What God May Really Be Like – Misbeliefs About God

What Have You Got To Lose!

After watching the birth of my children and being out in nature, all in me yells there is a God. Natural selection theorists suggest our world happened by chance or evolved on its own.  Neither view can be proven scientifically, as none of us were there in the beginning to observe. Faith is required whether you believe in chance or a Creator regarding the origins of our world. Most would agree to live life as if there is a God causes one to live less self-centered. Most reading this would not argue they have wasted their live being good for goodness sake if there turns out not to be a God. I understand there are some who may argue a life has been wasted by being good and not fulfilling all their heinous pleasures if there is nothing after this life.

Let’s say we find out there isn’t a God after we die, but we lived our life as if there was a Creator and lived our life according to the Bible that claims to be direct revelation from the Creator. The Bible argues that life should resolve around loving God which can inspire and motivate us to love others. God always acts in the best interests of others. To love God is the ultimate unselfish act. God giving us the freedom to not love Him is the ultimate unselfish act though He put us here. To understand God, the Creator, is to understand how we were made and for what purpose. Our desires often suggest we pursue a gratifying moment that only brings short term pleasure. God said He made us to be self controlled. Pursuing instant gratification for most leads to unhappiness; a self controlled life can lead to long-term happiness and fulfillment.

I believe almost all, though it may be as we are approaching death, will evaluate our actions here on earth and either have many regrets or hopefully few regrets. Most will look back at their time here on earth and hope they have been less selfish than more selfish, cared more about relationships than possessions. Since almost all will at some time consider their purpose in life, it seems wise to force oneself to ponder as early in life as possible questions “how should I live” to have as few regrets as possible.

As I said though, I am convinced there is a Creator that we can believe in. Surely, the Creator is the most qualified to advise for what purpose we should live and how we ought to live. Surely, if we know how and why we came into existence, we can better answer how we should then live with fewer regrets. Shouldn’t we prepare for the end of our lives as much as we do for marriages or our careers? There is much to be gained and very little to lose when one has lived a purposeful life based on how and why we came into existence. Doesn’t it make the most sense to consult the Designer to understand how something should work?

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE!

Is Marriage Complicated Or Just Hard To Do?

Through What Lens Do You View God?

I must admit my bias. After many years of study, I have decided to give God the benefit of the doubt. Maybe when I meet the Creator He will not be all I thought He was. But, if you have more of a negative view of God which may turn out to be false, you may be wasting valuable time getting to know the Creator. The Bible, like any literature written long ago, can be difficult to discern the exact meaning the writer was intending with their words. When you read the Bible and stumble across something that makes you shake your head or wonder if you can worship a God thus as this, do you shut the Book in disgust or confusion? Maybe, just maybe, if you explore a little further God may not be the God who you think. Reading the Old Testament can be confusing at times. Is God a lover of war? Did God give His stamp of approval on a patriarchal society that was prevalent in Old Testament cultures?

Many may read the Old Testament and come away thinking God shows favoritism of men over women for no apparent logical reasons? Some have suggested from the very beginning God approved men as leaders and women as followers. This has never made sense to me based on reality. People are leaders depending on their gifts, not their gender. Having both a son and a daughter, nothing about their gender qualifies one over the other in leading a company, group, or family. And in my family my leading in the area such as finances is a joke if you knew our situation. Should I pretend to be the leader or the overseer in name, and not give my wife credit where credit is due? Besides, do marriages really need a designated leader or is a model of mutual submission best? Should roles be determined by gender than individual gifts and skills that one may possess? The Book of Genesis is often used to suggest the Bible designates men as leaders of the family. The context is God warning of the aftermath of sin when Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s guidance. God warned because of sin, men would tend to rule and women to look to man than God (Genesis 3:16). Who can argue God’s warning has come true in all cultures. This passage is a description for how marriages can go bad, not a prescription for good marriages. The best model for success is serving one another with mutual love and respect.

I know a bit odd but I have been studying the book of Leviticus lately. I have never understood the reason for all the ceremonial rituals advised by God to the Israelites. I know God must have His reasons. Why does the Old Testament require a longer purification after childbirth for girls than boys? Is this more of God’s stamp of approval on the order of things when it comes to the sexes? Leviticus can be an overlooked or confusing book until realizing many of the ceremonial laws given by God to Moses in behalf of the Israelites were for beneficial reasons and were not just a bunch of rituals to appease God’s ego. In Leviticus 12 the mother is advised to wait twice as long for purification if she has a girl as opposed to when having a boy. Harris in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary provides some understanding as to why this difference could be.

