Following are the questions raised by a new believer and forwarded to Sakshi. Jerry Thomas and George A Paul respond to these questions. More answers from Sakshi apologists will be updated here as and when we receive those.
1. Why God created us in the first place knowing very well that some people would reject him? Why take the trouble just to send someone to hell?
Jerry Thomas (JT): God created human beings out of love to love Him. Let me explain this further.
If God wanted to merely show His strength by creating human beings, He could have forced us to perfect submission and thereby avoiding the judgment.
If God wanted to merely express His knowledge by creating human beings, He could have made us perfect automated people who will never sin and reject Him.
If God created human beings out of love to love Him, He should create them with freedom fully knowing that many may reject Him. But, that is the nature of love. Love gives freedom and one can be only loved voluntarily (by free will).
You might ask again: Why did God create human being. My answer is: Can you really ask anyone why they did something out of love even if some of the results were bad? (Then the question looks silly. Isn’t it?). In fact, you can make perfect sense of the gospel if you got this answer correctly.
George A Paul (GAP): Asking such questions is like one complaining, “We must not have exams because some will fail, but the person forgets that it is possible for all to pass and clear the exam, but the real and practical experience tells us that some will fail. When this happens the student may protest, “I failed because the teacher conducted the exam” would such a protest be justified? Definitely not. They may also object saying, “The exam was too tough.” Then the teacher may answer, “Shouldn’t they prepare well.” But what if the teacher conducts the exam so that all would fail wouldn’t the student be justified in saying, I failed because the exam was conducted so that I will fail. Then the teacher would say, “The exam was conducted to prove that you do not have the ability to pass and to prove that you are a dull head so you failed, but the exam was also conducted to prove that I have the ability to train you and make you wise and to prove that I can give you a peace of my mind so that you will clear the exam with my wisdom.” This is what Jesus Christ did, no one can and will clear the exam but He (Jesus) did it for us and He gives us His Spirit (sharing His mind) to the one’s who trust Him. So, if you trust him He will give you a piece of His mind (His Spirit) with which you, I and everyone can and will clear the exam
2. Why did God not send the devil to hell the day he fell? Why let him destroy us?
JT: Because God is righteous and just.
Had God sent the devil to hell on the day he fell, what would we have told? We would have told some thing like this: It is unfair on the part of God to execute such a punishment on such a marvelous angel for one sin.
Now, we are fully convinced that devil deserves hell. But not everyone seems to be convinced of that. So, devil still lingers around.
Devil does not destroy us. He only gives the wicked counsel. We are the ones who invite the wrath of God by our own choice. Let us not give so much power to devil.
3. Why in the Garden did God forbid us from getting (the fruit of) knowledge of good and evil? Why not anything else?
JT: I have added ‘the fruit of’ to your question. There are at least two explanations and both are complimentary.
(A). There are at least two ways of knowing. One is by trusting the words of a person who is knowledgeable and the other is by testing it by ourselves. We know cyanide is dangerous because we have trusted in knowledgeable persons. None of us would ever attempt to test it by our experience. Now, do you think God should allow Adam and Eve to test the evil by experience? If there is one thing that God should forbid Adam and Eve, it is this.
(B) God wanted Adam and Eve to reflect Trinity in their life. In Trinity, God the Son does only the will of God the Father and speaks only the words of God the Father. Similarly, God the Holy Spirit does only what He heard from God the Son and glorifies only God the Son and not himself. Likewise, God the Father gives all glory and honor to God the Son. Triune God wanted Adam and Eve to be just like that fully centered on God. Unfortunately, they thought it otherwise and became self-centered. And they committed sin, the self centered act. (Solution: Cross of Jesus is the only true and sufficent other centered act in the history which takes away the self centered act of sin).
Now, tell me, was it wrong for God to forbid Adam and Eve from experiencing evil? Was it wrong for God to ask Adam and Eve to reflect the image of God in their life?
GAP: “If there is a God then He must be infinitely Good” if this premise is true then all goodness flows form God. This is so because infinity by definition includes everything and does not exclude any thing. So, is the case with the infinite goodness of God which includes every goodness and there cannot be any goodness out side of God, if there is any goodness out side of God then it must flow and have its existence because of God. And anything completely apart from God is not goodness at all.
