Job and Chaos; It's okay to question God

[Muffled]

Reading through Job and the chaos

So I'm including a link to a podcast and article that I made about Job, for those who want to more in depth look at the subject. But my basic argument is that most people misunderstand the book of Job because they only focus on a very small part of it. They focus on the beginning and end, but never get into the heart of the matter. But the beginning and end, the traditional story we see about Job, is really what the book of Job is arguing against.

The basic message of Job is two fold. First, unlike what conventional wisdom said at that time, suffering sometimes simply happens. Good people can suffer and experience evil, and it has nothing to do with anything wrong they did.

Second, it's okay to question and challenge God. We may not always get the answer we want, but we can still question.

I believe one may ask about something one does not understand but never question God's wisdom.

I like the depiction in the TV series "Joan of Arcadia." When asked for more information God walks away and gives her a hand wave. He only tells us what we need to know.

 

[Muffled]

Abraham didn't take god at his word without question. He wanted to save the innocent people in Saddam so he disagree with god killing everyone in sight and just kill the "bad guys." His lord listened after a couple tries. That makes me think....

I believe God had that all planned out. He already knew what Abraham would be concerned about and acted according to a plan that took that into account. Otherwise Lot and family would have been crispy crittered because there were not 10 righteous people in those three cities.

 

[Muffled]

'Who am I to question God?' is the one conclusion to draw from reading Job. God goes to great lenghts to get that point across.

I believe He may not have told Job but He told the author of the book because the answer is in the dialogue with Satan.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I believe God had that all planned out. He already knew what Abraham would be concerned about and acted according to a plan that took that into account. Otherwise Lot and family would have been crispy crittered because there were not 10 righteous people in those three cities.

Let me ask. Why would it make a difference?

 

[Muffled]

Let me ask. Why would it make a difference?

I believe Abraham cared about his brother.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I believe Abraham cared about his brother.

But why would it make a difference if god knew or didn't know?

From the story line it seems god didn't know. He had a plan to go through with it and (assuming) because of his love for Abraham, he changed his mind.

Why can't god change his mind for the good of his believers?