Expert: Dr Don Howe - 5/20/2009

Question
Hi,

I am sure you have come across this question before... Why do bad things happen to good people.

I know that what we perceive to be bad is a result of certain decisions that we make, but why does God allow the repercussions to affect others that don't deserve it in anyway. By that I mean children, particularly young children who do not really know the difference between right and wrong.

I know that God can use these things to make us stronger and all that, but why would he allow a child, say a 2 year old to be abused and then murdered? Why did that child have to suffer like that? Why did God allow it? There was no 'lesson' to learn as the child died.

I became a Christian so many years ago. When I was younger everything seemed so simple. I used to only see things as black and white. As I have grown older I can see more and more grey. For example, we all are responsible for our own choices, but are some of us predisposed to make certain decisions based on previous experiences in our lives?

And what about Pharoahs son? He died because God hardened his fathers heart. Is this fair?

It is really hard for me. I work with foster children and I know of so many parents that have abused or neglected their children, yet they are still loved and adored by their children. I hurts me to say it, but I at times see God just as I do these bad parents. He lets things happen to us that hurts and could do so much to help but doesn't. Yet we still love and adore him. I know really that it is not as simple as this, but the explanation seems close to me.

I have been attending a church that I used to go to many years ago and where I grew up in. It is hard as they do not have a leader and I have so many questions. What is also hard is that I feel I am almost blaspheming to be thinking these sorts of things. I just hope he will forgive me.

I don't want to have these questions. I know that He loves me soooooo much, but I am just really struggling at the moment.

Your thoughts would be very much appreciated. Thanks

Answer
Dean, thank you for your questions. I am sorry that you are struggling right now. There are many issues here that you have brought up. Some these questions are the hardest in theology to understand.
  Dean you asked “Why do bad things happen to good people?” You could also ask “Why do good things happen to bad people?” Both these questions are riddled with New Age rationalization and misunderstanding who God is? Man is not good in the eyes of God. We are sinners in His eyes and that is why He sent Jesus. People say “he was a good father,” “he was a good husband,” “he was a good athlete,” or “he was a good _____ “(and you fill in the blank). But a person may be good in the eyes of man, but will not be good in the eyes of God unless he is saved.  When it comes to being in eternity with Jesus Christ when we die is not based on being good. Dean, remember good people go Hell and born again people go to Heaven. Good people in eyes of man will go to Hell, but born again people who are saved by the blood of the Lamb will go to Heaven (and this is from God eyes). There are not any “good” people. Let’s dig deeper and see what the Bible says. because that the Bible is the standard by what we live by and not the New Age nonsense of man.

  WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?
  
  The biblical answer is there are no “good” people. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that all of us are tainted by and infected with sin.’   
  Eccl. 7:20 states “For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” The word just in Hebrew is tsaddiyq which means lawful, righteous, or to justify oneself. The word good is towb   in the Hebrew which means to do well, do good, act right, or  act rightly. Solomon is saying there is not a righteous man upon earth that acts rightly, and does not sin. There has never been a righteous man on earth that has not sinned, except for Jesus who was God and man.
  Rom. 6:23 states “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “When you work for sin, your wages are death. When we serve God we get no pay - but He freely gives us the best benefit package imaginable” (Guzik).

  1 John 1:8-10 states “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” The great preacher Charles Spurgeon states about this “"Our deceitful heart reveals an almost Satanic shrewdness in self-deception . . . If you say you have no sin you have achieved a fearful success, you have put out your own eyes, and perverted your own reason!" Here is where Humanism lead people astray because this ideology says that man is his own god and does not need a Savior, and humanists are truly deceiving themselves and the truth is not in them.
  To say that we have no sin puts us in a dangerous place, because God’s grace and mercy is extended to sinners. Not to “those who make mistakes” or “I’m only human” or “no one is perfect” people, but sinners. We need to realize the victory and forgiveness that comes from saying, “I am a sinner - even a great sinner - but I have a Savior who cleanses me from all sin.”
  1:9 states “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Though sin is present, it need not remain a hindrance to our relationship with God - we may find complete cleansing (from all unrighteousness) as we confess our sins.
  Because of Jesus’ work, the righteousness of God is our friend - insuring that we will be forgiven, because Jesus paid the penalty of our sin. God is being faithful and just to forgive us in light of Jesus.
  1:10 states “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” If we say we have not sinned or say I am a good person, you are deceiving yourself, and the Word of God is not in you. You are lost or as I said before “good people go to Hell.” Here is the reason why. The Word is not them.

