Is God Good?

Kinetic type animation that briefly explores the nagging question, "If God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there evil in the world?" Thanks to Cornelie (VO) and Tim Gale (Audio).

[alexmathewmendoza]

At first as an atheist I enjoyed the thought of no consequences and living free from the idea of god. That atheistic worldview however began to close its teeth on me as I descended into nihilism and absurdism, feeling very hopeless. I began to watch videos searching for meaning in life and the words of Ravi Zacharias awakened me to realize God had taken me through darkness to show me what light is. I realized my atheistic views didn't work and I came to accept God for who He is.

[Keyfer]

I believe that God is good and that we can be too, if we choose to be, God will help us.

[Zangomatic]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I've had many discussions with my reformed brothers! I grew up reformed, I attend a reformed church, and have lots of reformed friends.

"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity."

[Zangomatic]

The Christian worldview provides powerful motivation to explore science, art, literature, critical thought, sports, music, etc... with excellence and enthusiasm. Far from considering it a "waste, " we deeply ENJOY giving generously to the hungry, orphaned, and underprivileged, singing passionately, reading the Bible, joining hearts together in worship, etc.

And we have a logical basis for morality, meaning, forgiveness, and hope.

Atheism lacks these.

So where's the 'waste?'

[ShouVertica]

"I define god as such. So he cannot be anything other than such."

Great, show us your sufficient justification for god being defined as such.

[papersock]

An all powerful God is ultimately responsible for everything. People could have been given free choice, but also created to be smart enough to know not to make bad choices, and how to avoid them.

[Zangomatic]

re: "Everything wasn't made in 7 days so far as we can tell from geology, astronomy, and biology." Agreed.

[Zangomatic]

re: "I simply can't buy into that"

Then what worldview have you bought into?

[Zangomatic]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I'd never heard that particular quote from Darwin - Excellent.

He was a brilliant man.

[Zangomatic]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
re: "He loves me so much, he'll sentence me to suffer for eternity if I don't love him back."

JUSTICE: If someone commits a crime, and a judge sentences him - is the judge doing something wrong? No. On the contrary, if a judge ignores a crime (ie, the murder of your best friend) we would call this an injustice. Similarly, God judges our sin.

LOVE: But he also serves our sentence for us.

CHOICE: Your sentence will be served by someone - you or Jesus Christ.

[ChristianKid]

Great video! It really addresses the question and answers it perfectly!

[Zangomatic]

I saw an interesting quote the other day...

"To try to explain truth to him who loves it not is but to give him more plentiful material for misinterpretation." - George MacDonald

[LuckyNorwegian]

And how would you explain tsunamis, earthqaukes and disease?

[michaelgray]

If God will put an end to suffering and evil, then given your assertions that for us to be free God had to allow suffering, are you saying he will put an end to freedom?  If so, what was the point of the _temporary_ freedom?

[Zangomatic]

I appreciate your thoughtfulness and honesty, kabes.

[danieltrottier]

God gave us freedom so we can allow others to suffer....really..sign me up for something better please.

[hcheyne]

God wanted humans to be free. So he did the only logically possible thing and killed the omnipotent, omnipresent deity that makes free will logically impossible. Himself.

[Zangomatic]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention! Would you point out just a few of them for me?

Thanks.

[sixinchesfromfate]

If God created ALL, didn't he create the conditions and mechanics of logic? If God created the conditions and mechanics of logic, how can it be that God's will is limited by logic? Isn't logic the rock so heavy that God can't lift it?

[TheLostArchangel]

but did He actually give us freedom now? Are the 'choices' we make truly free at all? After all if placed in the exact same situation twice would we not make the same choice again? And are de we then truly able to make the other choice?

Plus, not all 'evil' is created by mankind - why does God not prevent, say, disease, natural diseasters, starvation, ect?