Greg,
There are many things I don't understand, yet rely on, electricity, television, telephone, cell phones and the wireless internet! I don't need to understand the nuances of these things to accept their benefits and also sometimes their, if you will, their curses. These are just little things, things much less important and less complicated than God. I will not claim now or ever to have all the answers about God. No one can. Well, I guess they can claim, but there is no way to really know, just as there is no way to really know exactly how everything began. Many Christians do not believe in a 6000 year old earth. Honestly, I don't really care how old the earth is. But I know it is important to many for some reason. I have been told that the original word used in Genesis for day is the same one that is used when the Bible refers to an age which could be years. There is also scripture that says a day for the Lord is like a thousand years. So, the earth age, universal flood vs. regional flood, I don't see those as important.
I am trying to answer you honestly and I do hope that you don't see me as trying to cram anything down your throat. I am also not trying to belittle or be sarcastic or avoid. I am trying to be genuine. You are asking questions that I have asked myself before. I find that many people start looking, seeking answers and when they think they have found it, they stop. Clinging for dear life to the answer they have found because they so desparately want to be right. Unfortunately, I think, that keeps people from growing. There is nothing like doubt to make you look deeper and learn more.
The written word, or in this case, e-mail word, doesn't express sentiment. I hope you understand that I am truly enjoying your posts. Not in an entertainment value, but because they do make me think, re-evaluate. Your posts do not make me question my faith, but rather my ability to express my faith. I must always be ready to give an answer for my hope. You have shown me once again, that I need to be more ready.
I am going to try another analogy. I know it is not the perfect one, but maybe it can express a little how I view God. I have a three year old. By the way she is precious! I love her dearly. She is able to understand what I tell her, but she is not yet able to understand the why's of everything I tell her yet. There are times she needs to obey just because I tell her to. Sometimes those things could be life saving. Like, STOP! At that moment there isn't time to explain that a car is backing out of the parking lot and doesn't see her. She just has to trust that I have been faithful in my instruction and obedience is necessary. And please don't just pick at and point out the holes in this analogy. It would take a book to cover everything I have thought of regarding it. Just read it, trying to see the heart of it. As a child of God, I don't really need to know the why's of everything. He has been faithful to me so many times that I need to sometimes just obey. And I know.... what about cow killing, and sister selling...He doesn't ask us to do that. The Bible reports history as well as how to live. Just because the Bible says people did some things, doesn't mean they were always approved of, or ordered. God did have requirements in the Old Testament that are no longer required. Much of what is reported I see as foreshadowing of His ultimate plan. I also see those arguments as deversions. And, I do not think they were originally yours, but Niles.
This is getting soooooooo long I don't even know if you will care to take the time to read it. Your last question is the one I have been struggling with the most myself. It is one that I have thought about alot over the last year. I do see it as much more relevant than the age of the earth, or the flood issue, or cow burning. I know you are familiar with the Calvinist vs. Armenian debate. I admit to you now that I am not as familiar with it as I should be. I have really just started digging into what I believe regarding it. It is a debate that has gone on since scripture. No man KNOWS the complete answer.
I do believe in an all knowing, all powerful, ever present, all loving God. I am going to try and answer and explain my answer to your question about God creating people for the sole purpose of damnation. Please do not think that I am saying this is the definative answer and is God's word. This is just my thought. As I continue to read, pray, and research, this thought could change!
I believe, God created everything and everyone. He chooses and loves each person. He gives them free will to choose Him or not. He knows what their choice will be. He has the power to change that choice but doesn't exercise it. Those that do not choose Him will still further His purposes and plans and be used to show His glory. The Pharoah in Egypt at the time of Moses could have let the people go at any time, but God knew he wouldn't and so God's power was shown then. Yes, many died. It is a sad story as well. But God also gave a way out. He told the people how to avoid the angel of death. Those that obeyed were spared. I see God as faithful and just, as well as loving. Justice is not always happy, neat and pretty. I don't know why He chooses to do the things He does the way He does, but this is where faith comes in. The Bible talks about a loving, merciful God, but also about a jealous, just, God. I think His wrath is as great as His love. He has proven to me that He is faithful, just, merciful and loving. So I must trust Him in the things I do not understand. I don't believe this to be blind faith. Blind faith is when there is no evidence. There are many evidences in my life where only a loving God could have rescued me from my actions. So, back to the cell phone, t.v., and all that other stuff I don't really get....I have found when I suffer the "curses" of them, like computer crashes and the sort, it is 99% of the time not the computer, phone, or t.v.'s fault. It is usually something I have done wrong. I either failed to read the directions, or misunderstood them. I think that is true with people. When people act in horrible ways using God as an excuse, I very much believe they have misunderstood, or just used God. When they see God as not doing what they think He should, it is because we have miss read the directions, the Bible, or misunderstood it. It doesn't mean that the directions were written wrong, just that my finite, untechnological mind, doesn't get it.
Sorry this is so long. Greg, I hope Costa Rica is wonderful. That is a place I have always wanted to visit. I love beaches, jungles, and fishing. I hear all are great there! I hope you are there for pleasure. If it is business, I hope you have time to make it pleasure as well. Thanks for your time here.
