Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen to Good People?
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The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Classic Pew and Worship Edition, Black)
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Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version
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Holy Bible, Giant Print Personal Library Edition: King James Version
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GNT Holy Bible, Good News Translation, Catholic Edition
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The Holy Bible King James Version: King James Version Economy
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When Bad Things Happen to Good People
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When Bad Things Happen to Good People
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When Good Things Happen to Bad People
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If you don’t believe there is a God, this question is mote
If God is a God of love, why does He allow evil things to happen to good people?
I think most people eventually ask this question at some point in their life. Being a person with a pragmatic bend, I have had to deal with it in a way that makes sense to me. I have to try and answer the question for my sons who ask, or at the very least explain where I stand and hope it helps them see my perspective.
To address this question you first have to assume there is a God. If you don’t believe there is a God, this question is mote. For myself, I believe in God and I believe he created man in His image and He gave us free will. When presented with the option man chose to ignore God’s desire and follow his own. Because we can each choose our own paths, and they do not always follow God's path, we create situations that are far from the perfect plan God intended.
So, why did God even bother to create us if He knew that by giving us choices we could and would choose to ignore him? Is it not feasible that by allowing us the freedom to choose, we please God when we choose to believe Him?
Hard questions that have sparked heated conversations around the world for as long as man has existed. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, and as trite as it sounds to those who seek to find them, I have had to rest in my belief that God Is, and I will live my life accordingly.
That does not mean that I will not continue to seek out the answers, even in my limited capacity for understanding the ways of God. I still want to know. Knowledge after all is what man reached for in the beginning - the knowledge of good and evil.
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The Shack
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
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The Shack
If you struggle with these hard questions, I would like to suggest that you read the book “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young. This is a brilliant work of fiction in which he asks and attempts to answer these questions.
Please don’t ignore the book because it is fiction. The author has a very unique approach and some unconventional ideas that somehow work. If nothing else I think you will find a new perspective to ponder and quibble about.
For those who would argue that the Bible has all the answers and there is no need to look further, you may perhaps be right. Again let me say that I am a simple person, and don’t pretend to have all the answers, even having read the Bible - some portions - many times over. So when someone comes along that looks at the questions I have asked myself and makes an attempt to answer them, I am willing to hear what he has to say. And in this case willing to share it with others.
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Comments
Absolutely! I always admire someone who can use the written word so effectively. And it is always a special treat when the author challenges the reader to new ideas.
Thank you for an interesting perspective on why God lets bad things happen to good people. I am a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and believe that the concept of free will is central to becoming a follower or serving God. God is recruiting for believers but He will never force anyone. Also the concept of free will inevitably means that some people get hurt by choices they make. Interesting hub.
Hi Smireles.
Thanks for the interest and for your comments. It is interesting that Jesus, Son of God, - the only perfectly good person - suffered humiliation, criticism and crucifixion before being raised again by God, so that I could freely choose the gift of salvation he offers.
The Duchess and I discussed this off line, and by this time, a few of the points have been addressed above. However, she asked that I post what I wrote, and I'm pleased to do that.
Of course, discussing any aspect of how God interacts with the world is complex and multifaceted, as there is no one reason, just as there is no one way he treats everyone, other than loving us -- the "intolerable compliment," as C.S. Lewis called it, of loving us so deeply that he wants the best for us, even when it's not easy.
So here is what was written previously, in response to a question about my reaction to the post above:
The people who ask this question generally don’t think first of how to define “good people.” Or, to turn it around, to define what makes you not good. Does it take murder, or would cheating your boss, lying to your spouse, or cutting someone off in traffic count? At what point are you “good enough” to qualify for rescue. In addition, most people who ask that question would be outraged if God dared to stop them from doing something they wanted to do, even if stopping them protected someone else. They want interference when it is convenient, but not when it might keep them from pursuing their own agenda or pleasures.
So it’s all tied up in the issues of free will and sin. If God lets us have free will, we suffer the consequences of our wrong choices or the wrong choices of others.
To take it in a different direction, Jesus was perfect, and God allowed him to be crucified. Good thing he did, as we’d all be lost if that very bad thing didn’t happen to the one truly good person.
Looking at both the Bible and Christian history, we find that it is often the bad thing happening to the “good” person that strengthens the person, trains the person, moves the person to the next destination or level, or reveals God’s glory in some way. No one gets strong without a struggle. The butterfly dies if it does not have the opportunity to fight to get out of the cocoon. The soldier who never faces a battle will not be much of a soldier. People who face no hardships become weak, luxury-loving wimps who can’t imagine sacrificing anything for a higher cause.
