Christians and your problem of evil (Jesus, Earth, reincarnation, beliefs)

[Mister Emu]

Evil is the all of the world's problem, not just Christians

edit:

Take this example - A devout Christian is on trial for a muder he did not commit. The jury etc are all devout christians. False evidence is found and he is sentenced to death. Why does a loving God allow this?

God loves us enough to give us free will. We make the descisions for what we do here.

[Runlikethewind]

Originally Posted by Sportman1987

Even if we are minute, these peoples lives cannot be seen as unimportant in my eyes - even if it relates to the grand scheme of things. I guess that is an explanation - in the grand scheme of things, people are meant to die - lessons are meant to be learnt, etc. But I personally cannot accept that human life is treated so apathetically. Though, if you believe in reincarnation your theory works perfectly and is very apt. The problem is, many Christians (the majority, I would thnk) would call you blasphemous for your reincarnation beliefs.

Christians don't need to believe in reincarnation we believe in resurrection. God does not treat human life apathetically or unimportant if He is willing to grant us eternal life, without pain and suffering and evil. How are we supposed to learn anything if every time we are reincarnated our memories are wiped? If we are resurrected with our memories and experiences intact then we can learn from them in the life after death.

[Sportman1987]

Thanks for the responses.

So, in summary you guys feel that most things in the world that can be classes as 'evil' are a result of free will, which is extremely important. I accept this, it is a valid explanation. I'd like to add though - there are natural limits to our free will. We cannot, for example change our physical form. We cannot be so strong to lift a plane above our head. Why has God chosen to limit certain aspects of free will? We are free to choose what we do, but we are not free to do many other things. Where is the distinction made?

And, if a completely innocent person dies - there is generally no explanation, other then God, for whatever reason has allowed it to happen, for reasons humans cannot comprehend.

[Mister Emu]

So, in summary you guys feel that most things in the world that can be classes as 'evil' are a result of free will, which is extremely important

For me at least, yes.

I accept this, it is a valid explanation. I'd like to add though - there are natural limits to our free will.

Of course, physical limitation.

Why has God chosen to limit certain aspects of free will? We are free to choose what we do, but we are not free to do many other things. Where is the distinction made?

We are free to do anything within our physical limitations.

And, if a completely innocent person dies - there is generally no explanation, other then God, for whatever reason has allowed it to happen, for reasons humans cannot comprehend.

Well because, God, for the most part, lets us do what we want to do.

[Runlikethewind]

Originally Posted by Sportman1987

I'd like to add though - there are natural limits to our free will. We cannot, for example change our physical form. We cannot be so strong to lift a plane above our head. Why has God chosen to limit certain aspects of free will? We are free to choose what we do, but we are not free to do many other things. Where is the distinction made?

Again this is a question that requires one to know the mind of God, why did God give us free-will and then limit our choices? only God knows. Perhaps free-will is such a powerful thing that in the hands of children like ourselves it could be very dangerous if limits where not placed on it. Heck its dangerous enough with the limits God did place on it.

Originally Posted by Sportman1987

And, if a completely innocent person dies - there is generally no explanation, other then God, for whatever reason has allowed it to happen, for reasons humans cannot comprehend.

Everything dies, every death can be explained by the fact that death is a natural part of this reality. Everything dies regardless of innocence or guilt. Dogs, cats, flowers, trees, fish, everything that lives, they all die too regardless of whether concepts like guilt or innocence even apply to them. This all ties back to the original question if an all-knowing/powerful/benevolent God exists why did He create a world in which both evil and death exist? I don't know but I do know that since this existence is temporary our experience of evil/pain/suffering/etc is also temporary it will be over when we die. And if the message of heaven and salvation is to be believed, as Christians do believe, then this temporary evil is followed by eternal goodness. So evil is really not a problem it is just another aspect of this temporal existence that we have to put up with, like being hungry and having to eat, like being tired and having to sleep, like being cold or hot or sad or whatever. This reality is the problem that we have to put up with evil is just another problem among many.

[Runlikethewind]

Originally Posted by Runlikethewind

So evil is really not a problem it is just another aspect of this temporal existence that we have to put up with, like being hungry and having to eat, like being tired and having to sleep, like being cold or hot or sad or whatever. This reality is the problem that we have to put up with evil is just another problem among many.

So what is it Run? is evil a problem or not?

[Runlikethewind]

Originally Posted by Runlikethewind

So what is it Run? is evil a problem or not?

I don't know I'm looking at it all from a different perspective now. It seems wrong to focus on one aspect of this reality, namely evil, without looking at it as a part of a greater whole. This reality is altogether imperfect it would seem. There are many things that from our perspective God might have been able to do 'better' on, a world with out evil would be one, a world without hunger and exhaustion might be another. There are all kinds of things that God could have done different but He didn't. It seems we have to take evil as an aspect of the whole of reality. Hmmm...this is a very interesting line of reasoning I wonder where it will lead.....