Confession. I write about the same topic often by asking
some version of the question: What Is God Really Like? Open discussions as to
what a perfect Creator is like are important; an imperfect Creator is not worth
believing in. People may stop believing or never start believing in God if they
accept everything they hear about God!
People when describing God often quote the Bible. Isn’t that
where we discover what God is like? It may be if you have a Bible unlike the
majority of people born into this world. So, there must be other ways to know
God. The problem is scholars who respect Scriptures don’t agree on the meaning
of the same passages. Interpretations aren’t infallible. We have every right to
question interpretations that suggest a Creator doesn’t love how we were
seemingly created to love others.
Who wants to follow a God who is anti-science, anti-woman,
anti-gay, etc.? Many only believe or claim the following because of what they
think a Book declares about God:
How could a God who teaches forgiveness seventy times seven
possibly create Hell to torture anyone forever since such pain serves no
lasting purpose? Humans wouldn’t even create such a place for their worst
enemies. I am convinced even if you believe every word of the Bible is inspired
by God, the traditional understanding of Hell doesn’t exist in the Bible.
How could a loving God demand only Christians go to heaven
so all other Religions can go to Hell? The majority of people born into this
world died without knowledge of the Bible or who Jesus was. Also, most rebel or
adhere to the religion where born. If born into a Buddhist family, one is
likely to become a nominal or devoted Buddhist, etc. Is God a God of chance?
How could a loving God condemn gays when they can no more
choose who they love than straights can? If you think there is a 1% possibility
that science proves that sexual orientation isn’t a choice, then let’s error on
the non-judgmental side. Who chooses homosexuality when one has to hide their
sexuality because of bigotry and hostility?
How could a loving God favor men over women in leadership
roles which has encouraged centuries of domestic abuse and other atrocities
women face. The Bible can also be interpreted to endorse roles according to
gifts not gender. Women don’t need male leadership in marriage; women need men
who have the heart of a servant (Eph. 5:28-29).
Why would God insist on a literal interpretation of Genesis
which seemingly denies the possibility of evolution? Scientists, who believe in
the authority of Scriptures, have provided overwhelming genetic evidence that
the human race couldn’t have originated from a single couple but through a
population of some thousands of individuals. People don’t need to lose their
faith because they believe in evolution. See https://biologos.org/
Why would God create or even allow evil? When we say God
allows evil, it gives the impression God stands by when God could stop evil. A
God who can prevent evil but doesn’t is no different than a parent who stands
by and watches their child being physically or sexually abused. Maybe God can’t
control or violate freedom and love perfectly. God can only stop evil with the
help of others or not create freedom!
I have just begun.
What is God really like? Extremists insist on their
interpretation of a Book. Anyway, we can’t prove every word of the Bible was
inspired by God unless you argue a biblical writer making such a claim is
definitive evidence. Writers may have needed to grow in their understanding of
God. Listen to your moral inner voice what God is like. You may be right! God
surely created us with intuitions how we ought to love others perfectly like
God. Challenge God to help you find answers to your questions.
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