God's influence

[orangatan]

Have nc for this but only becuase I am busy as it were on other threads.

I am having trouble getting my head around something.

I am a committed christian.

When things go wrong, and I am really just talking about very minor things that other people have done to you, how much of that has been orchestrated by God?
Any of it? None of it? Somewhere in between?

Thanks

As is often the way bluepen/ferra/amillionyears/favourite things etc etc.

Forgot golddigger/sunshine

Dont actually know all of those names!

So we would expect a distinct and dramatic divide between Christians and non Christians in terms of health that can't be explained by any other means?

Not so much. Not all churches believe it is God's will to heal like I do. Some believe God can heal but is not always willing. This is not my belief. I believe physical healing is part of the Redemption Christ bought for us.

The belief is problematic because the question is always asked why some people are not healed. They do not like to think they do not have enough Faith.

I think everybody has enough Faith, but the results depend on how it is exercised and also whether there is unbelief working against it. (Also the starting point of health and speed of progression of the disease.) Day in, day out there is much which is said / believed culturally which can cause discouragement and unbelief. People seem almost offended by Hope sometimes and it can be labelled irresponsible or denial.

I do not believe God gives people disease to make them learn things. Healing is available to all. Disease is present in this world and humanity is susceptible.

I am not sure I understand all of your last post capsium.

But you are so right about the hope.

I have sometimes had to cling on to Luke 18 v 1

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A1&version=NRSV

A pretty crucial verse.

I believe we can learn from overcoming disease but God does not give us diseases. He can turn even bad experiences into good. I believe physical healing is part of the Redemption Christ bought for us.

He did give people diseases in the Old Testament. Cant think whether he did in the New Testament or not.

But if god made all living creatures then he made bacteria too, bacteria that are pathogenic to humans. Why would he do that if not to cause disease?

Um. Good question. Too tired to answer that right now. Nighty Night.

Not all bacteria are pathogenic, some are advantageous to humans, for example gut bacteria. I believe they were created harmonious.

blue the OT is before Redemption through Christ was available. Not everyone accepts the Redemption through Christ.

I agree not all bacteria are harmful but many are. So those microbes were "created harmonious" and then what- became evil?

Yes, head. Our world has corruption in it. But in the right context, bacteria have very important purposes. Even when dead matter rots and decays it feeds the soil, which plants feed off.

You seriously think that some bacteria are evil? That's silly. Bacteria invade all manner of living things, including humans, sometimes to their detriment. They have the same struggle for survival as us , the need for food and an environment to occupy.

Pathogenic bacteria are no more evil than a lion killing an antelope to feed, or for that matter a human eating a chicken. Is that evil too? Because it's exactly what bacteria do. Are we commiting an evil act because we have a bacon sandwich?

No we can eat meat. It is not evil. This is even discussed in the Bible.

However I believe we are supposed to have Dominion over this world in Christ. Bacteria have their rightful place in the world, causing illnesses is not it.

Or would you happily host all harmful bacteria in your body atthestroke? Like some sort of bacteria sanctuary? Have they a right to live there in their quest for survival?

That's a very arrogant stance. Supremacy. You think you are the most important species?

Maybe you'd like a nit farm on your head, like Horrid Henry?

Nits have rights too?

Do you share your food with cockroaches? They only want to eat your leftovers after all...

Not at all- I'm not suggeting that any species have dominion, we are just one of thousands that inhabit this planet. It is you that suggest some bacteria are evil because they bother you. I guess you think nits are part of Satan's plan too.
In terms of numbers bacteria out number us significantly, it could be argued that it is them who "have dominion" on this planet.

Do you serioulsy believe everything you read in the bible?

Ah so cockroaches are Satan's little helpers too.........OK

Out numbered maybe but what can compare to the Power of God, which can work through us, in Christ?

The Bible is a sacred book for Christians, you know. Which bits do you expect me not to believe?

Only when they are wrong place atthe. Although I'm not sure exactly where they belong, cockroaches. You're not telling me you welcome them in your kitchen?

And you should see the hysteria nits can cause in my DC's school...