An Age Old Question

An age old question

By Daniel M. Bryant

I read something that someone posted on Facebook recently that read as follows: “If God exists yet He cannot protect children from being sexually molested in His own place of worship, then what good is He?”

There are several reasons why someone would ask that question. They may actually want to know, which is reasonable. They may just want to justify their own unbelief, or they might just be the kind of person that enjoys arguing. If you fall into either of the second two categories, there really isn’t much reason for you to waste your time reading any further. If you really want to know, carry on.

It sounds like a reasonable question on the surface. That same question, formed in different ways has been asked countless times down through the ages. Another way of expressing the same sentiment would be, “Why doesn't God do something about the evil that exists in the world?' No one in their right mind would argue that molesting children is not evil. It is reprehensible, and when we hear of things like this being done, it stirs up a sense of rage in us. And it should. However, the fact that this type of question is asked also poses some other questions that need to be answered. If you are looking for a quick, five word, sound bite answer, well I am afraid I don't have that. If you really want to know, I will share some thoughts, but it will take time. The thing about real life is that there are no quick, five second, sound bite answers to any deep questions. To understand truth, we have to think through some hard things, and it requires effort.

The first thing I thought when I read that quote was, “What makes you ask that?” Obviously, there

Imprint

Publisher: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Publication Date: 11-30-2016
ISBN: 978-3-7396-8578-6

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
This book is dedicated to the love of my life, my sweet wife, Peggy Bryant