Raise the Dead

 Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People: Part 5

The Sovereignty myth not only affects the way we view God, but it also affects how we function as his body. 

We believe God “can heal” if he really wants to, then spend our time on prayer chains or whatever other waste of time church practice.  We try to twist God’s arm into taking action on the earth.  We organize meetings to call down heaven, as if our numbers or desperation would move God’s heart.

Don’t lie – you’ve done it.  It makes sense.  Clearly if God can do anything and He currently isn’t doing what we know is good, then we must really “press in” and change His heart until He concedes that this particular healing, revival, or whatever is worthy of His power.  Right?

We would never word it that way in church, but isn’t that what’s really happening?

If there is a sick person in front of you, and you prayed an “if it be thy will” prayer, but they are still sick, then…well, it must be God’s will.  

Remember that New Testament verse where Jesus said, “Go to a sick person and ask me to heal them”?  Me neither.  It sounded more like, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils” almost like men had authority.  That Jesus, always talking crazy…

The Sovereign God Kills Babies

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People: Part 4

This doctrine warps our view of God.  It makes him seem like a cold being that sits on a throne indifferent to the problems of earth.  After all, how can God really feel our pain if He is the one who caused it – right?

The Sovereign God kills babies, rapes little boys, murders people in mass, elevates radical dictators and everything in between all for his mysterious and glorious purpose.  

If you truly believe in a view of Sovereignty you need to be consistent and go all the way over to Calvinism - Reformed Theology.  Most people want to have their cake and eat it too on this topic; they want a completely “Sovereign God” that somehow allows for some form of free will.   The only way that can make sense is…well, to just not think about it.

I think the reason people get so upset about my challenging this doctrine is that they feel:  1. It diminishes God.  2. They already believe something else and change is difficult.  3.  They belong to a group that believes in Sovereignty. 

1.       Does it really?  Think about that one.  Just because Sovereignty sounds like a big and glorious term to describe God, I don’t believe it does.  I believe God created an entire realm for us and gave us the keys.  We locked ourselves in and unleashed some bad stuff.  I think God spent 2,000 years desperately trying to get back in to save his kids; and He did it.  That is pretty glorious to me.

2.       Change can always be difficult.  I would much rather go through life pursuing what is truth rather than what is common place.  Just because my doctrine requires change, don’t let your flesh dismiss it.

3.       Who cares?  Your group is wrong.  Most groups are.



PART 5