How do you tell the difference between a good god and a bad god that is lying about being a good god? Christians refer to the Bible to indicate that God is good. Why isn't the possibility that God is bad and telling us he is good in the bible plausible? How would you know?
I notice atheists, in general, ignore that there is a devil and evil spirits. In fact, there seems to be no Satan for atheists, interesting......
Instead all evils on earth they put on God. This is not biblical at all. You can not argue against God and ignore Satan and his hordes. They are a big part of the equation.
To know the difference would be understanding more about Satan and his hordes and how they operate. God does not author evil. He is good.
[Psa 25:8 NIV] 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
The world and all that goes on are very complicated. There are many, many layers that we don't see nor understand. The Lord doesn't do evil, but that doesn't mean he can't utilize evil spirits against evildoers. He can give them permission even against good people as he did with Job.
[Job 1:6-22]
We also get a glimpse of this here.
[The wholes story is 1Ki 22:1-40 KJV]
[1Ki 22:19-23, 34-35 KJV] 19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. 20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. 22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
... 34 And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. 35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
Most Bible stories and situations don't give you the "behind the scenes" of what's really going on. God is active for the good of all. Yet evil people bring evil on themselves.
It was the false prophets who were "prophesying" lies, which in turn took Ahab to his demise. Do you see the evil spirits in their mouths, of course not? The same way we don't see how active evil is in the world.
When we do not understand the intricacies of what is going on and the depravity of the human heart, it's easy to take cheap shots at God for any and every situation. He has nothing to hide or such verses that atheists use against him, he could have omitted from being in the Bible.
[Jer 17:9 NIV] 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Jesus said, [Jhn 10:10 NIV] 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
[1Pe 5:8 NIV] 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
We can see this clearly unless of course you still follow him.
[Eph 2:2 NIV] in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
[2Co 4:4 KJV] 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(...remember the song, To Hell With The Devil?)
