Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering?

I have a good friend that I'd like you to meet. His name is Andrew. Andrew is 30 years old and was born three months prematurely, lost oxygen to his brain, and as a result has cerebral palsy. Andrew is confined to a wheelchair. He has no use of his legs, minimal use of his right arm, and limited use of his left arm. When he wakes up in the morning he lies in bed until his brothers come and help him get ready for the day. He can't drive, bathe, or go to the bathroom without help and so far has no wife or girlfriend with whom to share his love. Pity party? Nope, just the facts. I didn't meet Andrew because he was looking for a handout or for help. I met him as he preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to 150 homeless folks at a local shelter, a shelter where Andrew works most days. Despite the fact that his body has many limits, Andrew has two things that work really well: his brain and his heart. Oh yeah, and his mouth. Man, can Andrew preach!

So, if God is so good and loving then why would he have allowed this man to suffer as he has? If God is so good and loving then why would he have allowed you to suffer like you have? Why would he allow wars, murders, accidents, and natural tragedies to go apparently unchecked? Maybe you don't even believe in God because of this conflict in your mind or if you do believe in God you either don't trust him or you're angry with him. I want to share some thoughts that may help you to to see the magnitude of who God is and how he works in your life.

I'd like to give you a Reader's Digest (or Cliff Notes) version of the story of Joseph in the Old Testament book of Genesis. Joseph was the youngest of Jacob's twelve son's but the Bible says his father loved him more than the rest. So how did the the other eleven handle not being the favored sons? Well they threw Joseph into an empty well then sold him to traveling merchants who, in turn sold him into slavery in Egypt. The brothers took his robe, covered it in goat's blood, and brought it back to their father, telling him that Joseph was killed by a ferocious animal. In Egypt, Joseph was a slave to the captain of Pharaoh's guard, a man named Potiphar. Potiphar has a wife who thought Joseph was quite handsome so she tried to get him into bed but Joseph on more than one occasion told her to hit the road. The last time she was so mad that she ran out and accused him of trying to molest her so poor Joseph spends the next two years in jail. While Joseph is in jail, Pharaoh had a dream and he heard that this kid named Joseph could interpret dreams. Joseph interprets his dream and as a reward gets to be Pharaoh's second hand man. Things are looking up! OK, David get to the point! Here is the point. There is a wicked famine in all of the land but Egypt has stored up plenty of grain to last through the drought. Joseph ends up saving his family and all of Israel because he was in this position of power. He is reunited with his nasty brothers and his broken hearted father and forgives his brothers saying,

"Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children."

God is sovereign (he is in control and can do what he pleases), he is omniscient (he knows all things), and he is omnipotent (he can do all things within his nature ~ I mean he can't lie or sin or make a square circle). I shared with a friend a couple days ago that this poses a problem for some. If God is all loving and all knowing but is powerless to stop evil then he is impotent and weak and not a God at all. If he is able to stop it but doesn't then is he loving? That is where I want to wrap this up. God is able to see the beginning from the end. He can see how every single circumstance and every single life fit together. His view of the tapestry of life is beyond our imagination. He knew that there was going to be a famine and that Joseph's crazy journey to Egypt would save the nation Israel. The other issue with evil is this. Every single attribute of man (and woman) that we consider "good" can't happen in the vacuum of a perfect world. We can reveal courage only when there is the possibility of danger or death. We reveal compassion only when there are circumstances of suffering or pain. We reveal grace and forgiveness only when we have been hurt or wronged. We reveal faith when we are in the midst of trials and we can't see a way out. What Satan purposes for evil God can use for good.

You are probably in one of these three groups: 1. You don't believe in God at all 2. You believe but are struggling with the whys of your circumstances 3. You believe and even though you are struggling, you are walking in faith.

I know both from my own life and from the clear teaching of Scripture that God uses our circumstances to draw us nearer to him, to prune us (make us more mature in our walk with him), and to accomplish his will. I can't fully understand how we can have free will yet God can still work in our lives but maybe the "free" isn't complete. Like, Andrew isn't free to walk and Joseph wasn't free to leave Egypt. But here is the lesson: If your circumstances are difficult. If you are lost, scared, hungry, sick, financially broken, lonely, guilty then understand this: If you are not walking with God then he is calling you home. Maybe you have denied him for your whole life. Maybe for some his call may be really loud right now. Is he mean? No, he knows our pride and our stubborn hearts and he knows what we need. He knows our best lives are lived with him and not outside of a relationship with him. If you are walking with him but are discouraged or feeling hopeless, understand that there is ALWAYS hope in him. You may be in the dark but it's not dark to God so stay close and he'll lead you out. Lastly, the Word says that God chastens (disciplines) those he loves, so if you are a believer and are living in sin then maybe he is pruning off some dead stuff from your life. It might not feel good but it will make you better.

