Questions of Faith and Doubt
DOES GOD CHANGE?
Scripture describes God as being in a dynamic relationship with creation, especially with humankind. In the course of that relationship, as with any parent and child, God has changed direction...
DOES GOD MAKE MISTAKES?
God doesn't necessarily make mistakes so much as create the kind of world in which we can.
DOES GOD PUNISH US FOR OUR SINS?
I don't imagine God as a cosmic Santa making a list and checking it twice.
HOW CAN A LOVING GOD ALLOW FOR THE HORRIFIC DESTRUCTION OF NATURAL DISASTERS?
This question is probably as old as religion itself. It is a stumbling block for some of us, and for many more at given moments of tragedy.
HOW CAN GOD LOVE US WHEN WE CONSISTENTLY FAIL TO FOLLOW HIS WORD?
God does not love me because I am good, but because God is good.
HOW CAN THE GOD OF JUDGMENT AND PUNISHMENT, AS OFTEN PORTRAYED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, BE RECONCILED WITH THE CONCEPT OF A GOD OF LOVE?
There is always some truth in a stereotype. The sense of God conveyed in the New Testament is more approachable, in general, whereas the God conveyed in the Old Testament is more awesome, in general.
IF JESUS AND GOD ARE THE ESSENCE OF LOVE, WHY DOES THE BIBLE THREATEN US WITH HELL AND DAMNATION?
We have a relationship with Jesus, and we can trust him to correct the errors we will certainly make and help us to grow into him.
WHAT IS HOLINESS?
Holiness is a complex concept. It refers to the essence of God's being, not so much a single attribute but perhaps the sum of all attributes.
WHAT IS MEANT BY THE GRACE OF GOD?
When we speak of God's grace, we mean all the good gifts we enjoy freely in life. There are so many.
WHAT IS THE POWER OF PRAYER?
I believe that the power of prayer is first felt inside of us. It's a sense of God's assent, somewhat like someone answering our phone call....
WHERE DO I FIND GOD IN THIS WORLD OF TRAGEDY AND PAIN?
This is a world of tragedy and pain. It is also a world of joy and fulfillment. It is my conviction that God is present to us in both worlds.
WHERE IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
The Kingdom of God is described in metaphorical terms (the kingdom is like...) in order to evoke a visceral understanding of the greatness of God’s love and the limitless bounty of God’s grace.
WHY DOES GOD ALLOW REALLY BAD THINGS TO HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?
I’m not talking about “bad things” like inconveniences. I’m talking big, bad, horrible stuff: people being set on fire on purpose; crib death; human trafficking; animal cruelty; addiction; excruciating, wasting disease. That kind of thing.
WHY DOES GOD LET BAD THINGS HAPPEN IN THE WORLD?
This question is probably as old as religion itself. It is a stumbling block for some of us, and for many more at given moments of tragedy.
WILL I BE PUNISHED IF I AM ANGRY AT GOD BECAUSE I FEEL MISERABLE AND ALONE?
We can be completely honest toward God with our thoughts and feelings. And God is big enough to take it all.
YOU ARE LOVED
We offer here some thoughts about the enormity and constancy of God's ever-present love.
