This is a MODERATED Forum. Your post may have to be approved before it is posted. In order to post a new topic, you must be registered and logged in. The links to register or log in are at the bottom of any page on this website. Although we often allow controversial topics to be posted, we urge you to follow the spirit of Matthew 5:23-25, Matthew 18:15-22, and Ephesians 4:29-32. We reserve the right to remove posts we feel are offensive.
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
| Author |
| |
Messages |
Sort: |
|
goose
Posts:3
|
|
Posted:03/09/2008 9:48 PM |
|
I have been trying to find the right answer on two questions and hopefully a BRCC pastor can answer for me. I have gotten some good answers on these questions but i still feel confused.
1. God was the creator of earth and he controls what happens in earth so if god loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for our sins why are there so many natural disasters that happen on earth for example hurricanes,floods,tornados,etc... don't get me wrong i am true beliver to god but if he loves us so much why does these things happen that the people he loves so much have died due to these natural disaters.
2. My second questions is if there is only ONE god why are there so many different kind of religions? for example christians,catholic,muslim,jehova's witness etc.. If god wrote what is in the bible why do different religions worship a different kind of god?
I hope a Pastor can help me understand these questions please don't get me wrong I do believe in god but I guess you could say I am a little confused.
|
|
stacbug
Posts:10
|
|
Posted:03/19/2008 4:33 PM |
|
I am not a pastor, but understand your questions and maybe I can help some while you are waiting to hear from the pastors...
1. God did create the Earth. There are all sorts of natural disasters/events that happen as a result of the way God made the Earth and how it functions...some of those functions we alter (make worse or more frequent) as a result of our habits of destoying the planet...Most people are killed or injured in these disasters b/c they don't listen to the warnings and stay away from or move out of the path of them. Some people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time (to us), but God knows if those people are saved it is the right time and right place b/c they are getting to leave this place and go to our Heavenly home! Yeah for them! As long as we have sin in this fallen world and the "choice" to do things we want (which God gave us-it is called "free-will")...there will be tragedy, deaths and injuries from things like floods, hurricanes, tornados, etc...we have to be cautious and use the technology we have and pay attention to it, to stay safe if we can. It has nothing to do with God "overlooking" those that die or make something "bad" happen to people. We don't serve a God that kills people. We live in a world that He created in a way that death is certain in one fashion or another, but eternal life is given freely if you choose to accept it before yoru natural death occurs. Plan wisely as to where & how you will live to avoid these things...God gives us all the tools to know when and how earthquakes, tornados, etc will happen- lots of us just don't listen and build homes there anyway...or we build homes that can't withstand the force and power of these things...but we have technology to let us know if we should or should not live in a certain place or if we can build something to w/stand certain powers...questions like this shouldn't consume you and make you confused if you have a true belief in God and His Love and Power...don't get stuck on the small stuff.
2. All the different religions exists for many reasons...most cultures know about God, but lots of them don't and have tried to explain him in their own way and formed all these "other" gods and religions. Some religions are formed b/c they can't believe in a god they can see and touch...they see our God as such..so maybe they start believing in a god that is also an idol so they can see it and touch it and believe it has powers to help them...but if you have read ANY of the old test. in the Bible you know that having an idol or other God is a REALLY BAD thing to do, yet people did it even though they had miracles being performed right in front of them by Moses and many others!!! Today, there are still miracles everyday and people still choose to worship other idols instead of the one true God...it is that whole "free will" thing again that we have been given by God.
Most people don't want to or can agree to serve God in the same way, so they form their own religion or denomination, maybe add some things and interpret some things differently to suit their wants/ needs and to be comfortable.
Denominations is more of what you are asking I think- Cath., Baptist, Meth, Luth., etc...each of those denominations agree there is one God but maybe they were from a different country, region or speak a different language and so they worship different and hold services differently according to where they are from. Not everyone likes to ROCK out in church like BRCC, so they may choose a church that is more subdued or quiet- b/c that is how they like to worship- but we are ALL still worshipping God...as long as we all know that Jesus Christ died for our sins and accept His Holy Spirit into our hearts that is what matters most.
The Bible says there is only one way to God and that is to believe in JESUS CHRIST- the Bible says that is the ONLY way. Not IF you are a member of BRCC or Methodist, etc... All of us, no matter what denomination, should Love one another and be sure that each of us are only worshipping and working for ONE God and believe in Jesus Christ. God doesn't mind if we each have our own ways of holding service or singing, He just wants us to all believe in Jesus Christ..as long as that is true, we should all learn to get along. It's ok that my aunt is Cath. and wants to worship in that way(althought i may love for her to come to my church instead) God is what is her center and mine...who am I to say she is wrong in her practice?
Other religions and denomin. have books that help teach the way they believe, practice and worship...that is ok as long as the Bible is still the main source of info and belief...it is THE TRUTH. The Word of God...
Don't focus on what is "wrong" w/ people that worship or practice religion different than you, you need to focus on becoming Christ like and what church helps you do that the best!
Hope that quenches some of that thirst you are having for God answers...
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
ActiveForums 3.0
|
|