Chapter 1 Paragraph 7 (a) How have religious teachers led many to think that
God is hardhearted? (b) What does the Bible really teach about the trials we
may suffer?
Chapter 1 Paragraph 7
"(a) How have religious teachers led many to think that God is hardhearted? (b) What does the Bible really teach about the trials we may suffer?"
"Worse yet, religious teachers sometimes lead people to think that God is hardhearted. How so? When tragedy strikes, they say that it is God’s will. In effect, such teachers blame God for the bad things that happen. Is that the truth about God? What does the Bible really teach? James 1:13 answers: “When under trial, let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.” So God is never the source of the wickedness you see in the world around you. (Job 34:10-12) Granted, he does allow bad things to happen. But there is a big difference between allowing something to happen andcausing it."
a) When tragedy strikes, they say that it is God’s will. For instance when a child dies, have you ever heard someone say that God "took him/her to be another Angel"?
b) James 1:13 answers: “When under trial, let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.” So God is never the source of the wickedness you see in the world around you. Also, Job 34:10 says "10 Therefore, YOU men of heart, listen to me. Far be it from the [true] God to act wickedly, And the Almighty to act unjustly! 11 For [according to] the way earthling man acts he will reward him, And according to the path of man he will cause it to come upon him. 12 Yes, for a fact, God himself does not act wickedly, And the Almighty himself does not pervert judgment.
*** Bible Citations ***
(James 1:13) When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.
(Job 34:10-12) Therefore, YOU men of heart, listen to me. Far be it from the [true] God to act wickedly, And the Almighty to act unjustly! 11 For [according to] the way earthling man acts he will reward him, And according to the path of man he will cause it to come upon him. 12 Yes, for a fact, God himself does not act wickedly, And the Almighty himself does not pervert judgment.
