The Book of Job

[nydas]

Being God does not excuse you from being morally wrong in thought or action. God basically took a bet that he knew would kill innocents and harm a human being just to prove a point. I can tell you right now If God were real I doubt God would stiffle to such a level as to allow pain to be inflicted upon a person knowingly and accept this pain as a mean to an end. Even us lowly humans know that allowing such things to happen is wrong even if you gain a knowing of God, the end does not justify the means.

If this story is to be true, then how can Gods actions be justified?

 

[Fidelis]

If this story is to be true, then how can Gods actions be justified?

Sorry, I don’t have that problem as, with the majority of scholars, I believe this story is more of a parabolic book of wisdom poetry rather than history…

See here:
catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9310otg.asp

I know that’s not what you were asking, but it’s good to get that point out of the way.

 

[Dale_M]

Even us lowly humans know that allowing such things to happen is wrong even if you gain a knowing of God, the end does not justify the means.

If this story is to be true, then how can Gods actions be justified?

The book of Job (40:6-14) states that we, as humans, can not question God’s actions. God’s providence surpasses human understanding.

In its raw form, you might find that unappealing - certainly it is humbling. The article mentioned by Fidelis does provide an interpretation:

Job’s question remains unanswered. He does not discover the reason why innocent people suffer. The furthest he gets is to realize that suffering is part of God’s plan, that it has to be accepted as long as it lasts, and that God does not abandon the sufferer. In this connection it raises other basic points which later revelation – especially that of the New Testament–will be more specific about: (a) suffering tests the genuineness of a person’s virtue; (b) it protects him from pride and makes him more humble; (c) when suffering comes a person’s way he should abandon himself completely into God’s hands.

The entire book opens up a new perspective, that of the reward which awaits, in heaven, those who do God’s will on earth. Job’s suffering, the suffering of a just man who bears it patiently and continues to seek mercy and forgiveness, acquires its fullest meaning in the New Testament. Thus, this text of St. Paul provides an answer to Job’s complaints: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18).

 

[Neo_Canaan]

Being God does not excuse you from being morally wrong in thought or action. God basically took a bet that he knew would kill innocents and harm a human being just to prove a point. I can tell you right now If God were real I doubt God would stiffle to such a level as to allow pain to be inflicted upon a person knowingly and accept this pain as a mean to an end. Even us lowly humans know that allowing such things to happen is wrong even if you gain a knowing of God, the end does not justify the means.

If this story is to be true, then how can Gods actions be justified?

Me and my family went through a lot of grief thru the years, so we must’ve been descended from Job.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Well, considering that God was the one who created those ‘innocents’, I certainly don’t think that He was unfair.

We none of us ‘ask’ to be born. And once we are born, we really don’t have all that much say in our lives. Not only that, we ALL have to die.

Since God is only good, then for us, dying must be good, and sure enough, it is. . .we cannot after all enter heaven without dying now can we? Even though originally we were not ‘meant’ to die, looks like God was watching out for us, as even though we can never DESERVE Heaven, He not only has made it so that we don’t ‘cease to exist’ in our souls, but He sent His only-begotten Son to give HIS life for US. Wow, talk about somebody who is all goodness and love!

And since God obviously cares about every single one of us, how can you assume that the ‘death of innocents’ did not result in good for those innocents? Things on earth are just THINGS. Sure we may have a ‘great’ life on earth with plenty of things, good health, etc. --what does it matter if we do nothing for God and others? We all know about what happened to the rich man–a man who apparently never did all that much bad–but sure didn’t do any GOOD when he had the opportunity!! And others may have a ‘poor’ life with sadness, famine, and pain. . .but if they love God and try to do His will they will have eternal glory. Like Lazaras. . .

I don’t know about you but speaking for myself, I don’t really appreciate the ‘good things’ I have so much until they are not there anymore, or if there’s some doubt or danger. IOW, I don’t appreciate things much UNTIL I START SUFFERING.

So right there, suffering is a good ‘wake-up’ call. Also, once I have suffered with something, I tend to have more sympathy for other sufferers. I am less involved with my own ‘self’ and more concerned for others.

These are valid points to consider. . .