The theme of the Bible revolves around God's sovereignty, his right to set standards for his intelligent creations.
Adam and Eve were created with a perfect moral compass that included God's standards. As such, they knew only good and had no need to experience the knowledge of good and bad...
It's likely that your preacher has failed to make this point to you. No doubt a job security thing.
Anyway:
If you peruse the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, particularly ch 4 of each, you may note this exchange:
This underscores one consequence of the rebellion in Genesis ch. 3. Satan has...
Among our current presidents, who would you say is doing the best job?
A] Frank Underwood
B] Donald Trump
C] Tom Kirkman
BTW, I realize these may all be fictional characters . . .
t.hawkins:
Interesting dissertation. I mostly agree.
But how do you answer the critic who wonders why a loving God would allow war and crime and sickness and death?
Is Jesus God?
Well . . . .
To whom did he pray?
Who resurrected Jesus? Or, are you saying he did not really die? . . .
On the subject of sacrifice:
What parent would not willingly sacrifice himself or herself in order to spare the child? This is the essence of Jesus' sacrifice and further...
My main reason for belief is that I have free will.
As for your proclamations about beer:
It may not save the world: but it certainly makes my day. :beercheers:
It's good to find things in common, eh?
There would be no violence, no war, no crime, no sickness, no death had Satan not conscripted our first parents into his rebellion. So what we read must be a consequence of that event. The true ruler of our world must be not God, but his accuser.
If that sounds goofy, consider the temptation...
No argument for (or against) the existence of God can be stated with certainty.
Whatever one believes, it should be without desire for license or grasp for reward.
Have you never considered the logical inconsistency of infinite punishment for finite sin?
Understood
Note discussion below
Faithful people have known since long before Jesus' time that God has promised to undo death. See Job 14: 13-15. Jesus promised a resurrection at John 5:28, 29, as noted...
I believe you have answered your question with your question. But consider this: Take any part of that simple cell and note that even the simplest part is not simple. The cell cannot function without the sum of its parts and the parts cannot function without the cell.
Noted.
Mea Culpa