Only God completely knows the reason for your circumstances but there is a reason. Spend some time today asking God to help you believe, to help you have faith, to help you persevere, to help you grow. If you have a prayer need or just want to share your struggle please drop us a note and we will do what we can. Confidentially if you prefer. If you want to hear Andrew's testimony go to the media/podcast section of The I-61 Project and you can catch up with Andrew on his blog "Speaking for Him".

Peace and Love,

David

Our Earthly Happiness is not the Goal of God

March 31, 1976 ~ It was my twelfth birthday and I had eight of my best friends over for the celebration of my last year as a preteen. I received eight gifts that day but I only remember one, the iconic poster of Farrah Fawcett from my friend Todd. I think Farrah was my first crush and it lasted for about five years. She was beautiful, wealthy, and everyone in the western world knew her name. She must have been so happy!

Fast forward to November 1982. Michael Jackson releases his sixth studio album "Thriller" and the music video soon followed. It became the greatest selling album of all time, about 65 million copies. For you younger folks an album is a large vinyl (plastic) thing that spun around on a machine about the size of a toaster oven and played scratchy versions of the latest hits. Michael was bigger than life and we have seen that life played out in tabloids ever since. He had talent, looks (for a while), boat loads of money, and his own amusement park. He must have been so happy!

Two days ago both Farrah and Michael died and it seemed like the rest of the world's news came to a halt. The images of the "then" and the "now" were SO telling. The young, vibrant, attractive, smiling faces of the "then" were contrasted to the aged, tired, worn, and ill images of the "now". Not so much happiness now. Sunsets fade and so do we. Like grass, they were here then they were gone and so is my poster of Farrah.

I was talking to Ivor this week and reflecting on my last post about faith and the circumstances of our lives. I was sharing a comment that came from one of our readers. In a nut shell he saw my struggle with cancelled flights and lousy airline customer service as just one of a million other people's struggles on the same day and that God probably wasn't intimately involved in it per se. He didn't necessarily think that God was using the circumstances to test my faith or that my prayers were integral to the outcome. He said it like this: "There were lots of people in airports saying foxhole prayers trying to get back on schedule and minimize chaos in their lives. I just don't know if God is rewarding seats based on faith." He also shared that he didn't see God as being hyper-involved in peoples lives.

So what in the world does this have to do with Farrah and Michael? I think I can bring this around so hold on tight. Two main intertwined thoughts: Is God involved and what is his purpose? More specifically, if he is involved, what is his purpose in allowing and/or participating in our circumstances? Is his purpose to maximize our happiness? Does he reward faith and if so how? I want to go to the Word for the answers.

Moses was leading the Israelites through the desert and God was leading them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When they came to the Red Sea which was like the epitome of disrupted travel plans, God divided the sea so they could pass on dry land. Was God's purpose the "happiness" of the Israelites? Or was it to get them to the place he wanted them to be and to show them his glory. Was he involved in their lives and their circumstances? For sure!

The Apostle Paul shared his travel difficulties in 2 Corinthians. " . . . been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked." Does this sound like a Christian rewarded for his faith? Sounds more like he needs a refund from his travel agent.

Clearly God wasn't ultimately interested in Paul's earthly happiness. God promised Paul an eternity of perfect happiness and joy but NOT in this world. God sees the lives of every human being and sees how all our lives and all our circumstances are weaved together and he is involved in all of it, not as a divine puppeteer pulling all the strings but also not as a passive observer either. God wants to see all come to repentance and saving faith. Sometimes however he does reward faith (e.g. David dropping Goliath with a small stone or the healing of the centurion's servant) but often he has plans in our circumstance that may have more to do with God's work in someone else's life than our own. It's not all about us. We may never see the connection or God's purpose but for sure He has one. The Bible says that a sparrow doesn't fall from the sky without his knowing and all the hairs of our heads our numbered. That's a God who is involved in even the smallest details.

But friend, happiness in this life is always temporary and fleeting. Farrah's beauty faded, her marriages dissolved, and her health waned. Michael's esteem fell, his money disappeared, and his health also waned. Our earthly pursuit of happiness is usually a road away from God. It is most often in our weakness and our suffering that we are humbled and seek God. But God in his love has given us glimpses of heaven (a baby's smile, a sunset, a clear starry night sky, a piece of cherry cheesecake, or a lover's kiss) but in this world they will all fade.

Conclusion: God isn't interested in our earthly "happiness" although he does bless us with happiness and joy at times. He is interested in a restored relationship with us. Sadly, it's often happiness and success that are the greatest obstacles to our faith in God. Be assured that God is involved and aware of all of it. He directs more like a conductor leading an orchestra or a weaver creating a tapestry than a puppeteer controlling a puppet.

