How do you know God is good?

jayem

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Other than having faith in the Bible, and religious tradition, is there any way to know that the biblical God is morally good? Based solely on observation, it’s far more logical to believe that God—if one even exists—is one of 3 possibilities:

1) Dualistic. Sometimes good, sometimes evil. Or possibly 2 gods—one good, and one evil, in constant struggle with each other.
2) Morally neutral and uninvolved.
3) Morally evil and deceptive.
 

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jayem

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He's been good to me even though I'm sinner. :bow:



observe the world around you, have a right attitude

Acts 14:17

But consider option #3—God is evil, but deceptive. We know from experience and observation that there is much inexplicable pain and misfortune in world. Young children below the age of accountability are abused, become sick, and die miserably. The wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer. This would be expected if God is evil. But if God is also deceptive, he would allow some mercy, love, beauty, happiness, and answered prayers. All to disguise his true nature. Even the Jesus narrative could be deceptive. His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection could have happened exactly as the gospels describe. But it’s all a ruse to dupe believers. An evil God doesn’t need a reason to do this. It’s just his inherent nature to be evil and duplicitous. The world could look the same as it does now. Other than by faith, how can you know God if good, evil, or both?
 
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OldWiseGuy

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But consider option #3—God is evil, but deceptive. We know from experience and observation that there is much inexplicable pain and misfortune in world. Young children below the age of accountability are abused, become sick, and die miserably. The wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer. This would be expected if God is evil. But if God is also deceptive, he would allow some mercy, love, beauty, happiness, and answered prayers. All to disguise his true nature. Even the Jesus narrative could be deceptive. His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection could have happened exactly as the gospels describe. But it’s all a ruse to dupe believers. An evil God doesn’t need a reason to do this. It’s just his inherent nature to be evil and duplicitous. The world could look the same as it does now. Other than by faith, how can you know God if good, evil, or both?

God has made it clear that "stuff" happens to us ("time and chance"). He even allows misfortune to happen to his chosen people. That's life on planet earth. What this reveals is that the right way of life is indeed "strait", or difficult and finite. Mankind is quickly going the other way, the "broad" way that leads to the destruction of man and of the earth.

We also have to consider that Satan is still mostly in charge down here. God only intervenes to keep his plan 'on time and on budget'.
 
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jayem

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We know God is good because we know good exists.

Yes, good things happen. If everything was unrelenting misery, we wouldn’t know anything else. And as I said, an evil and deceitful God could allow some good in order to hide his true nature. Whatever good there is isn’t necessarily evidence that God is good.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Yes, good things happen. If everything was unrelenting misery, we wouldn’t know anything else. And as I said, an evil and deceitful God could allow some good in order to hide his true nature. Whatever good there is isn’t necessarily evidence that God is good.

God's overall purpose is the restoration of the glory of his kingdom, not ingratiating himself to every human. If he breaks a few eggs in the process they are his eggs to break.
 
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jayem

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God has made it clear that "stuff" happens to us ("time and chance"). He even allows misfortune to happen to his chosen people. That's life on planet earth. What this reveals is that the right way of life is indeed "strait", or difficult and finite. Mankind is quickly going the other way, the "broad" way that leads to the destruction of man and of the earth.

We also have to consider that Satan is still mostly in charge down here. God only intervenes to keep his plan 'on time and on budget'.

Sure. But belief that God is inherently good can’t be determined by an objective observation of events. It’s purely a matter of faith. Along with a lot of wishful thinking.

Edited to add:

I forgot to mention that Paul makes the same point about the need for faith:

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.”

Hebrews 11:1
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Sure. But belief that God is inherently good can’t be determined by an objective observation of events. It’s purely a matter of faith. Along with a lot of wishful thinking.

God places his spirit into those he chooses.
They begin to think as he thinks.
They come to understand what is ultimately good.
However this is counter to what the world thinks is good.
At this time we are helpless to accomplish real good.
Admittedly it's frustrating at times.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Sure. But belief that God is inherently good can’t be determined by an objective observation of events. It’s purely a matter of faith. Along with a lot of wishful thinking.

Edited to add:

I forgot to mention that Paul makes the same point about the need for faith:

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.”

Hebrews 11:1

The way to determine the goodness of God is to follow his instructions for you, revealed in his word and by his spirit, and judge the results. Based on this I judge God to be good...very good. :bow:
 
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OldWiseGuy

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Other than having faith in the Bible, and religious tradition, is there any way to know that the biblical God is morally good? Based solely on observation, it’s far more logical to believe that God—if one even exists—is one of 3 possibilities:

1) Dualistic. Sometimes good, sometimes evil. Or possibly 2 gods—one good, and one evil, in constant struggle with each other.
2) Morally neutral and uninvolved.
3) Morally evil and deceptive.

How would an (objectively immoral) human make such a judgment.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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You don’t have to be Mother Theresa just to use basic logic.

Isn't human logic the cause of most of our problems? We need more Godly logic in our thinking. Suck it up and do the right thing.

Even Mother Theresa knew there was something horribly wrong on the earth.
 
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