Why?

[DJ B.K.]

I've been wondering about some pretty important things about christianity lately. I've been wondering why God put us on this earth with the chance to go eternal torment. Why does he punish people to eternal torment whose personality made them want proof for things? Why did he put us on this earth, what is our purpose. I'm not even sure how to type all of what's going on im my head so this post might not make sense. I'm just not able to thank God for anything because I'm not sure why he decided to do what he did and why he put us on this stupid earth. If anybody understands this post and can help me it would be nice.

 

[jesus_freak_for_life]

I understand.
God understands, too, and I'm praying that this will help you.
First and foremost, remember that our Father works in mysterious ways. There are just somethings we will never understand. And that's okay.
Try to focus on what you DO know. Jesus died for you.
But I'm going to try to answer your questions. This is one of those times I wish I didn't lend out a book because it had a REALLY good explanation for this. (Letters from a Skeptic, by Gregory Boyd. I recommend you checking it out.)
God loves us. He knew what was going to happen, but He LOVES us, and He knew that at least SOME of us were coming home. To force people to come would not be loving. He gave us free will. We messed up, badly. We sinned. We WILLING seperated ourselves from God, we KNEW it would happen. Why? Because we were tempted. By who? Satan. We chose to go to Satan. And one day Satan will pay for the damage he caused, and he will be destroyed, with all who belong to him, which kinda rules out the entire eternal torment thing.
The book explains it better. He's really smart.

 

[WalkByFaith]

God put us on this earth with the ability of free choice. That put the choice of whether there was evil or not in the hands of man........ and if you are asking yourself why didn't God make us without that choice..... with only the ability to love etc.....then is that really love? If you push the button on a talking doll and it says "I love you" do you find that meaningfull? If we were only able to say "I love you" "You are my best friend" etc that really isn't love at all. Real love involves a choice..... and that choice God has given us so that we may experiance love..... but man abused that choice and turned on God and that is how sin and suffering was introduced into the world.

 

[EJO]

God created us to have a relationship with us, because he loved us. He does not need us, he is perfect.
Some of those questions are pretty deep, and unfathomable, and also a lot of that stuff comes with time, and having a long relationship with God. As He works in your life, and your faith is deepened as you trust in Him for a longer period of time.

I thought I knew alot of stuff when I was 18- 21 years old. But then I got married, and then I had kids.... I know JACK about alot of stuff. Also, read James, the first chapter. God likes to teach you thing with trails...they seem to stick with us (the lessons) longer when we actually live through it, instead of just reading about it in His word, or hearing a sermon about it.

Keep Praying and spending time in God's word.

Peace- EJO

 

[OracleX]

Our purpose is to love and glorify God. In order to have love there must be free will. With free will comes sin and the choice to go to eternal damnation.

 

[DJ B.K.]

Hey you all thanks for the replies so far but if been having some other problems lately. I'm having trouble getting real close to God. I believe God and Jesus exist but I have trouble talking to God because I'm not totally sure he's there. I'm also having trouble sitting down and reading the Bible. I'm not much of a reading person and I'm having trouble getting really inspired by it. I think it's because I'm not understanding all the messages.

I'm able to do the easy things like listen to christian music go to church. I think though also I want to find another church to go to because I want to be non-denominational and I'm Catholic now. I'm not even really sure why, I just recently started to begin a real relationship with God even though I've been a catholic all my life. I also think I should join a bible study to help with my understanding of the Bible. I'm just not sure how to get started with all this. I have some good christian friends, I'm just not sure how to talk to them about this. For some reason it would feel weird for me to ask them about this even though they are good christians. I'm just so confused right now.

 

[JohnR7]

If anybody understands this post and can help me it would be nice.

A lot of us have wondered about these things. We live in the church age and this is the Holy Spirit Dispensation. God wants to demonstrate His love, mercy, grace and forgiveness in our lives.

As far as the fate of those who reject God. There are three beliefs. The one you mentioned, "eternal torment", then there are universalists who believe everyone will ultimately be saved. Then there are annihilationists who believe God will destroy anyone who rejects Him and His plan.

It is not unusual for people to flip around between these three beliefs at different times in their life.

I'm just so confused right now.

It is God's desire to give us a sound mind.

2 Tim. 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

 

[JohnR7]

Hey you all thanks for the replies so far but if been having some other problems lately. I'm having trouble getting real close to God. I believe God and Jesus exist but I have trouble talking to God because I'm not totally sure he's there.

We enter into the presense of God though worship, praise, thanksgiving and an attitude of gratitude.

Psalm 100:4
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Ephes. 5:18-19
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

 

[The Midge]

Hey you all thanks for the replies so far but if been having some other problems lately. I'm having trouble getting real close to God. I believe God and Jesus exist but I have trouble talking to God because I'm not totally sure he's there. I'm also having trouble sitting down and reading the Bible. I'm not much of a reading person and I'm having trouble getting really inspired by it. I think it's because I'm not understanding all the messages.

I'm able to do the easy things like listen to christian music go to church. I think though also I want to find another church to go to because I want to be non-denominational and I'm Catholic now. I'm not even really sure why, I just recently started to begin a real relationship with God even though I've been a catholic all my life. I also think I should join a bible study to help with my understanding of the Bible. I'm just not sure how to get started with all this. I have some good christian friends, I'm just not sure how to talk to them about this. For some reason it would feel weird for me to ask them about this even though they are good christians. I'm just so confused right now.

1. Remember that God will not leave you even if it you can't "see" that he is there. "Nothing... will be able to separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8: 38 & 39)
2. Feeling discontent with your present situation may not be a bad thing. This could be the Good Shepherd moving you on to better pasture.
3. When you talk to your friends I bet you will find they struggle or have struggled with the same issues! If not there will be a time when they do! Being in a small house group where you get to know people at a deeper level can help. You sometimes have to get below the mask some people put on which says "everything is fine I don't have any struggles".
4. Studying the Bible is good. Try and find a course or study that is not leading i.e. asking questions designed to produce the "correct" answers. There are two I know of (Search the Scriptures IVP and another called Know the Bible). A group helps because you share different ideas. Private study is also good because it ensures you check what you are told by others and can cover a wider range of material.
5. In the UK I would suggest joining a Christian Union at College. There are relatively few and they are not competing with each other [as much]. I was amazed at how many they were in the USA when I was on exchange. Why not try to find an interdenominational group that will not try to 'convert' you?

Midge.

 

[Galadriel]

God put us on this earth with the ability of free choice. That put the choice of whether there was evil or not in the hands of man........ and if you are asking yourself why didn't God make us without that choice..... with only the ability to love etc.....then is that really love? If you push the button on a talking doll and it says "I love you" do you find that meaningfull? If we were only able to say "I love you" "You are my best friend" etc that really isn't love at all. Real love involves a choice..... and that choice God has given us so that we may experiance love..... but man abused that choice and turned on God and that is how sin and suffering was introduced into the world.

I have had this similar question that is being asked, and your response WalkByFaith is VERY good, I just wanted to say that. I agree, what is love if it is not a choice? Very good response that you gave.