MY RESPONSE TO A SKEPTIC WHO REJECTS THE GOD OF THE BIBLE

You assume that you know enough about God and His creation to conclude that He should have done a better job. However, you are left with the same problem – the same universe of suffering and a God who doesn’t correct it. Why then do you believe in God unless your god is not all-powerful or is sadistic? However, if He is not all-powerful, we cannot entrust ourselves into His care. If He is sadistic or just uncaring, He is not worth our time.

You have the same problem as Job, who had accused God of injustice. However, Job finally received a hearing before God, which left him speechless. God had asked him about 60 questions, of which Job could not answer one. Job got the point – If he could not answer the basics, how could be believe that he had the wisdom to charge God with injustice. He therefore repented and was forgiven.

I want to say this as gently as I can. You too cannot even answer the basics like “what is time, space, light, or matter,” yet you are willing to indict God because this world of suffering and death does not meet up to your ideal. You claim to know enough so that you can justifiably tell God, “You should have been able to create a better world.”

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I didn’t want to spell it out for this young man, but his charge represents the height of arrogance. Perhaps we can even argue that suffering and death are a form of tough love for us rebels, lovers of the darkness (John 3:19-20), who need to have consequences for our rebellion:

·       Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them. (Proverbs 1:29-32 (ESV)

These consequences will hopefully instruct us that our only hope is in the mercy of our Lord.

However, many issues of suffering and of justice will not be addressed in this world. Their resolution awaits the next world when our Savior returns.