First of all, isolation assisted in bringing the mom back to health. Being declared unclean allowed the mother to not have to do the cooking or keeping the house, which could prevent the spread of childbed fever and help her to regain her strength. Isolation prevented traveling to the temple for sacrifice, thus being a physical blessing. But, why is the uncleanness and seclusion doubled for a female child (12:5)? Is this just more of God’s supposed plan to suggest men have more of a favored position than women in God’s scheme of things? I think Harris has a better suggestion. Since girls are usually smaller at birth and tended to have a higher mortality rate, the longer time allowed a baby girl to grow and get more established. Maybe fathers, as they do sometimes now, favored more having a son than daughter. A longer time at home may have encouraged more care from the husbands. Whatever the case is, there was no difference in the temple ritual between the birth of a boy or girl (v.6). Though what lens do you understand God when you read something that is confusing or suggest favoritism? 

HELL!

There is too much of a delight for my taste when I hear Christians advise hell is one of the most talked about subjects by Jesus. I hate hell. I hate thinking that anyone would have to go to hell just because of what they believe. I have concluded that hell in the Bible is not some lake of fire where the Creator enjoys torturing forever those that don’t believe in Him. Wouldn’t God have to keep humans alive somehow since bodies eventually burn to death? Please read other articles on this website that speak of why the creation of hell is necessary for freedom and justice reasons. I have also defended the Bible teaches there is annihilation after death, as opposed to unconditional immortality, for those who have no desire to be with the Creator after death. Fire is likely metaphorical language. God’s anger against evil is like an all-consuming fire (Heb 12:29). But, having said this, there is no denying that Jesus speaks of hell and an eternal existence without one’s Creator.

God has always only threatened punishment in hopes of turning others from their evil to His good. God doesn’t delight in punishment for the mere act of punishing.  Even in the Old Testament, where God has the reputation of being a warmonger, God always extended mercy and unbelievable patience in hope one would come to their senses. War was used when there was no other way to stop or prevent the influence of horrendous evil acts such as child sacrifices. Would any of us be alive today if God punished evil as much as we wish on those who hurt us? Thank God I don’t get what I deserve or wish on others at times. 

Humans would create Hell for one’s final destination if they so chose. Punishment in this life for crimes is moral. What about those crimes one is never discovered or punished for? God gives hope to victims of horrendous evil acts. Justice delayed does not mean justice not served. Too, the threat of punishment can be a good thing for certain folks. It can cause one to think before they act on their impulses. There are no guarantees it will deter people from hate or evil, but God will do anything in hopes we might choose a life of everlasting existence with Him than the alternative.

Prayer – Why Bother?

It seems many become so very disappointed with the whole prayer thing. Let’s be honest. Many, many of our prayers are not answered. Maybe the problem is the way we approach God. I do not wish to argue we can never pray the desires of our heart. If we want something form God we should communicate to Him about this. But, just as in marriage, if desires become expectations we will be solely disappointed. Job seemed to get a tongue lashing from God. Maybe because Job seemed to suggest God doesn’t care if He doesn’t answers our prayers the way we think they should be. It was almost if God said to Job “you want to try running a world where freedom has been given.” One person’s prayer for rain is another person’s prayer for flooding. Healing may just lead to one’s continued independence from God after brief euphoria. People were more influenced about the really important stuff in life by Jesus’ suffering than the miracles He produced. The same may be true in our own lives with those we seek to influence about the really important things in life.

It might revolutionize our prayer life if we begin to see prayer as communication to God about what is on our heart. But “God, if my desire is what is not best all things considered (the big picture) I know you can sustain me, I know I can count on you to get me thru anything. Please, please help me to lean and rely on you every step of the way.” God always answers prayer but often not the way we would hope for. God will always answer the prayer of those that pray “God, you know my desires but God no matter what happens, I am going to need you to never leave me every step of the way.” God promises He will always answer such prayers.

Why If There is God Is There Evil?

