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Your Question:
Is God still good if He lets bad things happen?
Answer:
As a pastor and a Christian, I've grappled with this question many times. It's natural to wonder why God allows bad things to happen, especially when we see innocent people suffering. But the question itself assumes that God's goodness is measured by his ability to prevent evil, which isn't necessarily the case. If God is all-powerful, then he could prevent more evil than he does, but that would require him to override human free will, which is a fundamental aspect of his creation. The problem is that free will makes evil possible, but it's also what makes possible any love, goodness, or joy worth having. A world without free will would be a world without true love or morality. So, while it's hard to see why God allows certain evils, it's not necessarily because he's not good or powerful enough to prevent them. Rather, it's because he's given us the gift of free will, which allows us to choose between good and evil. As I reflect on this question, I'm reminded of the words of Jesus, "No one is good but God alone" (Luke 18:19). This tells me that God's goodness is not measured by his ability to prevent evil, but by his character and nature. He is good, and his actions are worthy of his own approval. While it's hard to understand why he allows certain evils, I trust that he is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). That doesn't mean I have all the answers, but it gives me hope and confidence in God's goodness, even in the midst of suffering.
Sources:
job
francis andersen
christian theology
millard erickson
christian apologetics
douglas groothius
no doubt about it
winfried corduran
concise history christian thought
tony lane
why does god allow evil
clay jones
mere christianity
c s lewis
systematic theology
wayne grudem
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