In the last several years, I have spent a lot of time thinking about and studying this issue that rears it's ugly head from time to time. For those who don't know what this problem is, it's a difficulty in reconciling the love of God with evil and suffering in this world. Whether that's through a natural disaster, or a tyrant, or just bad things that happen to people, there are many that wonder why a "good" and "loving" God would allow these things to happen.
As a renewed Christian, I have a hope and trust in God that his plans and purposes are bigger than mine. When I was an agnostic, this disappeared and in that frame of mind, faith and hope were not options I was willing to consider.
The true difficulty of this problem is that you can't convince someone who doesn't recognize God as we do, that God has a plan and purpose that far outweighs the pain and suffering in this world. It's not an acceptable argument to them because your foundation of truth is not the same as theirs. You're speaking French to an Englishman. And vice versa. No amount of "proof" will sway one person over the other.
Does anyone see my point here? Why do we think repetition and turning up the volume will some how lead to conversion or agreement? Sure, there are cases where people have changed their mind, but when it comes to matters of God and spirituality, isn't it best to let our actions be our words. And let the truth we speak come from the mind of God, scripture (and not our version of what it says), rather than from a clever argument we found in a book? People on both sides are tired of arguing. Next time you are in a discussion around a topic like this, make sure to take more time to "listen" to the other side, then making sure your voice is heard. This has a greater impact than anything you could "argue".
1 comment:
Nice post. It actually made sense to me. :) You have come a long way, I should know, I live with you. Reading your posts, I'm finding that there are things I never knew about you and where you stood. I'm sure there is a good reason that you kept those from me. Even though I don't all of what you were going through back then, to read these posts and think back, a lot is starting to make sense. Thank you for being so open.
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