The Reason for
God
Tim
Keller
Notes on Chapter on "How Could A Good God Allow
Suffering?"
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Just because we don't
see a reason for evil and suffering doesn't mean there's not a reason for
it.
- Consider the story of Joseph and the
amazing conclusion in Genesis 50:20 - " You intended to harm me, but God
intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many
lives."
- There are countless other stories
where suffering was not good, but with time and perspective, some see the good
that resulted from the pain and tragedy in their lives.
Suffering provides a
greater evidence for God than for no God.......
- If you think there is horrifying
wickedness in this world, then there must be a supernatural standard by which
to make this judgment.
- Also, if suffering and evil don't
disprove God - - it doesn't matter - - - because the God of the Bible is still
responsible.
- Peter Kreeft said - -
"God came to the earth to deliberately "put himself on the hook"
for human suffering through his life and eventual death on the
cross."
- Jesus came on a rescue mission for
creation. He had to pay for our sins so that someday he could end evil and
suffering - - without ending us.....
God does not allow evil
and suffering to continue because He does not love us or is in some way
detached and removed from us. God takes our suffering so seriously, that he
took it upon himself.....
- God is Immanuel - "God with
us"
- 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in
keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Is Suffering in
vain?
- For the one who suffers, the
Christian faith provides, as a resource, not just the Cross - - but also the
fact of the resurrection.....
- The biblical view of resurrection
means that every horrible thing that ever happened will not only be undone and
repaired but will in someway make the eventual glory and
joy even greater......
- In Christianity,
everything sad is going to become untrue and it will somehow be greater for
having once been broken or lost...
- C.S. Lewis said - - "They say of
some temporal suffering, no future bliss can make up for it, not knowing that
Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a
glory."
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