Creationism vs. Evolution

I don't see any contradiction in Romans at all. GOD is in ultimate control, but allows the bad we see today because of the issue that was raised in Eden.

It was not GOD's power or Love that was called into question there, but, his right to rule. Satan very slighly implied that GOD was withholding something from her and Adam and then lied in telling her she would not die if she disobeyed. Adam later joined her in what amounts to a rebellion against GOD's rule. What options were there?

1. Wipe the three rebels out and start again. - GOD certainly had the power to do this but this would not have answered the question that was raised of whether his way of ruling was right or not. Keep in mind, that if you believe the Bible, these three were not the only ones looking on. There were angels present as well and there might have been some that would be left wondering whether the rebels were right.

2. Do nothing. - Then GOD is a liar because he indicated (as he had the right to as the creator) the penalty for disobedience was death.

3. Allow time for the rebels claims to be proven either true or false. Essentially taking a step back and allowing humans "enough rope to hang themselves". Not totally hands off since he would make sure that what happened would be related to the offspring of Adam and Eve as well as what he would do to redeem mankind and fulfill his purpose. This of necessity would mean allowing the instigator of the rebellion (Satan) to continue for a time as well.

Option 3 allows for us (humans) to be here without sacrificing justice where Adam and Eve were concerned. The resurrection is there for those that would die before the time GOD would step in again fully in earth's affairs. The time between Adam and Eve and now has allowed mankind to make their case that they did not need GOD.

Once GOD has decided that enough evidence has been "presented" he will act by abyssing Satan for 1000 years, resurrecting the dead and teaching them. Then Satan is let loose for a short time and some will still follow him. Those that do, along with Satan and the angels that joined him in his rebellion, will be destroyed. From that time on, anyone that calls into question GOD's right to rule can be judged immediately based on the precedent already set.

That is the Cliff's notes Cliff's notes version, but it hits the high points. In essence, there is a big difference between causing something bad to happen and allowing it to happen. For example, if you have a young adult child that makes a decision to lead a life of crime you might point out the consequences of such a life, but they are an adult and have free will. What they do is their choice and they will have to learn for themselves. In that situation a parent is not responsible for their child's acts.

 

In your freedom in this country, you can go buy a gun and wrongly kill someone. Now what you did is completely wrong and against the law and you will be punished for doing so. Are you saying people should be treated the same even if they do something terrible?

And since he is all knowing, of course he knows.

 

So.........

Did man create religion or did God ?

 

Statement stands either way.

 

Exactly my point

How is it that God told the Muslims and the Hindus and the Buddists and the Taoists something else ?

 

The government thing is a red herring in this discussion. Is government God?

So God knows, before you're born, whether you'll be allowed entrance into Heaven or Hell? So He purposefully creates people of which he will torment for eternity, for not following His word, even though he knows they won't follow His word?

 

In my opinion, He didn't. Someone else did.

 

The answer is Deism. Duh....

 

Somebody else named God

 

This would be an extreme version of the Calvinist side of the prior argument. I dunno if you read that earlier Cody but I did my best to explain it.

 

he probably doesn't know what color car you choose to drive

 

you answered your question correctly IMHO

 

So man interprets what he understands to be God's word and creates his various religions around the globe

How can it be possible that the Bible God is the only correct version ?

 

Just probing the mind of others in this thread ... That seem to disappear from the follow up
Thanks for sticking with the discussions

So He is not all knowing, but will judge you on everything you've ever done?

 

really?

to be clear...

your perspective is...
someone who has not read a science book, math book, newspaper...etc...

could have a better understanding of it, than one who has read it.

 

Christianity is not a religion. we have been through this before.

 

No, my perspective is.. if you recognize a book as fact, and some of those facts are obviously fiction then I wouldn't need to read the book at all to realize I understand it better than you.

 

it's doubtful man will be judged on the car he drives...or his choice in salad dressing.

 

Have you not read the definition of religion?