Is it okay to argue with God?

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One of my favourite passages of Scripture is Genesis 18. There, we see Abraham arguing with God’s stated intention, because Abraham believes that God’s plan is wrong. We see the same thing in Exodus 32, with Moses and God; similary, in Zechariah 1, an angel challenges God’s action.

The Genesis passage was read at an interfaith conference (Jewish-Christian-Muslim), to discuss the importance of Abraham in all three faiths.

Afterwards, I asked the imam whether he thought that it was okay to argue with God as Abraham did, especially considering the general Muslim attitude to the absolute transcendence of Allah. He replied that, in the Qu’ran, the story is a little different: Allah says, “Do not worry; I have it all under control”, and Abraham does not argue.

I also asked the rabbi whether he thought that it was okay to argue with God. He replied, “Of course!”

What do you think?
 
Mystophilus said:
One of my favourite passages of Scripture is Genesis 18. There, we see Abraham arguing with God’s stated intention, because Abraham believes that God’s plan is wrong. We see the same thing in Exodus 32, with Moses and God; similary, in Zechariah 1, an angel challenges God’s action.

The Genesis passage was read at an interfaith conference (Jewish-Christian-Muslim), to discuss the importance of Abraham in all three faiths.

Afterwards, I asked the imam whether he thought that it was okay to argue with God as Abraham did, especially considering the general Muslim attitude to the absolute transcendence of Allah. He replied that, in the Qu’ran, the story is a little different: Allah says, “Do not worry; I have it all under control”, and Abraham does not argue.

I also asked the rabbi whether he thought that it was okay to argue with God. He replied, “Of course!”

What do you think?
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I don’t see why not - Job did, yet he also had great faith in Him​

 
There have been times when I have not necessarily ‘argued’ with God, but have found, at times of deep grief in my life…asking…‘why,’ or ‘where were You when this was happening?’ I have often found that in it all, God was wrapping His arms around me…whispering…‘Be not afraid.’ I think when we argue with God, for lack of a better phrase, we are sometimes saying without using words perhaps…‘I don’t trust your plan here.’ God’s plan is always the best plan. I have learned that, in some cases, the very hard way. I think, also, that we can argue against God, even without using words. When we defy the Gospel, or go against the Commandments, we are in essence saying…‘I know better than You, Lord.’ (even if we do this not fully knowing what we are doing)

I am grateful to God that He has had such incredible patience with me in my life…to wait out my stubborn phases…and now, I live life surrendering more to God, and questioning less. And, there is nothing more beautiful than letting go, and letting God.
 
If you choose to argue with God, at least expect the answer God gave to Job and his comforters – read the last few chapters of Job.
 
I went through a stage where all I did was argue with God. I was hopping mad. You know what? He’s God. He can take it. He can not only take it, but bring good out of it.
 
Daniel_Marsh said:
If you choose to argue with God, at least expect the answer God gave to Job and his comforters – read the last few chapters of Job.
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And wasn’t Jacob also made lame for wrestling with - well, God’s messenger if not Himself 😉 Small price to pay for being the father of God’s chosen people I guess 😃
 
Mystophilus said:
…
I also asked the rabbi whether he thought that it was okay to argue with God. He replied, “Of course!”

What do you think?
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One day, during services at Yom Kippur, the Rabbi noticed that Mel wasn’t in services. This was strange because Mel had not missed a Yom Kippur service in 35 years. So afterwards, the Rabbi stopped over Mel’s house to see if everything was alright. He found Mel sitting at the kitchen table.

“Mel, are you ok? Why weren’t you in services.” Mel looked up and said "I’m sorry Rabbi, I was all ready to leave for shul this morning when for some reason I started to think about all the bad things that are happening in the world and wondering why God let them happen. I got so angry with God when I thought about it that I sat down and made a list of everything bad that He lets happen and demanded that He explain it.

THe rabbi was almost speechless. “And that’s why you didn’t come to shul to pray?? Where is this list”

Mel turned red with embarassment. “After I was done, I felt so ashamed of what I had done that I tore it up and threw it way.”

“You idiot!” yelled the Rabbi. You had Him right where we wanted Him and you let Him get away!

Jews have no problem in arguing with God. And neither should Christians. If you look at some of the psalms, for example, they criticize or demand answers from God.
 
Cute story, Valke2.

I sure hope it’s ok to argue with God, because if not, I’m in trouble.😃
 
When arguing with God, simply check your motives.

Abraham, was trying to save a city from destruction, his motive was not self centered, but was concern for others. Basically, a righteous motive.

Job and his comforters did not see the big picture, and were basically complaining.
 
Argue with God? Sure why not - but then I’ve just finished watching Bruce Almighty on the TV.

“Let all prayers be… yellow sticky notes!” very funny.
 
Gilbert_Keith said:
Argue with God?

I do it all the time.

And He always wins.
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Ain’t that the truth! I only remember one time when I had an out and out temper tantrum at God, and it actually worked. My prayer was answered very quickly. Although I doubt that it was the outburst that caused Him to answer so quickly. I’ve never been tempted to yell at him again like that. I really don’t want to tempt him again like that.
 
Valke2 said:
Jews have no problem in arguing with God. And neither should Christians. If you look at some of the psalms, for example, they criticize or demand answers from God.
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Agreed. And an excellent point by the way. 👍

As Lynn Anderson said in Lee Strobel’s The Case for Faith…
We like to read the upbeat Psalms, but sixty percent of them are laments, with people screaming, ‘God, where are you?’ Normal faith is allowed to beat on God’s chest and complain.
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Hi,

I can just picture God saying–Bring it on!!😃

He always wins anyway:D 👍
 
Valke2 said:
“You idiot!” yelled the Rabbi. You had Him right where we wanted Him and you let Him get away!
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:bowdown2:
That is fan-tastic!

Sometimes, I think that you, our elder brethren, are just a lot more honest about the humanity of faith than we are.
 
Mystophilus said:
:bowdown2:
That is fan-tastic!

Sometimes, I think that you, our elder brethren, are just a lot more honest about the humanity of faith than we are.
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Glad you liked it. IF there is one thing judaism does not have a shortage of, it is stories.
 
Hey Valke2, why don’t you open a thread of inspiring stories?? thx 🙂
 
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