Having said that, knowledge of good and evil is not goodness but it is just the knowledge about goodness. Moreover all such knowledge describes goodness by looking at the infinite goodness, who is God Himself. Furthermore, since evil is absence and perversion of goodness, we see Adam and Eve by eating fruit had only knowledge defined by looking at the goodness of God. Therefore, the test to see if Adam and Eve would seek the infinite goodness in God or just the knowledge of goodness in a tree or fruit is the right test. So we see until we come to the infinite goodness who is God Himself we would all perish by the very knowledge we have apart from God about good and evil.
4. If the wages of sin is death then let the souls die. Why eternal torture in Hell?
JT: Death is the absence of life. Eternal death is the absence of eternal life (God himself). So God is letting the disobedient souls to have eternal death. As there are no pleasures, joy, or peace outside of God the eternal Life and Love, there are no pleasures, joy, or peace in hell. Only crying and gnashing of teeth (and maybe tongue also).
5. God decides who should be saved an
d who should not. How does he decide?
JT: God does not make choices for you and me. It is we who decide whether we want to be saved or not. God wants all of us to be saved. However, God has determined the path for us to be saved if we want to. Accept God the Son, Jesus Christ, as personal savior.
GAP: By this question if you are asking, “is God conditioned by any thing other then His work and pleasure in making His choices” then the answer is, “No, He is not conditioned.” Primarily God is not conditioned by our works of Goodness to save us. Then one may ask, how does He decide? He decides by His pleasure and His pleasure is the work that He did through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ based on which he decides who should be saved and who should not be.
6. Why did God entrust us with the job of evangelizing the world? Could he not do it himself it would be much easier than letting us do a shoddy job of it?
JT: Interesting question. God who does mighty wonders alone gave us the undeserving privilege to spread the most miraculous, wonderful, and the greatest act of Him. Amen. There is one thing that God wants us to do: To spread the gospel of Jesus from the position of love and vulnerability. So, that those who will accept Him will accept Him voluntarily.
7. In apocalypse Jesus descends down to earth what about people who believe in him at the moment as soon as they see him will they be saved?
JT: If eyes of their heart are open, then they will surely be saved.
8. Why let the seed of Adam grow into a sinful world why not end it then and there? Sending two people to hell would have been easier than sending a whole lot more?
JT: Saving many is better than saving none.
9. Why do Christians hurt a lot of other people’s sentiments? Like some say we should not mingle with unbelievers etc. Why?
JT: Not all Christians but some do. The example you cited shows the hypocrisy and pharisaical attitude of some Christians who claims to follow the sinless Jesus who was the friend of sinners. Also, remember that Christians are also human beings in flesh and blood like others. We all tend to hurt each other. But forgiveness and grace of Jesus Christ can save us.
{moscomment}
1. Why God created us in the first place knowing very well that some people would reject him? Why take the trouble just to send someone to hell?
Comments: This is a question which only God can answer, as there is no ‘reason’ behind this. It is demonstration of God’s creativity, with full realization of it’s implications. If He was aware of the implications and still chose to go ahead, only he can explain why.
3. Why in the Garden did God forbid us from getting (the fruit of) knowledge of good and evil? Why not anything else?
Comments: God has not given complete freedom to man when He created him. Man was lacking in the knowledge of good and evil, which he got only after eating the fruit. This proves the fact that God was not a irreponsible father who has given man complete freedom and all knowledge when he created him. If God had given the knowledge, it would have meant that God wanted man to be under constant pressure of deciding what is good (under which man has currently placed himself). Instead, man’s mind was free of any kind of decision making responsibility, and even if he had done something wrong (example, to severely injure an animal) he would be free of guilt as he did it without having knowledge that it was wrong. By choosing to have that knowledge, man has not only invited God’s displeasure for disobeying his only command, but also has kept himself under this torment of deciding what is good and what is evil, by himself.
