John MacArthur: Why Does God Allow So Much Suffering and Evil?

[@ImNoahSpence]

Absolutely love listening to John MacArthur!

[@SalemAndero]

Love listening to JMac always! God is good! God’s glory is the ultimate end..

[@ChildofGod98765]

Amen. Jesus you can change my situation. Jesus you are my King, I need a miracle today please come and rescue me. As a single mother, raising not one but two children on the spectrum I am overwhelmed and I’m constantly struggling to pay bills. Struggling to buy groceries, struggling to do it all. But I won’t give up. I have the faith to believe and receive a blessing from you today Lord Jesus. ❤️💕

[@abullard8409]

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[@boniirai2284]

God bless you .. 🙏🙏

[@Faith-m3w]

I just pray to the Easter bunny.

[@historian254]

grace grace god's grace grace that will pardon and cleanse within

[@devvildogg1775]

Always thought the phase “God allows” was a weird position to take. It’s not that he allows it, it’s built into the fabric of reality, how would you go up with no down? There’s no reference point. Evil exists because good exists. God created it. How would we know joy without suffering?

[@LSX427-b3n]

IE he allows it. It's pathetic how dense some of you people are.

[@sorrowinchrist3387]

A better answer to Pastor John is why does God allow evil? Cause He has given us free will and we have deicded to burn the earth rather then obey his command. Not because to display more of His Glory.

[@hannahsdrawings8664]

Only the free will of evil people is respected. What about the free will of their victims to not be hurt?

[@jeremyyork3538]

The giving of 'free will' is fine but the capacity for doing evil needn't have been part of our make up. Also, what about suffering? If it had to be part of life, why wasn't it reserved for those who deserved it?

[@jeremyyork3538]

@hannahsdrawings8664 Good point Hannah

[@larrydbishop]

*Only see Revelation 11:17 and Matthew 17:11 PER Isaiah 2: 11&17's ditto To find DAVID* And learn HOW *Revelation 22:18&19 WERE THE INSTRUCTIONS* To WRITE/Author the Rev.5:5 Scroll by DOING Revelation 10:4 & 20:12 as *DAVID The CHRIST* *But NOTE: this means 'Jesus' (Zechariah **11:17** was ANTI-Christ) Ezekiel 21:25 26 27*

[@Spino256]

Well suffering started because of adam and eve, we chose evil so yeah. Now God allowed it because suffering actually makes us stronger, suffering gives us strength, without suffering life will be meaningless. But not all suffering are from God, the devil also creates suffering, these sufferings are the ones that put you away from God. We have good and bad suffering, the good is given by God to make us stronger and closer to him, and there is evil, this one destroys us. If youre suffering just pray to God, if the suffering disappeared its made by the devil, if it did not, just keep praying, trust the Lord, this suffering is just a test, it will go away, hes just testing you to make you stronger. Remember that God is a loving God, he will not do things that will hurt you, these tests are for your own good, just trust his plans.

[@LSX427-b3n]

He set them up to fail in the garden because he wanted suffering to enter the world all along. Then he goes and blames us for said failure that he set up. That should tell you everything you need to know about his true character.

[@Spino256]

@LSX427-b3n Thats your opinion. But Ill tell you something.. God didnt set it up, he gave us free will, its our choice to become good or bad, Adam and Eve chose to be bad so yeah, they listened to the devil, they didnt obey God. He gave us free will BUT every actions we make has consequences or prices, if you choose to be bad then fine, be in hell after death for eternity, if you choose to be good then you will have a reward, the reward is coming back to God and living in pure joy in his kingdom. Even tho if he set everything up, why should we be mad at him? Hes our creator, its his choice, its his plans, we cant hate him for that, hes still our God, we should obey him, were too little compared to him, so why be mad? We are just creations. But pretty sure thats not God, hes not evil. Hes all love.

[@Quanthefather]

@@Spino256 It’s not genuine if a person is motivated to “be good” for a reward (heaven), and/or not bad to avoid punishment (hell). To be a far more accurate test of a person’s character, the bible should never have been written, so that all people could live their lives ignorant of any future reward or punishment. So that they can choose to be good or do good for its own sake, with no other motivation. When an atheist does good it is therefore far more genuine and reflective of a truly good soul, and I would think God would want that person in heaven with him more than a Christian who does good because he wants to get to heaven or avoid hell. You seem to also believe in the devil, I would ask you then why you believe God permits the devil to deceive and manipulate his “children”. It seems to me that humans have the ability to choose good or evil without the need for any extra “push” towards evil from the devil, and you have to ask yourself why God thinks humans need this extra push towards evil or why he permits it.

