|
|
Post by Josh on Apr 30, 2013 19:44:20 GMT -8
What do you think of the statement "everything happens for a reason" or "nothing happens by accident"?
|
|
|
|
Post by Alex on May 1, 2013 23:09:39 GMT -8
It's easier to say 'everything can serve a purpose' than 'everything does serve a purpose'.
It crashes a little into the free will discussions. If there is a world with free will then it seems there is room for occurences that are random, if purposeful as a chaotic system.
God can place each raindrop as it falls, but he seems to choose to let his creation have its own mechanisms. Yet it can both be argued that purpose exists above the incidental interactions, or that the chaotic systems themselves serve a purpose.
It's worth asking whose purpose. Would it all serve God? Or would the other forces purpose come into play?
|
|
|
|
Post by Alex on May 4, 2013 20:56:30 GMT -8
All the philosophy aside, I think everything happens for a purpose. Even if it's to be left to chance.
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh on May 6, 2013 19:47:14 GMT -8
I agree with your sentiments here.
I disagree with the statement if it means that God directly intends everything that happens. I agree with the statement if it means that God allows everything that happens to happen (good or evil) and then can and will ultimately redeem everything that happens.
|
|
|
|
Post by stevekimes on May 9, 2013 16:47:12 GMT -8
It seems that the source of many people's anger against God is the idea that God has ultimate control over everything, and some things-- the holocaust, a child's death, a miserable life-- is unacceptable to them. It seems the ultimate in blaming.
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Aug 8, 2013 9:18:15 GMT -8
Secondary question: is it ever appropriate to use the phrase "God is in control" then?
|
|
grokit
Intermediate Member
Posts: 50
|
Post by grokit on Aug 14, 2013 19:30:05 GMT -8
If you're saying God is in control of every raindrops placement, then I would say no. If you're saying he's in control of the direction we're going I'd say yes.
When you drive a car you're in control, right? That doesn't mean you're keeping track of every spark plug firing and how much charge the battery is getting. Those are things that can be controlled by a person, but almost never are.
|
|
