With a Subtitle: Reflecting on hard questions about Biblical Christianity

A brief Excerpt: The article explores challenging questions about Christianity, emphasizing the importance of understanding the fall of mankind and God’s plan for redemption through Jesus Christ.

The Author is: Debra Hodges

Introduction

You may already believe in God because you recognize that a transcendent creator is the best explanation for the existence of the universe, given scientific discoveries such as the Big Bang, the finely tuned constants of physics, and the vast amount of information encoded in DNA. However, you may still long for answers to the really tough questions in life, like why does God allow so much suffering in the world, why does it seem as if the wicked prosper while the righteous struggle daily, how can Jesus be the only way to God, what about people who have never heard about Jesus, and how could a good God send people to Hell for all eternity when it appears the punishment doesn’t fit the crimes? There are no easy answers to these questions, but there are answers. The following examines some of these questions in detail.

Why does God allow so much suffering in the world?

This is probably the hardest question of all. The true answer is that we will never know the whole story until after we die. To understand the answer to this question, one must grasp this key concept: the fall of mankind. Those who object to the talking snake in the Garden of Eden should realize they, too, believe in talking animals since they most likely believe that mankind evolved from lower forms of animals. Since God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present, He uses whatever He wants to use in creation to carry out His plans.

The bottom line is this: Adam and Eve lived in paradise; Eve was tempted to disobey God; and they both disobeyed God’s command. As a result of their sin, suffering was introduced into the world, adversely affecting the whole earth as well as mankind. (See Genesis 3 and Romans 5:12). God allows suffering to bring about greater good. The suffering Jesus endured on the cross reveals God’s love for us and His plan of redemption. (See Romans 5:3–4, and 1 Peter 2:24). Suffering reminds us that Earth is not our final home and that our ultimate goal and hope is in Christ, not in earthly comfort and security. Finally, God promises to end all suffering for His people. (See Revelation 21:4).

Why do the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous struggle daily?

Psalms 37 and 73 explain that the prosperity of the wicked is only temporary. It cautions us not to forget the ultimate terrible fate of the wicked and the eternal reward of the righteous. In Psalm 91, we’re reminded that God’s justice may be delayed, but it is never denied.

Earthly success is not proof that someone is right with God. Life works on principles demonstrated by the sun shining on and the rain falling on both the good and the evil. Those who work hard, plan wisely, learn skills, take risks, and apply their knowledge may succeed even if they don’t believe in the God of the Bible. Problems don’t mean that God is fake; they’re proof that we live in a broken world. The real issue is about choice. We can open our hearts to a relationship with God and choose faith, or we can let our unmet expectations close our hearts to Him.

What about those who have never heard the Gospel?

God is a righteous judge. Not everyone is judged the same way; it depends on the light they receive and what they do with it. People who know the truth and deliberately reject it are judged differently from those who never knew, and eternity honors that decision.

People may say they’d believe in God and follow His teachings if He appeared to them visibly, but would they really? Seeing does not always produce believing, as shown in the Biblical accounts of the Israelites. God parted the Red Sea, provided food and water daily, ensured their clothing and shoes never wore out for 40 years, and provided pillars of cloud and fire for direction, yet they still complained and didn’t believe.

How can Jesus be the only way to God?

With billions of people in the world and so many different religions, it’s hard to believe that only one of them could have the correct answer to the question, “How do you get into Heaven?” There is only one correct answer to this question, just as there is only one correct answer to the question, “What is the sum of two plus two?” or “What is the password to my online bank account?” It makes sense that the person who created the universe, the world, and the Bible would be the one to give the correct answer: Jesus Himself. He is the one who said,

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6, NIV)

In this statement, he says that the relationship with God is the most important issue in life and that it can’t be obtained through a philosophy, moral code, or religion. If Jesus were a mere human being, His claim would be ridiculous. However, Jesus was not simply a human being and a good moral teacher; He was and is God. He proved this by fulfilling prophecy, living a sinless life, performing miracles, dying on a Roman cross for people’s sins, rising from the dead, and ascending into Heaven. His way is open to everyone and doesn’t depend on people’s good works, only on His grace, obtained through their relationship with Him.

How can a good God send people to Hell for eternity?

If God ignored sin, He wouldn’t be loving. Evil must be punished. Would you want people like Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse-tung, Pol Pot, and Genghis Khan, who caused horrible suffering and committed innumerable murders, to escape being punished for their crimes? God is just, and Hell is the necessary expression of His justice. He created it originally to quarantine the angels who rebelled against Him. God does not send people to Hell; they choose it.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23, NIV)

People are quarantined there when they ultimately reject God, the source of life and goodness, and His offer of salvation through His Son, Jesus.Hell is eternal because people will continue to reject God eternally. Sin is serious, and God has done everything possible to prevent people from ending up there. That’s what’s so amazing about His grace! That’s why Jesus said to go and make disciples in all nations. That’s why we have missions all over the world, to spread the good news of the Gospel. No one has to go to Hell because Jesus provided a way of escape through His sacrifice. We just need to believe and trust in Him!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV)

Conclusion

We all struggle with hard questions like these, and it’s good that we do, because it makes us consider our ultimate destiny. Success and prosperity do not prove God’s pleasure, and struggle and pain do not prove God’s absence. These are the realities of life. God knows that sometimes the things we cry out for the most are things that would ultimately destroy us! While God may not always respond to our prayers in a timely manner, He consistently hears and responds to our prayers, regardless of the outcome.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)