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Bible Q

Why are there natural disasters in a world created by God?

Many people wonder how a loving God could have created a world in which natural disasters occur. What most people do not realize is that such disasters are typically the product of natural systems which most of the time operate for our benefit. To put it one way, natural disasters are the ‘cost’ we ‘pay’ […]

Did God create evil?

To help answer this question it’s important that we define the word ‘evil’. Here are two possible definitions: Sin, wrongdoing or wickedness Calamity; something causing harm, injury or suffering So we could ask two further questions: Did God create immorality, wickedness or sin? No. The Bible is very clear that God is the source of […]

Was the earthquake in Haiti a punishment from God?

Ordinarily, when God punishes a large number of people at once in a specific area he gives plenty of prior warning about it — see, e.g., the warnings in Obadiah about God’s impending judgement on Edom. There was no such prior warning from God about the earthquake in Haiti, therefore we are safe to conclude […]

Why doesn’t God stop suffering?

I think that this is one of the hardest questions we face: if God really is powerful and loving, the way the Bible says, why do such terrible things happen? God will stop all the suffering in the future. See, plucked from a choice of many passages, Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe away every tear […]

Can sickness be a form of discipline from God?

There are some biblical examples which suggest that God does occasionally use sickness to teach us lessons. One is 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. Because of […]

What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?

Paul mentions this in 2 Corinthians 12: So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,  a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should […]