This is a really good question. Nature is very violent. I, for one, have no answer. But I am interested in what others have to say.From the microscopic to the gigantic, it seems that most all life forms created have either existed as predator or prey. Predators kill prey violently; with mammals, there is much blood and gore. Why did God create such a violent world?
God didn’t create a violent world, we did. We upset the natural order in which we were Created by thinking we knew better.From the microscopic to the gigantic, it seems that most all life forms created have either existed as predator or prey. Predators kill prey violently; with mammals, there is much blood and gore. Why did God create such a violent world?
Was God bored? He could have created a non-violent world. One like “Heaven”. Why did He choose to make it violent? Why would He have given us (free will), Him all powerful, all knowing (omnipotent, omniscient, etc.), he would have known we’d screw it up. And don’t forget all of those life forms that predated humans, they’ve been doing violence for several billions of years.
That doesn’t seem to be the mark of a loving God.
What about all of the life forms we know existed (T-Rex and his like slaughtered fellow reptiles whereever they could find them). They weren’t veggie’s. They were meat-eaters. They have central nervous systems so we know they felt pain; just like a mouse feels when a snake devours him. Why would God make a creation like that? It’s almost ghoulish…:grouphug:
I think that God did create a non-violent world. But, as usual, man has a tendency to screw things up. I am no expert, but I believe God has given us a free will so that our love for Him and for eachother is just that: free. He could have willed us to love Him. He could have created us with no choice but to love Him. That, however, would not have been the purest of loves. It could probably be argued that it wouldn’t have been love at all. Instead, God gave us free will. In doing so, the love He receives from us is pure and true. We love God because we desire to love Him, not because He makes us love Him. I think that is the kind of love God…well…loves.Was God bored? He could have created a non-violent world. One like “Heaven”. Why did He choose to make it violent? Why would He have given us (free will), Him all powerful, all knowing (omnipotent, omniscient, etc.), he would have known we’d screw it up. And don’t forget all of those life forms that predated humans, they’ve been doing violence for several billions of years.
I don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s how I’ve looked at it.But this doesn’t explain nature - the animal kingdom for example. And neither does the Fall - animals didn’t have anything to do with it, so why would they suddenly be predator and prey. And then there is the fact that the planet itself is violent - earthquakes, volcanoes, etc. Nature is often beautiful but can be very deadly.I think that God did create a non-violent world. But, as usual, man has a tendency to screw things up. I am no expert, but I believe God has given us a free will so that our love for Him and for eachother is just that: free. He could have willed us to love Him. He could have created us with no choice but to love Him. That, however, would not have been the purest of loves. It could probably be argued that it wouldn’t have been love at all. Instead, God gave us free will. In doing so, the love He receives from us is pure and true. We love God because we desire to love Him, not because He makes us love Him. I think that is the kind of love God…well…loves.
Peace!
They are good questions, and I wish I had the answers. I suppose it is part of the mystery of God. A previous poster mentioned the beginning of Genesis 9. It does explain a bit about the animals and how their role seemed to change after the fall. How do the dinosaurs play into that? I have no idea.
Good questions…and lots of them.Was God bored? He could have created a non-violent world. One like “Heaven”. Why did He choose to make it violent? Why would He have given us (free will), Him all powerful, all knowing (omnipotent, omniscient, etc.), he would have known we’d screw it up. And don’t forget all of those life forms that predated humans, they’ve been doing violence for several billions of years.
But man is a late new-comer to earth. Civilized human’s can only be traced back six or seven-thousand years. What about all of the violent predators & prey that predate man and have existed for several billions of years? What would God’s rationale have been for creating such a violent order?
- We don’t know for certain that certain lifeforms predated humans… Animals were made for humans.
- …As far as T-rexs eating meat, do we know for certain they they didn’t eat carrion?
- Free will in an interesting concept; without it, we’re merely robots, God’s playthings. Would it be the mark of a loving God to deny us free-will. The answers would seem to be the “system” he set up for our redemption and eternal life.
If you were the prey, not the predator, and you find yourself suddenly being devoured by the jaws of 1,000 piranas in an Amazon lake, what other well-defined term would you use?
Hi homeloan! Like I said, I really don’t know. Thankfully, I’m not bothered by my lack of knowledge here. So much about God is far beyond our capability to comprehend, the Cross being a fine example. I believe God created this world, I also believe we may not understand the history of things quite as well as we’d like to think we do. I believe it’s God’s doing. How and why is something no one can answer. No one, I suppose, but God.
No disrespect, but this is the type of answer clergy of all faiths brandish. In my previous Fundamentalist faith, it wasn’t uncommon for clergy and others to suggest it was a SIN to even bring up questions like these.
I appreciate your perspective, Kolbe. Struggles with faith are part of life. As we enter into the most Holy Week, yesterday’s Gospel tells of Jesus’ agony of faith in asking if perhaps the cup (his passion) could be passed.