If God is love, how can He permit such tragedy in the world? Is He judging us for sin?
These questions and many others fill the minds of both Christians and non-Christians. How can we understand the nature of God as it relates to the realities of suffering we see in the world?
My desire to answer questions was born out of watching well known Christian leaders on TV as they were interviewed about tragedies and disasters. To my amazement, they could not explain “why God allowed bad things to happen.” The opportunity to reach millions of people with the revelation of God’s character, nature and love was lost. The usual ‘answers’ that I heard would always include the well-worn phrase, “God has everything under control.”
Without realizing it, these leaders were blaming God for the suffering of millions around the world. If a self-destructing world is an example of God’s “control,” then why should we expect the lost to believe in this Christian God?
Learning to answer these kinds of questions and many others became the focus of my teaching ministry. People have questions, and frequently these questions are left unanswered in our churches and ministries.
During my first 3 years of employment at Andrew Wommack Ministries, I was given the opportunity to answer questions that were sent in from around the world in response to Andrew’s TV and radio broadcasts. As time went by I realized that most people have the same basic questions.
When I began teaching at Charis Bible College, I was given the opportunity to develop some new courses. I immediately decided to create a course entitled Answers to Important Questions. Answers to Important Questions is now a 2nd year course that is taught during 2 terms. Some of the questions covered in the course are included in this booklet. These questions are some of the most frequently asked.
My answers may not be satisfactory for all, and in some cases can be considered as suggestions to ponder. More could certainly be written about each topic, but my hope is that the information contained within will be helpful to the reader. God has answers to our questions and the more we get to know Him, the more His Truth will dispel our doubts and our faith in our loving Father will grow.
Barry Bennett