After years of reflection on this issue, I have come to the belief that the answer to this question is not that complicated. Christian theism has the best answer:

Christian theism acknowledges that God created the potential for evil because God created humans with freedom of choice. We choose to love, to hate, to do good or to do evil. The record of history bears eloquent testimony to the fact that humans, of their own free will, have actualized the reality of evil through such choices. Without choice love is meaningless. God is neither a cosmic rapist who forces his love on people, nor a cosmic puppeteer who forces people to love him. Instead, God, the personification of love, grants us the freedom of choice. Without such freedom, we would be little more than preprogrammed robots. (Hank Hanegraff, www.equip.org) 

The answer to suffering and evil may be quite simply, just hard to accept. There is evil and suffering because God created freedom. Humans make daily decisions to rebel against God’s will. Where there is a human will, there is a way. God does not cause evil or suffering. If there is to be genuine freedom, there must be the opportunity to love as well as to hate. Evildoers cause much of suffering, directly or indirectly, thus suffering inflicted by others is a by-product of freedom. God did not create evil or plan suffering in the first place, so He could ride in on a great white horse and save the world. But God has not abandoned us. God promises life after death with Him, where there will be no sin, for those who want to live with Him for eternity.  On earth, God works to bring good out of what was intended for evil. This does not mean God orchestrates evil to accomplish good. God, because of who He is, ultimately permits every evil act but this doesn’t mean ever evil permitted by God is necessarily for a greater purpose. The only way God can totally stop evil is to not create. Evil is not some grand scheme by God!

The problem may be that we do not accept how God has chosen to respond to suffering and freedom. Why doesn’t God intervene or stop more evil and suffering than He does? God seemed to answer Job questioning of His ways in this manner – “When you understand how difficult it is to run a world where there is genuine freedom and what I should and shouldn’t permit, call Me!” Humans may destroy at the first hint of evil, yet demand mercy for themselves and their loved ones. God isn’t human. God does not destroy or annihilate people at the first sign of opposition or even before evil gets out of hand. One time God started over, but The Flood proved evil just grows back. God is patient. God is merciful. Justice delayed does not mean justice will not be served. We have to decide whether to believe and accept that if anyone can best respond to freedom and evil and suffering, God can. God’s ultimate response to evil is the slow, necessary way of the Incarnation. God didn’t skip out on suffering Himself. In an attempt to change the world and turn as many people as possible from evil, God sacrificed His Son. Jesus shows us how to respond to and conquer suffering.

Evil could only have been avoided if God had not created at all or at least not given humans the freedom to choose. But, God is not responsible for choices His children make, though He brings them into the world, any more than human parents are responsible for the decisions of their offspring. God’s risk is no more insane than a parent who chooses to have a child born in an already corrupt world where freedoms exist. God at least initially brought children into a perfect world where corruption and death did not exist. We human parents bring children into an imperfect world, knowing they could commit some evil act or experience evil at the hands of others at some time in their life. But, it is worth it! I believe the pleasures of parenthood far outweigh the risks for evil and suffering as a result of freedom.

It is not necessarily true that if God instantly stopped all suffering, the world would be better off or there would be less suffering. During suffering is sometimes the only time one changes their selfish ways. Sometimes others only consider the important matters in life by witnessing how others handle suffering. I am not necessarily a better person the less I suffer.

Whether our theology likes it or not, things happen not according to God’s will because of freedom. It isn’t heresy to assume that not even God can create life in its very essence, impossible to exist without death, violence, suffering and struggle and yet there be genuine free will. God can’t force genuine love. The problem may be that we do not accept how God has chosen to respond to evil. God may intervene through the miraculous though this is hardly the norm. God’s response to evil is not to destroy the evildoer instantly or impose His will immediately. God has not chosen instance justice but mercy and justice in the long run. We demand independence from God and when He gives it to us, we bitch at Him. Often though, we hightail it back to His promises and peace in the midst of chaos that only He sometimes can provide. God didn’t avoid suffering Himself. He sent His Son to show us the way and give us hope beyond this world.

Our New President and Politics

Regardless of who you voted for in 2008 to lead our nation these next four years, we must be hopeful about one thing at least. As a young boy I grew up where adults seemed clueless just how morally deprived it was to not be utterly disgusted that people of different colors were actually made to drink from different water fountains or use separate public facilities. Obviously, not enough people in this supposed great nation of ours were disgusted enough to not allow such a symbol of bigotry and non-acceptance of the equality of all peoples. “Peoples” is really a misnomer. The truth is if you believe in a Creator and the biblical account of creation, there is no such thing as different peoples or races. There is only one human race if you believe God created the first man and woman, whom from ultimately all are born. This idea of different races, which allows bigots to suggest their race is superior, is born of a godless view of the world. Electing a black man to be our leader doesn’t right all wrongs, but it should give us hope that this nation is moving in the right direction of not judging one according to their color.