As for “the Bible having all the answers” issue that you bring up, one might ask why God tells us in the Bible that there will be teachers, preachers, and prophets. If it’s all in the Bible, surely we don’t need anyone to guide us. The answer is, of course, that He knows we do need guidance. The Holy Spirit is the primary instructor, guiding us into all truth, and we are supposed to test the words of any teachers against the Bible, but that doesn’t mean never accepting teachers — whether in the flesh or in print. The teachers do not add to the Bible, but they unpack it, illumine it, use their gifts to show how ir applies. Regarding fiction, I have found great comfort and delight in the fiction of C.S. Lewis, for example, as well as instruction. And if we look at Jesus, he often used parables to teach. So I agree with you that a book, even fiction, can be a guide. We do need to test it against Scripture and reject any part of it that disagrees, but it doesn’t mean we can’t gain greatly from instruction.
Thank you Cynthia
God allows bad things to happen because there is sin in the world but he also is always there when we reach out to him. You can't have good without bad. Its all a learning experience and how we react to the bad and what we walk away from it with makes us who we are.
Kbennett, you are absolutely right, He IS always there. Just waiting for us to reach out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.
I loved this hub in favor of God and those who believe their is only 'One' who could have been our creator. Things do usually happen to us in regards to our choices. You made me want to read the book: 'The Shack'. Since I love to read, you have made me very curious about this one. Thanks!:)
Hi gwennies pen. I think you will find it an enjoyable read. A little out of the norm, but very thought provoking.
Enjoy
Duchess OBlunt,
Wonderful hub! This is quite thought provoking. I just wanted to say; God is the ultimate Father, Life is about discovering God our Creator, our life’s purpose and growing spiritually. It is important to Know His WORD! God wants the best for us!
Adam and Eve chose sin for us through their disobedience. This is why bad things happen to good people!
God still wants the best for us as His children. This is why He allowed Jesus Christ to come wrapped in a sinless body of flesh to overcome all sin in the flesh to show us the WAY back to Him. Jesus lived a sinless life and was crucified, died and was buried. Yet, He arose with all power. He was the ultimate sacrifice for all sin. Jesus is the “Good shepherd who laid down His life for us.” One might ask? Why do people continue to have children knowing the world is the way it is? Because, they love them and want to give them a good healthy balanced life. They know that bad things will happen but they also know that this will shape their character and make them better, wiser people! God is far above all of us. We are created in His image. He Loves us so much that he allowed His only begotten Son to die in our place!
Spiritual warfare is all about us. Sin lurks in many forms always trying to deceive, derail us as God’s children and to distract us or detour us from God’s plan for each of us! He has given us the ability to choose. it is important to know that “God never tempts us!” Once we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior; He comes into our hearts to live. He is the Resurrection! God has provided us with His Holy Spirit as an internal guide, teacher and Comforter to bring us to the knowledge of all Truth. “His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a Light unto our path.”
In Him we have the victory!
Thank you for this opportunity of sharing
Blessings
DeBorrah. Hello. I'm pleased you decided to join this particular discussion, and pleased you have provided your take on this tough question. I am always happy to hear another's perspective. Thank you for sharing yours.
Love it. No one ever promised that life was going to be easy, but with god at my side, all things are possible with him who gives me strength. God bless(:
Jon, thanks for stopping by and agreeing with me :)
God Bless
Aahh Duchess! You said it in the simplest form! Thank you for that!!
I have to bring most things down to the simplest form so that I can understand it.
It was a pleasure.
My personal theory is, deep down we really *want* bad things to happen, like you want a novel to have some kind of conflict, otherwise it would be boring to read. God, in his generosity, listens to and obliges those deep desires...
Pat's Wonderful Husband took a course on bereavement counselling at his local synagogue and recommends the book 'When bad things happen to good people'.
WE agree with you that 'The Shack' can be very helpful.
Thanks for the additional reference book. I'll have to look for that one.
It's people that allow bad things to happen, God just let's them do evil because that is their masters (Satan) desire, and God respects their free will, even to behave badly.
Every word we speak, is either a prayer to God or an empowerment to Satan.
As the majority of the world don't know Christ as their Saviour, then their words often favour Satan rather than God.
Thank you aguasilver for stopping in, commenting and becoming a fan.
I guess when you get right down to it, it is people who allow bad things to happen. We just always seem to want to be able to place the blame on the shoulders of someone much bigger than ourselves.
Thank you for the reminder to be careful of what we speak.
I read some of your hubs. You have quite a good collection.
Lynda says:
4 months ago
I have read the book, and regardless whether you beleive in God or not it is a very good read. But for those of us that have grown up with "a" prespective of God, being we have put him in a box, this book breaks that box wide open.