If a person has followed my life story; he or she will see that I have mixed feelings towards God. On one hand God has given me so many experiences that I have learned from, and on the other, I have suffered a catastrophic event. I propose this question that is grappled with every day after my injury; if humans were created in the perfect image of God then why do we experience the pain and suffering? Furthermore, does that make God a superhuman, I mean, if we were created by God? I have always thought it was difficult to see why so many people are willing to write, call, or offer prayers and comfort in a way that might help someone lessen the burden. Should we expect help from God when we need it?
Many might think if God created us in his image it is his job to give us a good life. In addition, to the choices that count are made for us (e.g., looks, intelligence, ability, etc). Drawing a comparison to the person I think God might resemble is Superman’s ability without the kryptonite. When thinking about God is like Superman there is an immense theological problem. We see that if there were was a Superman whose powers were nearly unlimited and his job was to keep the world from injustices. If there was a Superman, then why would we need to do anything to keep the world safe?
In this world only the smart and beautiful individuals win. We would just sit around on our collective butts waiting for the Superman to handle it. If we are worshiping a Superman God and neither Superman nor that kind of God are good for us. What world is that?
Beethoven was deaf and the ranks of billionaires and nobel laureates are filled with people who have failed from one thing or another. Many were not given conventional gifts but they used what they were given to make success out of their lives. Because of God we are not in this world alone, but because of free will we must find our way in the world alone. God has made the world into a canvas for our moral free choices. Our good and bad decisions are what make this world into the masterpiece it is it today.
It is not God’s job to, “Give us a good life.” It is God’s job to show us how to make moral choices that will produce a good life for us by our own will and courage and hope and love. That is God’s real job description. Yes we are given different blessings but our destiny is not given to us, it is earned by us. Our destiny is chosen not bestowed at birth.
In conclusion, the great philosopher Leibniz taught, this is the best of all possible worlds because this world includes human free will, and free will is the single trait that makes us humans, God’s greatest gift.
- How did I do on this post?
- Are you wrestling with the same questions?
- How has this helped view God differently or the same?
- Please connect with me…..
Gary Brown says
GOD is good.
Chad says
Hello Gary, thanks for connecting with me. Why do you think God is good?