Just to Quote Dostoevsky from his ‘The Brothers Karamazov’:
Instead of taking men’s freedom from them, Thou didst make it greater than ever! Didst Thou forget that man prefers peace, and even death, to freedom of choice in the knowledge of good and evil? Nothing is more seductive for man than his freedom of conscience, but nothing is a greater cause of suffering. And behold, instead of giving a firm foundation for setting the conscience of man at rest for ever, Thou didst choose all that is exceptional, vague and enigmatic; Thou didst choose what was utterly beyond the strength of men, acting as though Thou didst not love them at all- Thou who didst come to give Thy life for them! Instead of taking possession of men’s freedom, Thou didst increase it, and burdened the spiritual kingdom of mankind with its sufferings for ever. Thou didst desire man’s free love, that he should follow Thee freely, enticed and taken captive by Thee. In place of the rigid ancient law, man must hereafter with free heart decide for himself what is good and what is evil, having only Thy image before him as his guide. But didst Thou not know that he would at last reject even Thy image and Thy truth, if he is weighed down with the fearful burden of free choice? They will cry aloud at last that the truth is not in Thee, for they could not have been left in greater confusion and suffering than Thou hast caused, laying upon them so many cares and unanswerable problems.
4. If the wages of sin is death then let the souls die. Why eternal torture in Hell?
Comments: Few Christian theologians are of the view that eternal death or annililation of souls is not an impossibility. They are of the opinion that Bible doesnot deny that possibility.
9. Why do Christians hurt a lot of other people’s sentiments? Like some say we should not mingle with unbelievers etc. Why?
Comments: If any Christian is sensible and is still hurting anyone, he is fulfilling what Jesus has claimed that all true Christians would be doing. Jesus said that he came to create a rift within families, as truth can never look pleasing to falsehood.
Jerry Thomas and George Paul:
At the outset, it is THE WILL OF GOD that is the PRIMARY cause of salvation and damnation and NOT THE LOVE OF GOD. And more over when scripture corroborrates that ‘From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores’ where is the question of ‘free will’ of man?? Unless the Father draws, none can come to Jesus (John 6:44) and where is the question of ‘ability’ of man?? Where is boasting then? It is excluded!! By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith!! Even this ‘law of faith’ is granted by God. So then ‘FAITH COMETH BY HEARING’, and hearing by the word of God. Yes, faith cometh, cometh from somewhere, outside of human depravity, from God.
The analogy of ‘exams’ and clearing of such exams is not at all relevant and is INAPPROPRIATE to the ACTS OF THE DECREE OF GOD IN ETERNITY who predestined some to election and some unto damnation. When Bible says that ALL are ‘dead’ in trespasses and in sins, that we were without Christ having no hope and without God in the world, how does this analogy of ‘exams’ can be applied? You mean to say that God, like human beings, is in frustration to find out who it is that pass the exam and who will fail the exams? Does salvation still rest with the one who writes and passes the exams? i.e final decision is in man’s hand? If Jesus has passed the exam on the cross on our behalf, then MIND YOU IT IS NOT AN EXAM (POSSIBLE TO FAIL) FOR JESUS BUT IT IS A ‘WILL OF GOD’ for which Jesus came from heaven John 6: 38 “How entirely different is the God of Holy Writ from this fictitious one of the sentimental dreamers of this effeminate age!” Oh, what fearful provocations, insults and injuries God meets with daily from mankind.
When it is God who hath decreed some unto reprobation in his act of preterition, why will He conduct an exam as if he doesn’t know whether it is Jacob or Esau that clears the exam? Don’t ye know that Jacob, though a deceiver in this earthly acts in time, was the choosen of God in eternity and that Esau was an object and vessel of wrath predestined in eternity? Know ye not that “The Lord hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” (Prov. 16:4). That the Lord made all, perhaps every reader of this book will allow: that He made all for Himself is not so widely believed. That God made us, not for our own sakes, but for Himself; not for our own happiness, but for His glory; is, nevertheless, repeatedly affirmed in Scripture—Revelation 4:11. But Proverbs 16:4 goes even farther: it expressly declares that the Lord MADE THE WICKED FOR THE DAY OF EVIL: that was His design in giving them being. But why? Does not Romans 9:17 tell us, “For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew My power in thee, and that My name might be declared throughout all the earth”! God has made the wicked that, at the end, He may demonstrate “His power”—demonstrate it by showing what an easy matter it is for Him to subdue the stoutest rebel and to overthrow His mightiest enemy.
