Common Objections to Christianity:
A Good God Would Not Allow Bad Things to Happen To Good People.
The movie, An America Crime it a story of the brutal murder of Sylvia Likens in 1965 over something she said.
When I was eight years old, I would have argued that a person would not kill another person in that matter for that reason, people are not that cruel. Because many people have my former mind set, many criminals go free.
However with the invention of video recordings, we know that humans are often very cruel to other humans.
During the murder trial, Gertrude Baniszewski, one of the persons accused of killing Likens, looked into the eyes of the prosecuting attorney and denied that she had anything to do with Sylvia death. However, there was too much evidence, and she was convicted of first-degree murder.
Because most of us would never think of doing such things, we find it hard to believe that a group of people would behave in that matter. But they do, and they do it all the time.
So why does God allow humans to commit heinous crimes against another human being.
I do not have the answer, but I know how the facts of stories like this one have change how I respond to the many Bible verses that state individuals that deliberately commit crimes against another person will be sent to an uncomfortable location for eternity.
I know when Gertrude Baniszewski faces God, all the lies, false facts, and tears will not convince God of her innocence. He has a master video recording and will hold her accountable for her actions. We walk on this earth less than 130 year and them we face the judgement and the perfect courtroom of God.
I want to make it clear that any person that accepts and follows Jesus Christ is forgiven of their sins according to the Bible. The only way to follow Jesus Christ is to stop committing sin and do what is right in God’s eyes.
Here’s just a sample of verses address the subject.
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46 NIV)
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7: 18-20 NIV.)
A Good God Would Never Send a Person to Hell.
Many times I heard the statement, “A loving God would never send anyone to hell”. The real question is, “What else could God do with individuals that do whatever feels good?”
Should God leave them alone and allow then to hurt others. Should God stand over them with a rod and hit them every time they do sometime wrong, which would be like living in hell.
Base on my life experiences, I believe God wants all people to accept that He is God and live in heaven. However, allowing individuals that do not care how their actions might hurt others and themselves in heaven will result in one of two possibilities outcomes.
The first outcome, God would have to constantly monitor humans’ actions, and have a legal system to punish those who hurt others. God would spend all his time being a judge.
The second outcome, heaven would look exactly like this Earth. People living in fear and children starving and rapid inequality.
The end result would be the same for both outcomes, none of the promises outlined in the Bible concerning heaven would materialize. See Revelation 21:4
How Could a Good God Send People To Hell That Have Never Heard Of Jesus Christ?
Because God is just and honest, I am confident that every person will have the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord. In fact the Bible states,
“The man who is not on my side is against me, and the man who does not gather with me is really scattering. That is why I tell you that men may be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit cannot be forgiven. A man may say a word against the Son of Man and be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven either in this world or in the world to come!” (Matthew 12:30-32 PHILLIPS)
The only way a person could speak badly about the Spirit is if they know the spirit exist.
According to 1 Corinthians 2:10 (KJV), “But God hath revealed them [God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
Base on the job description the Bible gives of the Holy Spirit; the Spirit purpose is to illuminate Jesus Christ to humans. Therefore, only individuals that have heard and rejected Jesus Christ could be subject to eternal punishment.
I am confident that only individuals who have had the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and rejected his Lordship, because they think they know what is best, will be vanish from heaven. As a consequence of being vanish from heaven, the only place for them to spend eternity will be hell.
In addition, the Bible explains how some individuals hear of Jesus Christ, “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” (1 Peter 3:19 KJV)
There are many verses that imply that all humans will have the opportunity to accept or reject Jesus Christ. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” (Acts 10:34)