Post by Barry OGradyPost by JamesPost by Free LunchIf there were a god, it would be silly for him to hide from us. A god
that actually exists would have no need for "followers" who make excuses
for his disappearance and make excuses for evil.
"But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and
live."" (NIV)
Exodus 33:11
And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto
his friend.
Sometimes God uses angels to directly represent him. The apostle Paul
revealed to us that is what not literaly God who transmitted those
Mosaic laws, but one of His representative angels. Acts 7:53,
"you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels
but have not obeyed it."
Post by Barry OGradyPost by JamesThus be glad He doesn't appear before you. You would vaporize.
So God can't control it's power.
There are things that God cannot do, such a lying. His glory is so
massive that to appear to a human would be too much for a human to
endure.
Post by Barry OGradyPost by JamesAs for evil, That comes from demons and humans.
Demons and humans come from God,
-Colossians 1:16
Yes, God created free will creatures. The evil is theirs.
Post by Barry OGradyGod creates evil.
-Isaiah 45:7
Here are how some modern day Bibles translate that verse which can
give us a flavor of what that verse is talking about.
(NIV) "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and
create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things."
(RSV) "I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe,
I am the LORD, who do all these things."
(NASB) "The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing
well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these."
(NWT) "Forming light and creating darkness, making peace and
creating calamity, I, Jehovah, am doing all these things."
Since God makes "calamity" or "evil" for certain people, can the
Bible's use of that word "evil" always be considered a bad thing?
Notice a discussion on this subject from this Bible encyclopedia:
"The Meaning of Jehovah's Bringing Evil.
Rightly, Jehovah brought evil or calamity upon Adam for his
disobedience. Hence, in the Scriptures, Jehovah is referred to as the
Creator of evil or calamity. (Isa 45:7; compare KJ.) His enforcing of
the penalty for sin, namely, death, has proved to be an evil, or a
calamity, for mankind. So, then, evil is not always synonymous with
wrongdoing. Examples of evils or calamities created by Jehovah are the
Flood of Noah's day and the Ten Plagues visited upon Egypt. But these
evils were not wrongs. Rather, the rightful administration of justice
against wrongdoers was involved in both cases. However, at times
Jehovah, in his mercy, has refrained from bringing the intended
calamity or evil in execution of his righteous judgment because of the
repentance on the part of those concerned. (Jon 3:10) Additionally, in
having a warning given, Jehovah has undeservedly provided
opportunities for the practicers of bad to change their course and
thus to keep living.-Eze 33:11." (Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 1,
pp. 772,773.)
Yes, when the God of the Bible administers justice, it certainly
appears 'evil' to the one's receiving that justice, but in reality is
it is right and proper. As Moses wrote at De 32:4 concerning God,
"The Rock, perfect is his activity,
For all his ways are justice.
A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice;
Righteous and upright is he."
Post by Barry OGradyPost by JamesAs for God, Jas 1:13,
2 Thessalonians 2:11
Actually some translations render Titus 1:2 as saying that God
"cannot" lie. (KJV, DBY, NWT) This is supported by Paul's statement at
He 6:18,
"in order that, through two unchangeable things in which it is
impossible for God to lie,..."
Then what does 2 Th 2:11,12 mean? It reads,
"So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they
may get to believing the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged
because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in
unrighteousness."
Notice the beginning words "So that is why..." This passage in showing
some action on God's part because of something said earlier. Thus we
must consider the context in order to understand this passage.
Paul is referring to a great "apostasy" (falling away from the true
religion) that was to occur. Notice verse 3,
"Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it will not come unless
the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the
son of destruction."
Those involved in this "apostasy" use an "operation of Satan with
every powerful work and lying signs and portents and with every
unrighteous deception". (Vs 9)
Notice who is doing the "deception". It is the members of that
apostasy.
But why would anyone listen to the teachings of that apostasy?
Apparently they like what they hear. Vs 10,
"... because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might
be saved."
These people do not love "the truth" of God's word. So God lets them
believe the lies of that deceptive apostasy, since that is what they
want anyway.
As the main verse we are discussing says,
"...because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in
unrighteousness."
Thus God is not doing anything unrighteousness, those wicked people
are. God is permitting those things to take place at this time. But
soon, God will not permit it any longer. (See Pr 2:21,22)
Post by Barry OGradyPost by James"When someone is being tested, he shouldn't think that God is tempting
him to do wrong. Evil cannot tempt God and God does not tempt anyone
with evil." (Simple English)
2 Thessalonians 2:11
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
See above the discussion of 2 Thess 2:11
Post by Barry OGradyPost by JamesYou are so wrong about your loving Creator. Don't mix up God's right
to punish wrongdoers with evil.
Don't mix up God's might with God's right.
God may have the might to act immorally but not the right.
God does act immorally
Immorality is defined by God. And it is humans and disobedient angels
who are immoral.
Post by Barry OGradyPost by JamesGod NEVER PUNISHED A RIGHTEOUS HUMAN.
God only punishes people he created.
Colossians 1:16 - 17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Thus God only punishes people who turn wicked with their free choice.
James
John 4:23,24
www.jw.org