Sorry if this was a bit disjointed today but I hope that there was something in there you could grab a hold of!

Peace to you,

David

Vice - Does it Have You in its Grip

When I was a kid I used to love using my dad's tools. I loved to build things. I had very grandiose plans, like the time I was building a functional, talking robot out of a tape recorder and a refrigerator box or the super computer with real, flashing lights or the hovercraft I tried to construct from an old vacuum cleaner. I probably needed serious counseling but that's the topic of another post.

Anyway, there were two tools that I found particularly manly because they seemingly gave me superhuman strength; the bench vice and the vice grips. I could squeeze a piece of wood between the metal jaws and nothing known to man could pull it out. A scrawny ten year old kid had the strength of superman. Both tools contain the same main word "vice". I'd like for a second to share a few meanings of the word "vice".

1) Noun - Various devices, usually having two jaws that may be brought together or separated by means of a screw, used to hold an object firmly in its grip.

2) Verb - to hold, press, or squeeze

3) Noun - an immoral or evil practice or habit

I don't know which meaning came to the English language first but I find it interesting that someone chose to give those practices and habits that are evil or destructive, the same name as the devices that hold, squeeze, press and grab onto things. But, we know from experience that whoever did this knew what they were talking about!

Most of us (even those of you who don't yet believe in God as the moral law giver) would agree that there are things which are clearly evil or wrong: murder, rape, stealing, torture (OK, at least people can agree on three of the four). But some things are MUCH less clear both in society and in the scriptures. I was asked by someone to address these things and I think it was a very good idea.

I want to address two topics because I have been asked about them in particular: gambling and drinking (alcohol that is).

I could write a book on this but I will try to give the Readers Digest version here. I'd like to share two things from scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23, "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. And from Proverbs 21:2, "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart."

There aren't any particular verses condemning gambling but I think Paul would put it in the category of "not everything is beneficial". God has made each of us differently and each of us has different strengths and weaknesses. Some of us could buy a lottery ticket once a year and go on our merry way. Others may be caught in gambling like a piece of soft wood trapped between the jaws of a table vice. I don't think that the act of gambling is, in and of itself, wrong but there are two things that might make it wrong. Motive. God tests the heart and if the motive is to gain wealth without work or without earning it fairly, then the motive is impure. Proverbs 13:11 says "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; but he that gathers by labor shall increase." The second issue is how it affects others. Is it hurting someone else? Your wife, your kids, your friends? Look, if you're spending your paycheck at the casino and borrowing money from your home equity line of credit to pay the bills then you're hurting yourself and your family. I think Paul would go so far to ask, "Is there any real, honest reason to gamble?" Answer, "Probably not." I think when we're honest with ourselves and with God, the Holy Spirit uses our conscience to let us know what honors God and what harms us and others. Look if you've played the slots, played bingo, or spun the wheel at your CHURCH festival I don't think you need to feel bad or run to confession but examine your heart because God does. Maybe though, the $5 could have bought someone a meal they couldn't afford. Hmmm. Yeah, maybe. (I guess that goes for the latte I have next to me as well. My bad.)

OK, on to alcohol. I won't get long winded here but there are many scriptures that point out the potential destructive nature of "too much wine" but wine isn't itself evil. Jesus turned water into wine and used wine as the symbol of his blood but it's fairly obvious that for some, drinking is a huge stumbling block. I'll ask the same questions I did with gambling, "What is your motive and how is it affecting you and those around you?" Are you held in its jaws and can't get loose? Look, all things considered, if you never drink you'll never have to worry but If you have a glass of Merlot with your T-bone and can go a week or a month without another then I think it is not a sin or a vice. I know many people will disagree with me but the Jews condemned the Gentiles for eating this, drinking that, and touching this and that. It's not the stuff that is the problem. It's our heart. Examine your heart. Listen to those around you. If your spouse or your friends have shared concern over a particular vice then I would recommend you LISTEN. Likely they see something that might be hurting you.

Lastly,, I want to say that there are many Christians who use the "Law" as a hammer and have become self-righteous. They have done what the Pharisees (religious leaders at the time of Jesus) did. They point out other's faults and fail to see their own. Jesus reprimanded them with this statement, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye." Let's first go to the mirror and look at our own planks and ask God to help us pluck them from our own eyes first. And, if you care about someone who may be held in the jaws of sin or the vice grip of addiction, love them first, pray for them second, and get them help from someone who knows the ultimate healer of the heart, Jesus Christ.

Remember this, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He showed us grace, we should do the same.

