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Is everything God does, by definition good, because He is God, or because He only does good things?
For example.
Suppose it was determined that God tortures kittens for all eternity.
Would this mean that is a good thing for God to do?
Is it impossible, due to our finite nature, (and God's ways being higher than our's), for us to see the good that comes out of God torturing kittens for all eternity?
Or would this mean that God is not good, because He tortures kittens for all eternity?
Is everything God does, by definition good, because He is God, or because He only does good things?
For example.
Suppose it was determined that God tortures kittens for all eternity.
Would this mean that is a good thing for God to do?
Is it impossible, due to our finite nature, (and God's ways being higher than our's), for us to see the good that comes out of God torturing kittens for all eternity?
Or would this mean that God is not good, because He tortures kittens for all eternity?
Does might make right?
Or does might do right?
Have you ever read the OT?
Isaiah 45:7 is one example.
The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity;
I am the Lord who does all these.
God is in charge and He makes the rules. Your example is a Strawman. Nowhere does the Bible mention God torturing kittens. He does, OTOH, condem people who reject Him to a bad place. A place where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth-due to mental anguish-realizing their mistake. And they stay there forever according to the Bible.
Daniel 12:2 says; Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
If you don't like the God of the Bible then go worship another one. There are plenty to chose from or you can just make up your own. One that doesn't send any to hell will do.
The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity;
I am the Lord who does all these.
God is in charge and He makes the rules. Your example is a Strawman. Nowhere does the Bible mention God torturing kittens. He does, OTOH, condem people who reject Him to a bad place. A place where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth-due to mental anguish-realizing their mistake. And they stay there forever according to the Bible.
Daniel 12:2 says; Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
If you don't like the God of the Bible then go worship another one. There are plenty to chose from or you can just make up your own. One that doesn't send any to hell will do.
Romans 9
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Yea and it is written that He created vessels for honor and others for dishonor. Some even for distruction. Sorry, but God ani't all nicey-nice.
The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating calamity;
I am the Lord who does all these.
God is in charge and He makes the rules. Your example is a Strawman. Nowhere does the Bible mention God torturing kittens. He does, OTOH, condem people who reject Him to a bad place. A place where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth-due to mental anguish-realizing their mistake. And they stay there forever according to the Bible.
Daniel 12:2 says; Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
If you don't like the God of the Bible then go worship another one. There are plenty to chose from or you can just make up your own. One that doesn't send any to hell will do.
Hi Mr5150,
God creating evil (Isaiah 45:7) is not really what I was meaning in the OP, because it can be argued that God can create a temporary evil to create a greater good - a greater good that would not have been possible without the temporary evil. Also the evil does not carry on eternally.
That is why I gave a hypothetical example of torturing kittens forever. Its not a straw man - its a hypothetical. I was thinking of some action that has absolutely no redeeming value, no possible good could come of it. Torturing kittens seemed a good example.
Is it possible for us to say that God torturing kittens forever would be a bad thing, or by definition must it be a good thing simply because God is doing it (assuming God actually did do that).
Is it even possible for us to determine independently whether torturing kittens forever would be evil (obviously I think yes).
(Obviously I don't believe God tortures kittens forever, neither do I think anyone else believes this)
This was the topic I was hoping to cover... not the God creating evil topic.
yes everything he does is good. life truth and love.
sin sickness and death he did not create.
hell is separation from god.
when we hurt small children and small animals that is what happens.
Is everything God does, by definition good, because He is God, or because He only does good things?
For example.
Suppose it was determined that God tortures kittens for all eternity.
Would this mean that is a good thing for God to do?
Is it impossible, due to our finite nature, (and God's ways being higher than our's), for us to see the good that comes out of God torturing kittens for all eternity?
Or would this mean that God is not good, because He tortures kittens for all eternity?
Does might make right?
Or does might do right?
Yes. If God does it, it's good. He is the author of morality.
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