Nope.Are you not mistaking flesh for spirit?
By suffering we can appreciate joys of Heaven we otherwise could not. Suffering will end when Christ returns, after all the world hears the Gospel with the chance of repenting. He wants it sooner rather than later, but evangelism involves suffering. New converts suffer persecution. The angels offered to judge us, but Jesus explained they would uproot the wheat with the weeds, in the parable of wheat and tares. Jesus really wants judgment sooner rather than later, but it is up to us to work as evangelists and some in government.This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?
Yeah, we make our world what it is, but with two disadvantages, free will in blindness and the presence of extremely witty tempters, and the absence of the kind of presence of God there is in Heaven.I believe that the primary reason for the suffering we experience is simply that this world is an evil place where bad things happen. I also believe we can experience sickness and pain because of our unhealthy and/or sinful behavior. Lastly, I believe God that works all these things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
It is there but the world of man is quick to condemn it as it is contrary to the self serving ways of mankind. Speak about social justice and see what happens.the absence of the kind of presence of God there is in Heaven.
This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?
But what do you mean by this? I believe I know what Paul means by it, but what do you mean? Are you trying to say that you disagree that the display of God's glory is for our benefit? What is your point?Everything is for God's glory
Bud God knew that Adam would fail. He knew that Jesus would do His work on the cross. So He planned for suffering. Correct?
"Burden of proof"? What a weird thing to say. We prove things by quoting the bible, not by squabbling over conflicting opinions.
I disagree with this, so I'm asking you to prove it. I would like to see where you're coming from.If God knew everything, there would be no reason to threaten Solomon either. If God knew everything, there would be no reason to create Adam, or Satan, or anything at all.
"Us" is mankind, the crown of God's creation, and those made in His image. Ecc. says were were created to enjoy God. So then, "for thy pleasure" doesn't mean we were created for God's enjoyment (as if He needed some entertainment). It means because of His desire. Our purpose to glorify God is for our benefit, not God's. God doesn't need any benefit, since He is the giver of all things. "He is worthy to receive glory..." doesn't mean He actually incurs benefit. It simply means that God is worthy for us to give glory and honor to Him. Giving God honor doesn't benefit God, it benefits us. God already knows Himself as the ultimate worthiness, so the above verse is stated so that we will know it.???
Please specify or define us.
Revelation 4
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
I still disagree with your statement. God's justice is discerning and exact. Persecution is not a just punishment for sin. We receive just punishment for sin by sin's consequences, not by something unrelated to it. In addition, consequences as a punishment is only a foretaste of the ultimate punishment for sin in the final judgment.The key words here are "in a way" which are supposed to act almost like a metaphor. The bible says every inclination of the human heart of evil. Humans have become utterly corrupt, so we have no right to say we dont deserve suffering in a general sense. I am not saying that proclaiming the Gospel deserves punishment; proclaiming the Gospel should be praised, but our sin deserves punishment. The Bible says that God will convict us towards godly sorrow leading to repentance. This too is just suffering, as the suffering is caused by our own ignorance of God. Again, the goal here is character growth.
"Us" is mankind, the crown of God's creation, and those made in His image. Ecc. says were were created to enjoy God. So then, "for thy pleasure" doesn't mean we were created for God's enjoyment (as if He needed some entertainment). It means because of His desire. Our purpose to glorify God is for our benefit, not God's. God doesn't need any benefit, since He is the giver of all things. "He is worthy to receive glory..." doesn't mean He actually incurs benefit. It simply means that God is worthy for us to give glory and honor to Him. Giving God honor doesn't benefit God, it benefits us. God already knows Himself as the ultimate worthiness, so the above verse is stated so that we will know it.
TD
This is a popular question among non-believers and a reason why many claim there is no God. Or, why they believe in another God or religion such as Buddhism which explains this away as "karma". But as a Christian, what do you think is the reason God allows suffering?
Suffering is a concept created by man to help process events that are awful or destructive or hurtful. It’s a means to understand our imperfect selves in our imperfect world. Suffering is our poor attempt to make peace with the things we can’t understand.
That doesn’t mean to feel suffering is selfish or immoral or irrational, because it’s not. It’s just the best we can do, God knows this, and it’s why having faith is so important.
Also, Western Karma is very different than the religious teachings of Eastern Karma. Western Karma is a means of natural justice (reward and penalty) and rationalization at the meaning behind it. Good people have good Karma, bad people have bad. Eastern Karma is a philosophy that encourages introspection and acknowledgement on how our actions impact others.
So, for example, if I got a new job after beating out stiff competition, Western Karma says I was good and rewarded or they were bad and punished, and this is the result. If the people who didn’t get it were better at some unrelated thing, they would have had better Karma and gotten the job.
Eastern Karma teaches getting the job creates a ripple that will impact others... IE, there are people who won’t have that job who may have needed it as much or more. You should acknowledge your good fortune by doing yourself and the job justice by giving it your best, and maybe take a portion of your first few paychecks and donate it to companies helping people seek employment as a means of supporting the same good fortune you experienced for others. Punishment and reward has nothing to do with it.
I'm not sure where you've adopted the terms "Eastern karma" and "Western karma", but I can assure you that all philosophy based on karma is eastern which stems from Buddhism, Hinduism, and yogic traditions.
Karma means the result of previous thought and actions usually far back from previous lives. They believe if you were beaten by a group of thugs, it was a direct result of a previous life when you may have beaten someone. Or, if you are a rich person, it's the result of your being generous in a previous life and helping the poor etc. They believe that one's thoughts and actions in this life will produce good or bad karma in the next and will determine status if they reincarnate as a human, or if they come back as a dog, monkey, goldfish, or any other animal.
By your post it sounds as though you may favor what you term "Eastern karma". Please tell me you don't believe this
No . be careful .t.this sin of Jobs councilors was that they charged God with doing evil. God does not do evil.Bud God knew that Adam would fail. He knew that Jesus would do His work on the cross. So He planned for suffering. Correct?