Thursday, June 26, 2014

IMPRINT

In this final posting about the problem of evil and suffering in the world and God's place in it, we should ultimately ask ourselves this question:

"Why do you think evil or suffering is a problem at all?"

OK dude - you've gone right off the deep end.  Of course suffering is a problem.

But is it?

If we're just here by some chemical soup that evolved over billions of years as some believe -- if we're just here to propagate our genes to another generation and then die and be done as others believe -- if there's no Intelligent Designer who put all this together as many believe -- we shouldn't think suffering is a problem whatever, should we?

'That's the imprint of an Almighty God on your life.'

You've seen wild animal shows where the cuddly zebra is contentedly drinking from an African stream and then, from the left side of the TV screen, a lioness rushes in and all of a sudden there's zebra soufflé?

I'm just asking, what's wrong with that concept for humans - that the strong can kill the weak - if we're just here as the product of some accidental biological molecular explosion and there's no grand Moral Law Giver?  What's the big problem then?

If that's the case, what's wrong with the Holocaust?  It's just the strong killing the weak, like the animal kingdom.  Why don't we look at all that and say, "What a shame," and go on with our lives?  And yet, none of us do.

You'd consider someone inhumane who took that position.  But by what standard would they be inhumane, if there's no God and there's no moral law created by someone bigger than you?

Something huge inside us rises up and cries, 'No!  The suffering of human beings made in the image of God isn't right.'

And what I want you to see and understand is that it's God who has given you that sense.  Because if you just looked at the world created from a big boom, you'd conclude it's very natural that strong people kill weak people and who cares?

Yet we instinctively know that's wrong -- and that's the imprint -- not of a molecular crash -- but of an Almighty God on your life.  And at the end of the day, the answer to this whole dilemma is God's own Son, Jesus, who died on a cross for your sins - as your substitute - in your place - for a world God loved.

And be blessed.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

When we speak of evil I turn to current examples. I am watching a series on CNN about the 60's. Tonight was the fight for Civil Rights. When you speak of the strong killing the weak, it is a terrible example. The road to equality has been well-traveled, but we still have more to do. There is still prejudice in too many people. This may be controversial, but I see it almost as much in black people towards white these days. Fortunately, in my experience, it is lessened quite a bit. I work with a diverse population.

I don't know, PK. The tenor of your blog is Godly. I have too many current events to cover. I am sure it's not the time or the place. I do like to discuss things happening in our world today that are pertinent, though. Oh well. Suffice to say, there are too many examples of evil and I don't think bringing them to light is such a bad thing. Just not on a pastors blog.

PK's BLOG said...

The Gospel is not at odds with Current Events. It is 1000% relevant to everything going on around us all the time.

Anonymous said...

Cool...I will ponder this and post about some things I know are happening in our world.

There is something else that has been in the news a lot. When the father left his son in the car for 7 hrs while he was at work. It was reported that the car temperature likely rose to 120 degrees and the boy died from hypothermia. The father said he forgot his son was with him. I seriously do not think that he should be tried in the media, but things don't seem to be adding up. We'll know more when they investigate further.

Let's look at IF he is guilty of pre-meditated murder. What kind of parent could take the life of their child? The bond between a parent and child is likely the strongest of all. We can easily look to the Casey Anthony trial. She was found not guilty, but many, including me, think she did it. Your child looks to you for protection and virtually everything in their lives. If taking their life is not evil, then I don't know what is.

Then, there are the nearly 300 hundred girls that were kidnapped in Nigeria. I know that JC is very much involved with human trafficking. These girls were destined for a similar fate.

I just don't understand how a person could see another as less than human. The strong preying on the weak. I just wonder what shaped them to be the people they are today. These things are horrifying and also sad. To imagine that God created an incredibly beautiful world and parts of it have come to this.

Well, those are just some of the things I have followed. Having shared this, I do recognize that there are many wonderful and loving people. More than the evil and I remain optimistic. There is far more to thank God for than not.

Anonymous said...

Evil was introduced into the world by man's choice. Temptation by satan yes but it was still Eve's choice to eat the forbidden fruit and Adam's to choice to follow suit. Human trafficking, man's own lust...filling a sinful need. Someone providing young girls, filling their sinful need; greed. Racism also starts with you but it also could end with you. Satan is never going to quit trying to influence your thoughts. You have the choice to listen or not. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Temptation not checked spirals into full blown evil. This can be an individual or if enough people buy in, an entire country. Satan, the god of this world plants the seed, lets it grow and then fuels the fire. Trust in God, your Savior, your Jeaus...In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.