  Romans 3:10-18 states “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet [are] swift to shed blood:  Destruction and misery [are] in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Every human being on this planet deserves to be thrown into hell at this very moment. Every second we spend alive is only by the grace and mercy of God. Even the most terrible misery we could experience on this planet is merciful compared to what we deserve, eternal hell in the lake of fire.

  ANOTHER THOUGHT. Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?

  Romans 5:8 tells us “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The word commendeth in the Greek is synistēmi  means to stand, to establish, or to make firm. So God established his love, synistēmi, for us even while we were sinners, and Christ died in our place for us. Despite the evil, wicked, sinful nature of the people of this world, God still loves us. He loved us enough to die to take the penalty for our sins (Romans 6:23). If we receive Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16; Romans 10:9), we will be forgiven and promised an eternal home in heaven (Romans 8:1). What we deserve is hell. What we are given is eternal life in heaven if we come to Christ in faith. So the one good thing that God allows to happen to bad people is that Jesus died for them also.
  
TURN THE QUESTION AROUND:

  GOD WANTS US TO HAVE FAITH AND A CHOICE. THE CONERSTONE OF THE CHRISTIANITY IS FAITH.
  SOBERING QUESTION:
  What would happen if bad things DIDN'T happen to good people. What if when an airline crashed, only the non-Christians died while all the believers walked away unscathed? What if the moment someone became an atheist, he was immediately struck by lightning and killed? What if every rape, murder, robbery, and painful illness only happened to non-believers? If that were the case, then no faith would be required to be a Christian.

  Additionally, if God wanted automatons who bowed to His will mechanically, He could have made us that way. Instead He chose to give us free will and the ability to choose our own path -- but, without real options, there can't be a real choice. Put another way, a "choice" isn't much of a choice when you have a gun to your head. So again, if bad things DIDN'T happen to good people, there would be very little real choice. If you wanted to live and prosper, you'd have to be a Christian because non-Christians would spend their short, unhappy lives wandering from one disaster to the next.
  Knowing that God wants to allow us to have faith and a choice is often a cold comfort when something terrible happens in the world, to us, or someone we love -- but, it's worth remembering that we Christians believe, "Our days on earth are as transient as a shadow," while what comes afterwards is eternal. Sometimes on this side of eternity, all we can do is realize that we are going to see our share of sorrow, accept that, "God moves in mysterious ways," and keep on keeping on, secure in the knowledge that there is something better to come when this life is over.

  



Dean you asked “why would he allow a child, say a 2 year old to be abused and then murdered? Why did that child have to suffer like that? Why did God allow it? There was no 'lesson' to learn as the child died? This 2 year old that is abuse and murdered is not by God by evil man. God allows sin but He does not cause it. Man caused this sin to occur. It is not your place to be questioning why God allowed  or that to happen, but all you need to do is  make sure you are saved by the blood of the Lamb, read your bible daily, have personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, and worship in power and glory. GOD WILL DEAL WITH THIS MAN WHO ABUSES CHILDREN IN HIS OWN TIME AND HE WILL BE IN A HELL, BUT IF YOU DO NOT STOP QUESTIONING WHY GOD DOES THIS OR THAT YOU ARE EXHIBITING UNBELIEF. IT IS NOT OUR PLACE TO BE QUESTIONING GOD, BUT IT IS OUR PLACE TO ACCEPT JESUS AS OUR SAVIOR.
Because of sin, we were separated from a righteous and Holy God. But God so loved us that He sent Jesus to die in our place so we could be in Heaven with Him. Stop doubting, start shouting to King of Kings and Lord of Lord. Stop questioning, and make sure you will be participating in the GREAT DISAPPEARANCE  WHEN JESUS RAPTURES US OUT OF HERE.
You are wrong when you said “There was no 'lesson' to learn.” Because there is a lesson. Man is totally depraved and sinful, and you are in need of a Savior.

