than you. So technically I’m not an idiot right? What in the world would make me care for these strangers? I believe it is proof of a transformation through Christ. The giving up of your life to serve him.
So, I’m not trying to “trick” you into anything, like you’ll go to a homeless mission and volunteer once a week and immediately become a Christian…Rather, I’d like to read your rejection to the people (most of whom I bet are Christians) serving the poor, and also your rejection to the poor’s belief in God. I would like to understand how an educated person like yourself would make MORE sense of the world, or make it happier, by denying Christ who I believe is important in the lives of the poor, addicted, imprisoned, oppressed and homeless.
Now, you’ll say as many do, those type of people “need” God only because they are screw-ups. That rational people who don’t do drugs and have a job don’t need God. Very true actually, the Bible as you know says that about the rich vs the poor. But before you write off God, I’d do some fact checking like in college. but no more books. I think you should go SEE what I believe…and more so, WHY I believe.
As always, don’t take anything I’ve said personal, or an attack on your character. Your respectfulness has made this debate quite enjoyable. If you are ever in SF, I’ll take you to the shelters and recovery clinics I’m in contact with. Also, I hope you stay connected to this site….as i filmed a video in Angola State Penitentiary, and I asked some of the inmates to give their reason for believing in God to guys just like YOU!!! So that will be awesome to have you watch that! Anyway, take care. Check back with me if you ever go through with the challenge i’ve suggested above!
– carter
I don’t have time to make a full reply now, but I would be more than willing to visit any shelter or street that you and Nate would feel like working at some point in the future when I visit or move to California.
You’ll get my full reply a little later. And I’ll watch the prison videos, too.
Oh that will be awesome! You can force Nate to connect with the Long Beach Mission, cause since he moved out of Skid Row, he’s been focusing only on work!
Revelation 21:23
“The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. ”
Job 38:4-6, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements? Surely you know!”
Does that , according to the human mind, seem possible? If you arnt willing to except the impossible then the whole Bible wont make sense. but if you go on believing that God doesn’t exist that itself makes no sense.
A cell would need oxygen to grow but at the same time oxygen destroys things. (rust) With no oxygen that makes up the ozone layer the suns radiation would breakdown organic compounds just as fast as the were produced. IN addition to that, if there was significantly more than 21% oxygen concentration in the earths atmosphere and less than 78% nitrogen , the earths conditions would be a never ending rage of fire. If the oxygen in earths atmosphere were less than 17.5%, life would not be possible. The tilt of the earth is perfectly set to 23.5 degrees, if the axis were off by just half a percent in either direction the surface temperature would be to high to support life….etc…etc…etc..So my answer for your question is how could light without an object producing light not be possible when everything i mentioned had to happen by God. 2nd law of thermo dynamics says that everything is running down which confirms the curse on the earth once eve and adam sinned. How can all these things happen perfectly while the 2nd law is in effect? This itself without a designer is not possible.
Tolerance: john 8:7 “So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
From a hell sense, God does not tolerate sin . but he also gives people what they desire. Evil is a lack of anything that is good, so when people go to hell they are being given exactly what they desired, a lack of good. Hell is a place where nothing good exist, so for those who chose not to repent of sin and wanted nothing to do with which good comes from (God)….. hell is teh right place for them. Evil can be physical (a severed leg) and it can be a moral evil ( doing something which lacks good).
But to you, where should tolerance stop? lying, stealing, rape, eye for and eye, murder??
How can you say God is intolerant while your own outlook on reality its self is narrow-minded . Your view(as well as mine) does not tolerate other views, because if it did we would absorb and agree with everything people say.
Humans only believe God as an intolerant meany because we cannot live up to any of his laws, this is why we complain.
1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ”
If we would understand this verse and stop being prideful then our view on God and hell would humble ourselves…Hes not leaving you to judgment without an alternative, that alternative is His grace.
Geological;
Revelation 7:1, “After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree”
I assume that this is what makes you believe the earth is flat, this doesnt mean the world is flat . Four corners describe the coverage of the earth, secularist use that same term. Show me which verse you mean..
job 26:10, “He drew a circular horizon on the face of the waters”
isaiah 40:22, “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,”
Ecclesiastes 1:6-7 ,”The wind goes toward the south,And turns around to the north;” (amazing for its time.)
Stephen: I am late. I respect your thirst for understanding. I’m not sure that any man will be able to provide what you seek- justification for believing in God. I don’t believe that any Christian is or should ask you to accept anything about God or Christ. The same that no Muslim should ask you to believe anything about Allah or Muhammed. To