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Daniel 4:35
Below are quotes by A W Pink:
“God has the absolute right to do as He pleases with the creatures of His own hand:
“Hath not the potter power over the clay; of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor?” (Romans 9:21)
is His own assertion. Therefore He may give to one and withhold from another, bestow five talents on one and only a single talent on another, without any imputation of injustice. If He may give grace and glory to whom He will without such a charge, then He may also decree to do so without any such charge. Are men chargeable with injustice when they choose their own favorites, friends, companions, and confidants? Then obviously there is no injustice in God’s choosing whom He will to bestow His special favors upon, to indulge with communion with Himself now and to dwell with Him for all eternity. Is a man free to make selection of the woman which he desires for his wife? and does he in anywise wrong the other women whom he passes by? Then is the great God less free to make selection of those who constitute the spouse of His Son? Shame, shame, upon those who would ascribe less freedom to the Creator than to the creature.” —A. W. Pink (1886–1952)
Taken from “The Doctrine of Election” by Arthur W. Pink (1886–1952)
Verse 18: “Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth”. The “therefore” announces the general conclusion which the apostle draws from all he had said in the three preceding verses in denying that God was unrighteous in loving Jacob and hating Esau, and specifically it applies the principle exemplified in God’s dealings with Pharaoh. It traces everything back to the sovereign will of the Creator. He loves one and hates another, He exercises mercy toward some and hardens others, without reference to anything save His own sovereign will.
That which is most repellant to the carnal mind in the above verse is the reference to hardening—”Whom He will He hardeneth”— and it is just here that so many commentators and expositors have adulterated the truth. The most common view is that the apostle is speaking of nothing more than judicial hardening, i.e., a forsaking by God because these subjects of His displeasure had first rejected His truth and forsaken Him. Those who contend for this interpretation appeal to such scriptures as Romans 1:19-26—”God gave them up”, that is (see context) those who “knew God” yet glorified Him not as God (v. 21). Appeal is also made to 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12. But it is to be noted that the word “harden” does not occur in either of these passages. But further. We submit that Romans 9:18 has no reference whatever to judicial “hardening”. The apostle is not there speaking of those who had already turned their backs on God’s truth, but instead, he is dealing with God’s sovereignty, God’s sovereignty as seen not only in showing mercy to whom He wills, but also in hardening whom He pleases. The exact words are “Whom He will”—not “all who have rejected His truth”—”He hardeneth”, and this, coming immediately after the mention of Pharaoh, clearly fixes their meaning. The case of Pharaoh is plain enough, though man by his glosses has done his best to hide the truth.
Verse 18: “Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth”. This affirmation of God’s sovereign “hardening” of sinners’ hearts—in contradistinction from judicial hardening—is not alone. Mark the language of John 12:37-40, “But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him: that the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe (why?), because that Isaiah said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts (why? Because they had refused to believe on Christ? This is the popular belief, but mark the answer of Scripture) that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” Now, reader, it is just a question as to whether or not you will believe what God has revealed in His Word. It is not a matter of prolonged searching or profound study, but a childlike spirit which is needed, in order to understand this doctrine.
Verse 19: “Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth He yet find fault? For who hath resisted His will?” Is not this the very objection which is urged today? The force of the apostle’s questions here seems to be this: Since everything is dependent on God’s will, which is irreversible, and since this will of God, according to which He can do everything as sovereign—since He can have mercy on whom He wills to have mercy, and can refuse mercy and inflict punishment on whom He chooses to do so—why does He not will to have mercy on all, so as to make them obedient, and thus put finding of fault out of court? Now it should be particularly noted that the apostle does not repudiate the ground on which the objection rests. He does not say God does not find fault. Nor does he say, Men may resist His will. Furthermore; he does not explain away the objection by saying: You have altogether misapprehended my meaning when I said ‘Whom He wills He treats kindly, and whom He wills He treats severely’. But he says, “first, this is an objection you have no right to make; and then, This is an objection you have no reason to make” (vide Dr. Brown). The objection was utterly inadmissible, for it was a replying against God. It was to complain about, argue against, what God had done!
PRAVEEN JANNU
God gave full authority to th devil untill the Judgement in order to prove that despite all odds there would be few people who will choose the rigt path regardless of all animal instincts.Althouh these people had not seen the God physically.They woud be believers.
Muhammad Naeem says, God gave full authority to the devil untill the Judgement that is untill the End.
However, Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18; Jesus Christ who has all power can save you.
So it is not devil who is powerful rather Jesus Christ.
by Paul