In Christ,

David

Why God, Why?

This week was the first anniversary of the death of Steven Curtis Chapman's five year old adopted daughter, Maria Sue. For those of you who don't know of Steven or of his family's story, it goes like this. Steven Curtis Chapman is a very successful Christian music artist who had six children (three biologic children and three adopted children from China). On May 21st, 2008 his five year old daughter, Maria Sue, was killed in his driveway when his older son backed over her with the family's SUV. It doesn't get a whole lot worse than that.

On Thursday night I had a beer with a friend who had some very hard but very valid questions about the sovereignty of God and the problem of God and evil. And, yes I had one very dark and malty beer. We can talk about the biblical view of alcohol consumption at another time so please don't let this be a stumbling block for you. It was a very refreshing beer but even more refreshing conversation from a man who is courageous enough and gracious enough to say what was on his mind even if it risked confrontation. Although he had a couple major concerns, God has laid it on my heart to address this one issue today: What is God's role in the evil that occurs in the world? HUGE question and one that has been the topic of four hundred page theses. This is not an easy topic to address in a five minute blog post so I want to do this over two weeks.

My friend and his wife have dealt with significant hardship surrounding the health of two young daughters. His concern I think was two fold. First, was the issue of how Christian friends often respond with platitudes or Christian-ese tag lines (though, likely well intentioned). They would say things like "God has a plan" or "God is testing you" or "God is using your daughters for a purpose". The second concern was, did God allow or cause the pain that had and still continues to occur? Or, is he outside of it completely. I want to touch on both of these very real and very important concerns.

I (we) have to start with this: God is who God is. I can't make a God after my own liking. So, I have to seek to know what God is like and not try to contrive a God I can wrap my mind around or a God that conforms to my preferences. God revealed his name to the people of Israel and that name was "Yahweh" which is translated "I am". He is who he is. The only way I can begin to grasp this is to humbly come to him and ask him. Then to try to set aside my own preconceived notions either of my own making or those that were forced upon me. So, here is what I know:

The Bible is very clear that God (Jesus) knows all things and he knows future things. Psalm 139 gives us a picture of this: "O, Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from far afar. . . Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely." Jesus told Peter that he'd deny him three times (i.e. he already knew). Jesus healed the blind, the lame, the deaf, and raised the dead. He commanded the stormy seas to be calm. God allowed Satan to cause pain in the life of Job. God is involved and can and does interceded in the world and with the people he created. God didn't wind up creation then sit back and watch it unfold without intervention or concern. But how can we reconcile a God who is "love" with the occurrence and even the allowance of evil? If God knows everything and can't help or intercede then he is impotent and weak. (i.e. God sees suffering and says to himself "Dang, that is horrible! I sure wish I could do something about that.") That is not the God of the Bible and I would argue, not a God at all. If God is all powerful but refuses to intercede to prevent suffering, some would argue that he is evil or that he doesn't exist at all.

But maybe the answer is this: God does know, God does intercede, and God does allow things (even things we perceive as bad) because his perspective is so immeasurably more grand than ours and he knows from the perspective of being all knowing and from the perspective of eternity what is ultimately "good". I want to give a picture of what I mean and I'd like you to really try to mull over this until our next time together. Picture this: You are at a party and the host is cooking dinner. Your two year old daughter climbs up on a stool and reaches toward a large pot of boiling water. You sprint across the room, yelling "NO!" from the top of your lungs, you dive through the air and knock your daughter from the stool. As you both lay on the ground, your daughter is wailing and has a look of horror in her eyes. Her knee is scraped from the fall. In her limited mind, you are evil, mean, scary, and have caused her undeserved pain. What she fails to see is that you have saved her life or have averted a much worse scenario. The difference between your mental capacity and your daughters is not even close to the difference between our mental capacities and God's. Maybe, just maybe, God can see what we can't and we have to trust that somehow.. even if it is involves something as heinous as running over your little sister with the SUV that it can somehow be reconciled in the final tapestry of God's purpose and creation. I personally have to also remember that my life isn't lived in a vacuum and it is in some small way it is connected with MANY other lives and God is looking at that from back far.. When we look at newspaper print up real close all we see are some red, green, and blue dots (meaningless) but from back far it is the beautiful picture of a new born baby.

That's as good as I can do today my friends! By the way God is the only one who knows the "whys" surrounding a particular instance of evil or pain so be very careful trying to tell someone else why. If you don't know what else to say maybe just hug them instead! I know this post is entirely inadequate but then again, I am inadequate. But the God who lovingly knit you together is more than adequate! In the end there will be no more tears, no more death, no more mourning, or crying, or pain! (Revelation 21:4)

Love you all,

David