PHARAOH
   You stated  “And what about Pharoahs son? He died because God hardened his fathers heart. Is this fair? Who cares if it is fair? Being fair has nothing to do with it. God gave Pharoah ten chances to change his mind and to let Children of God go, but God used Pharoah to show that He was the one true God of the nation of Israel. Ex. 7:3 states “And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.” It was God’s plan that Pharaoh would be inflexibly stubborn, thus setting scene for God to deliver His people by multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. Pharaoh revealed his heart when he refused the humble request of Moses back in Ex. 5:1-4; now, God will merely strengthen Pharaoh in the evil already chose. God can do the same to us today. In our rebellion, we may reach the place where God will strengthen us in the evil we desire: Therefore God also gave them up to their uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts . . . and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting (Romans 1:24, 28).
So God only strengthened the hardened heart of Pharaoh, but Pharaoh himself caused his heart to be hardened in the first place when Moses asked him in Ex. 5:1-4, to let my people go. Pharaoh showed this in 5:2 which states “And Pharaoh said, Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.”
In Ex. 7:14 states “And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart [is] hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.” Pharaoh is responsible for his own outcome here. God provided all the plagues against Egypt because Pharaoh has hardened his heart against God and His people. In mercy, God warned Pharaoh, but Pharaoh in his hardness of heart disregarded the warning. God gave plenty of warnings to Pharaoh but he would not let Israel go and would not recognize God as the LORD.
In Ex. 12:29-32 tells us about what happened “And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that [was] in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for [there was] not a house where [there was] not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, [and] get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”
God told Moses that Pharaoh would not let them go until he was forced to by God's mighty works (Exodus 3:19-20), and that this work would somehow touch the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 4:21-23). Now the situation unfolds just as God said it would. This plague was directed against two significant Egyptian gods. First, Osiris was the Egyptian god thought to be the giver of life. Second, against the supposed deity of Pharaoh himself, because his own household was touched (the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne).
Dean, here is some history to back up the Exodus. An inscription was found in a shrine connected with the great Sphinx that records a solemn promise from the Egyptian gods vowing that Thutmose IV would succeed his father Amenhotep II - whom many believe to be the pharaoh of the Exodus. Why did they make such a unique, emphatic promise from the gods that something so natural would happen - the eldest son take his father's place as Pharaoh? Undoubtedly, because Thutmose IV was not his father's firstborn son, and the firstborn was struck dead at the first Passover. Therefore, they believed that the second born son needed special protection from the gods and the inscription seeks to provide that.
In Ex.12:32, you will see Pharaoh told Moses to take your flocks, your herds, and go, and “bless me also.” Most interesting. This shows that now, Pharaoh knows who the LORD is, the God who is greater than Pharaoh and whom Pharaoh must seek for blessing. Pharaoh only came to this knowledge through being broken.
So Pharaoh’s own thinking he was a god, refusing to recognize the God of Moses, and his hardened heart toward Israel is what killed his son. Pharaoh killed his own son. God even forewarned Pharaoh that if he did not let Israel go that the firstborn of Egypt would be killed. In Ex. 4:22-23 God is telling Moses what to say to Pharaoh,  “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel [is] my son, [even] my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son (Israel) go, that he (Israel) may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy (Pharaoh’s) son, [even] thy (Pharaoh’s) firstborn.” What is God saying here. God is telling Moses that Israel is the first born of God, and if he does not let go and let Israel serve Him, that He will slay Pharaoh’s first born.
So Pharaoh killed his own son, and he was even forewarned that this would happened. So when Pharaoh’s son died, he was aware of what was going on. He had been forewarned.
   
So Dean, you are wrong  when you said “And what about Pharoahs son? He died because God hardened his fathers heart.” Pharaoh killed his own son because of his unbelief. Pharaoh’s heart was already hardened by his own doing in not letting Israel go and not recognizing God as the LORD. God only strengthened that hardness. And God carried out the forewarning He gave Pharaoh in Ex. 4:22-23.
Dean you go on to state “I work with foster children and I know of so many parents that have abused or neglected their children, yet they are still loved and adored by their children. I hurts me to say it, but I at times see God just as I do these bad parents. He lets things happen to us that hurts and could do so much to help but doesn't.” I have given you the rational and the verses above so this should by answered now.

  NOW FOR THE REAL PROBLEM:

   Dean you stated “I have been attending a church that I used to go to many years ago and where I grew up in. It is hard as they do not have a leader and I have so many questions.” Here is your main problem. You have all these questions and you belong to a church that has no leadership. It maybe even a cult or an apostate church.
  First, get out of this church as fast as you can. Find you a Bible believing, expository preaching, God fearing Baptist Church.
  Second, there is more issues here that are going on then what you have said. You need to find you a good Christian Counselor and get yourself some counseling to get your head on straight. You heart maybe right about some things, but you thinking is wrong.

  My prayers are with you. But find yourself another church ASAP, and get some counseling ASAP.

Blessing,

Dr. Don Howe, RN, PhD, ThD.