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Your Question:
Is God still good if He lets bad things happen?
Answer:
Is God still good if He lets bad things happen? The concept of God's goodness is a complex and multifaceted one, and it's essential to understand that God's goodness is rooted in His eternal character. God's plans and actions are guided by His intrinsic goodness, which is not subject to external moral standards or expectations. The Bible teaches that God's commands and actions flow from His good character, and His goodness is not something that He needs to earn or prove. When we consider the problem of evil, we must recognize that God works through human actions in His providential management of the world. This means that the consequences of our choices and actions can have a significant impact on the course of events. However, this does not mean that God is not good or that He is somehow limited by human decisions. Rather, God's goodness is reflected in His sovereignty over all creation, including the free will of human beings. This sovereignty is not a limitation, but rather an expression of God's goodness and power. The idea that God is not good because He allows bad things to happen is a misconception that stems from a misunderstanding of God's nature and character. God's goodness is not something that can be measured by human standards or experiences. Instead, it is a fundamental aspect of His being that is rooted in His eternal character. As the Bible teaches, God's goodness is a reality that is not dependent on external circumstances or events. Even in the midst of suffering and pain, a believer can still affirm that God is good, not because of the circumstances, but because of their relationship with Him and their understanding of His character. Ultimately, God's goodness is not something that can be proven or disproven by human experiences or events, but rather it is a fundamental aspect of His nature that is revealed through Scripture and experienced by those who have a personal relationship with Him. Divine sovereignty, and God's good character, are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they are complementary aspects of God's nature that are essential to understanding His goodness and His relationship with humanity.
Sources:
christian apologetics
douglas groothius
mere christianity
c s lewis
christian theology
millard erickson
on guard
william lane craig
systematic theology
wayne grudem
introduction biblical ethics
robertson mcquilkin
trilogy
francis shaeffer
no doubt about it
winfried corduran
concise history christian thought
tony lane
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