Forum Report - The Purpose of Evil and Free Will

[Emmanuel Okpanachi]

I've recently joined the following 'Christian' forums:

http://www.christianforums.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gracecentered.com/christian_forums/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.christianforums.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
forums.carm.org/vbb/forum.php

I've been banned by two of these forums and had my threads deleted from all except one: the forum at CARM. The thread that I've posted there is, at the time of writing, still active.

The thread that I've posted at CARM is the same thread and message that I've posted onto other forums. I don't see any valid reason why it was deleted on those other forums. Perhaps because I made reference to another site (this one); or maybe because they saw the message as a threat to their 'Statement of Beliefs'. It seems to me that anything that doesn't ascribe to their doctrines and ideologies, must be deleted. But I think banning a person because of one message is a bit strict.

Anyway, from the sites which I haven't been banned from here's one of the threads which I've posted in: http://www.gracecentered.com/christian_ ... ill-86069/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. In this thread I got into a discussion with someone, about evil and free will.

As you read through the thread please let me know if there's anything I've said to be incorrect or askew from the Truth.

[Paul Cohen]

Hi Manny,

One fellow on the active forum link you sent us, at gracecentered.com, said this:

4WD: "One who causes evil to happen is evil. That includes God. So if you believe that God is the author of evil, that can only mean that God is evil. That He makes use of another's evil is something else entirely."

So what does 4WD say of the judge who hands down the death sentence to a murderer? Is the judge evil, or is the judge doing good by sending evil the murderer's way?

Yes, men are evil, not God, but He is also in full control and responsible for what happens. Notice that the Lord didn't attribute the following calamity to Pilate, but to God:

"And some were present at the same time reporting to Him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And answering, Jesus said to them, Do you suppose that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such things? I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:1-3 MKJV).

Or do these amateur philosophers believe that those who do evil will be visited with evil by Pilate, even though he's been dead for centuries?

Paul

[Paul Cohen]

I appreciate the following explanation you gave on the forum, Manny, as applied to unregenerate man and God:

"Let me ask you, have you ever done anything good? Surely you've done at least one good thing in your life. Now because of that good thing you've done does that mean you yourself are good? If you think that to be the case, the bible says otherwise:

"'If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!' (Luke 11:13)

"It doesn't say evil is just what we do, but actually what we are! The fact that we sometimes do what is good, does not make us so. Similarly, the fact that God does evil, doesn't make Him so."

[Paul Cohen]

You end the last post on the forum, Manny, by saying:

"You desire to stick to your false notions and reject the truth that is being offered to you. I wish that you would instead turn to truth, and read more writings on that site I gave you. But as you say, you have 'freewill' - so I guess your just making use of what doesn't exist."

People can exercise choice, which is not freewill, because if their choice is governed by sin and darkness, how can they choose good?

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil" (Jeremiah 13:23 ESV).

The fear of God, the beginning of wisdom, is where we realize our choices are invariably wrong and bad. We need God's guidance and grace to escape our destructive leanings and do the right thing.

[Emmanuel Okpanachi]

People can exercise choice, which is not freewill, because if their choice is governed by sin and darkness, how can they choose good?

And it's not that freewill doesn't exist, but that it's only God who possesses it?

Couple more links to forums I've posted at:

http://christianchat.com/bible-discussi ... anity.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://forums.carm.org/vbb/member.php?148129-MannyO" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (Need to be registered to gain access)

I've been banned from yet another forum: http://www.christianforumsite.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. This is the reason they gave:

Christian Forum Site - Error
You have been banned for the following reason: Forum rules do not allow posting of commercial web links with content that demeans other religious beliefs..

Well, at least they gave a reason... unlike the other forums which banned me without explanation.

[Victor Hafichuk]

Manny, like immortality, only God has it but we receive it in Him. So only God has free will but as we come to the stature of the fullness in Christ, we develop free will accordingly.

“Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin. And the slave does not abide in the house forever, but the Son abides forever. Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:34-36 MKJV).

We become one with Him and are as He is in the world - free to do His will.

Read again, http://www.thepathoftruth.com/falsehood ... /index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. It's all there.

[Alan McDougall]

King James Bible
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

That does not mean God is evil it means he allows evil so that a person can choose it or chose goodness , light, love and life

Or a person can?

The other path evil leads to evil death darkness , hate and discord!

God did not want robots but beings , like Him that have a free- will to chose!

Alan

[Victor Hafichuk]

Nobody said God is evil, Alan. Please read our articles carefully, prayerfully, accurately. Ask God's grace to do so.