Questions from an atheist

[TheMatmanReturns]

Alright guys. Ive got some questions. Actually, i have quite a few questions. Ill ask one and when I feel it has either been answered or wont be, ill move on to a new one.
First up is:
If god is all powerful and all knowing, why cant he put a stop to "Satan" for good?

It's not that he can't. Indeed, he can (and will at the end of the age). But in the meantime, he chooses not to.

Begs the question, why?

Because he wants to see if we will stop Satan ourselves.

 

[TheMatmanReturns]

can someone PLEASE say it simply?

The process of going through forgiveness is required to teach us how to appreciate God and His love.

Unless you have been deep in debt, you will never truly appreciate what it is like to be out of debt.

A person who has just come up for air after having been under water for several minutes will appreciate the oxygen we breathe more than he did before he went swimming.

 

[Room4all]

never mind that last one, newer question.
why go through the process of having to be forgiven?
why cant he just send those who were evil to hell and those who were good to heaven? It seems that if you become a xtian at the last minute, it doesnt matter whether youve been evil or good. Thats like Santa saying that "it doesnt matter whether youve been bad or good if you sign here."

Isn't it wonderful? Thats love pure and simple.

Pehaps this would explain it better.

Luke 15:11-32

God just doesnt forgive you..

He celebrates your arrival. You were lost and now are found.

Its the way it was for me.

As christians I think we try and make this much more complicated than it is. On earth we keep trying set litmus test to prove you are a christian, God requires 2 things. Total repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ and all that he is.

I am thrilled you are asking the questions you are. It means you are searching and it is an honor to help you find the answers you need. Please keep them coming.

 

[rocklife]

if what he wants is so clear than why is it misinterpreted so much?

Jesus spoke in parables not everyone understood. Only those who seek Truth 100% will understand truthfully.

New question: the 10C states "worship no gods before me"
so what about AFTER him? Seriously, if you primarily worship god are you still allowed to worship other gods as well?

I think "before" in this context can also be interpreted as "in his presence" like put right before His eyes. One of the definitions of before is "in front of". Christians are supposed to be in good conscience able to be in God's presence (in front of His eyes) 100% continually, if not physically, then spiritually.

 

[dvd_holc]

if what he wants is so clear than why is it misinterpreted so much?
New question: the 10C states "worship no gods before me"
so what about AFTER him? Seriously, if you primarily worship god are you still allowed to worship other gods as well?

worship no gods before me" is about within the worship of God being replaced with other Gods as we are all within the presence of God. God goes on to say that "I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God," you are thinking time when God is talking presence.

never mind that last one, newer question.
why go through the process of having to be forgiven?
why cant he just send those who were evil to hell and those who were good to heaven? It seems that if you become a xtian at the last minute, it doesnt matter whether youve been evil or good. Thats like Santa saying that "it doesnt matter whether youve been bad or good if you sign here."

The process of being forgiven is the process in which God choose to release people from their bondage to sin so that we become bond to the freedom of righteousness. God did this by faith through His grace that it might be free to all. Faith is not only a mental process but also about will and working out physical actions in the world so that we might be changed (renewed) into the Jesus forever.

Why does God allow bad people to continue, because God has a purpose through them to yet play out, and the end of which is going to be to the glory of God.

Now, there are many to whom claim be a Christian that did certain "Christian" things. They will seek to justify their being a Christian through actions, but a Christian is not justified through the actions, but the foundation of faith and grace found in Christ. No Christian is ever become insecure as status as a Christian at the death bed or become Xtian because we aren't secured by our own actions but by the hand of God.

can someone PLEASE say it simply?

Simple enough? and all of scripture was meant to be worked through interpation...and you have to seek out those who are of the faith. The search is not hard because God places those of faith near you for you to reach out to them. When you listen and seek to become like them, their faith is transfered to you the way God intended.

 

[JoyforJESUS]

The Bible, is actually a collection of Books, written over hundreds of years by some 40 different writers, all inspired by GOD. Each book was written for a different reason, in a different time. All from GOD.

 

[plmarquette]

people didn't believe in adolf hitler or what he wrote in his book either ... but he did what he said he would do ...

God created it all , said in his book :
this is my creation , my will , my plan , my game
and until you die , you choose what you wish to do and who you wish to serve with 2 provisio's :
1. heaven is the reward / prize
2. hell is the punishment

 

[JoyforJESUS]

people didn't believe in adolf hitler or what he wrote in his book either ... but he did what he said he would do ...

God created it all , said in his book :
this is my creation , my will , my plan , my game
and until you die , you choose what you wish to do and who you wish to serve with 2 provisio's :
1. heaven is the reward / prize
2. hell is the punishment