Having said that, it is difficult to understand how a man who graduated from Harvard Law School cannot have an opinion about abortion. Whether he likes it or not, there are moral absolutes or there would be no need for laws. He claims to be a man of faith, which requires he take a stand on matters that potentially concern life and death. There is evidence a beating heart can be detected before that supposed blob is even been conceived for a month. It can be defended that those little infants can experience pain very early on. Still, he is our President and we would do well to take heed from the man who conceded so elegantly.

One last thing about politics. How distasteful is the whole process? Candidates spend hundreds of millions of dollars to be elected. Surely, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize there is a better use of that money in a world where people are starving. Cannot we limit the amount of monies allowed to be spent in representing your case to be elected? Secondly, will there ever be a politician who will run on their own record and not spend the majority of their words on what is wrong with the other candidates. To treat each others the way many candidates do when running for office, and then at the end act like everything is alright, is not a world I understand. In my world when someone treats me as candidates do one another, reconciliation of words is necessary before healing can take place. Are there not more tasteful ways to agree to disagree than the current process? I long for the candidate who runs more of a positive campaign. The problem though is that may not be what wins elections. Who is to share the blame? The people who vote of course.  Candidates run negative campaigns because that is what gets votes!

The Meaning of Life – Who Cares

My good friend on his blog wrote:

This morning on my way to work I watched some geese fly overhead, heading south presumably for the winter.  Regardless of where they were heading, I was struck by their orderliness and teamwork.  As I continued on, I was surrounded by the fall colors and the majesty of the earth this time of year. Evidence of His reality is everywhere.  Evidence abounds that their is a design to the creation of the world, of human life, of every natural thing.  And evidence also abounds that we humans, not God, are the ones who have completely screwed things up, causing untold numbers of tragedies that maim and kill and ruin people’s lives.  All it takes is a little looking around to realize our own smallness and God’s greatness, yet very few of us bother to look around or think about these matters.

It is so true! During times of evil and suffering, we are quick to blame God and not look inwardly. It seems few care to engage in  discussions about issues that are really important in life. Ever tried to initiate a spiritual discussion like you would about a good movie. I have this pent up passion in my heart that few care to think about, much less discuss. Why do some look inwardly and others don’t? Those of us who look inwardly don’t dare well-up with too much pride because of our so many personal shortcomings, must less God’s desired expectations for us that are always in our best interest. I dare not be too judgmental. Would I be a spiritually apathetic person were it not for my parents?

Though I have spent half of my life writing in hopes of convincing others one day that God may not be their problem, that God may not be the distorted image they have of their Creator, the truth of the matter is many don’t pursue a relationship with God for reasons others than questions about His nature or character. Many simply are passive rather than active pursuers of spiritual truth for whatever reason. Most of us are just spiritually lazy. Spiritual apathy is the human plague. There is a prevailing lack of God-consciousness in our culture. As mentioned, ever noticed how it is easier to invite or tell a friend about a great movie rather than invite them to church or discuss God. Send out an invitation to your church as opposed to another event and see how people react differently. It is true many people may fear a friend is trying to change them by inviting them to a church rather than a movie, but notice the difference in a discussion about an earthly versus spiritual matter. Both are reasonable for discussion but many are uncomfortable talking about spiritual matters, even if not being coerced to believe a certain way.

Why don’t we prepare for death? It is inevitable, one hundred percent of the time, that we will all die one day. What don’t we consider NOW our purpose here on this earth. Most will contemplate these matters on their deathbed. Perhaps one may be apathetic or uninterested in God because of their relationship with their earthly father or mother growing up. One may assume their heavenly Parent is like their earthly parent, that God is a reflection of their earthly parents, rather than the perfection of their earthly parents. God is the perfect Parent, the parent we all understand and wish we could be toward our children. Earthly parents often physically or sexually abuse their children. Earthly parents often give gifts with strings attached. Earthly parents often fail to apology for their mistakes. Earthly parents often live their dreams through their children rather than accept and appreciate their uniqueness. No matter our childhood, we must come to realize our parents are not God and God is not necessarily like our Parents.