[@LSX427-b3n]

​@@Spino256 He knew exactly what would happen which is why he did nothing to stop it. Quit making excuses for him.

[@CARTIAE730]

Why would he choose to allow suffering and evil just to show his glory?

[@Quanthefather]

Because everything is for God’s glory, everything. What’s great about the pastor’s explanation is that it’s unfalsifiable. Pastor John for the win, yo.

[@CARTIAE730]

@ Ah yes, the classic ‘it’s unfalsifiable, so it must be true argument. That’s like saying my invisible dragon in the garage is real because you can’t disprove it. Pastor John really out here playing 4D chess with logic, huh?

[@Quanthefather]

@@CARTIAE730 Exactly. When everything, including suffering and evil, goes ultimately towards the glory of God, it’s a neat way of explaining away virtually every criticism anyone can ever have. Unnecessary animal suffering? Glory for God. Unreasonably excessive pain and suffering of people/children/babies? Glory for God. A supposedly OMNIPOTENT God playing hide-and-seek with his creations and offering up only a mere book to mankind which no one can agree on as his best attempt to reach everyone and save his “children” from ETERNAL damnation? Glory to God of course. Glory, glory, hallelujah.

[@CARTIAE730]

@@Quanthefather Wow, you really went all in on that one. Did you copy and paste this from Reddit or was this rant handcrafted for me? Either way solid effort for something so ironically lacking in glory

[@Quanthefather]

@@CARTIAE730 Dude what are you even talking about, I’m clearly agreeing with you.

[@Retha1955]

I don’t understand why God would allow abuse of a 6 year old child for instance. I understand that adults have choices, a child doesn’t.

[@inad2166]

That's why the world is unfair, but God is fair. Don't get the two mixed up.

[@thegospel4374]

that's right, Question, test, prove every doctrine you hear because the bible teaches/commands us to do that. Find GOD's answer, don't listen to this guy who has an evil picture of GOD and demonized so many Scriptures.

[@maggiegoossens1894]

so if God fixed that mess, saved the child in some divine way, what then? Man will just continue to grab another child and go on and on. God is not responisible for the evil WE create! Man has to clean up his own mess! Didn't your parents teach you that? Take responisbility for your actions? clean up after yourself? Change your ways perhaps? ???? Same goes for evil: WE ARE TO CLEAN UP EVIL PEOPLE!!!! LITERALLY! But that doesn't happen, does it? Especially with child abuse. And your know why?? The governments are part of the problem. That's why it will never stop.... 😡

[@miguelramos6663]

The world is unfair that’s y we need Jesus Christ to save us !!!

[@markcopeland3011]

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[@MrPatdeeee]

(Sorry for the VERY, VERY long "comment". But I believe it NEEDS to be espoused) Kind Sir John MacArthur and Jonny Ardavanis...IF you were to ask your question; to 10,000 Pastors around this World; you would get mostly different answers! Sad, but OH so True! Well I would say this... If we go back to "Creation"; when God gave us "Free-Will". (Instead: of so many Christians; thinking God is "over" everything). Which is NOT true, because of the Free-Will, "Folks"! But remember...God is a Loving God; but also He's a "Quintessential" Judge too! That "many" Christians do not know! But it's true! Now, satan knows "that" too! So he tempts EVERY person; who has ever lived, to Sin; from birth to death! And that is the basic "Evil" Brethren! Never forget it. Thus, the way it goes... 1. God leaves us alone mostly! 2. Ole' satan tempts us; and MOST people do his "Evil" Sins! And 3. God punishes us for EVERY Sin by 7 times. But 10 X 7, IF we commit "Abominable Sins"! Please read these verses... Leviticus 27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in wrath; and I, even I, will punish you seven times for your sins. (But commit "Abominable Sin" it is "10 X 7=70 times!) And I believe "World", this is the answer, of John's and Jonny Ardavanis "question"! Could I be Wrong? ABSOLUTELY YES! But all of the others Could Be Wrong too! So I now, end me case... ...In any case Kind Sir and Brethren, Please Pray OFTEN and Praise Jesus OFTEN; for He is the ONLY true "God Almighty"; there will ever have been. And may Jesus bless you and yours always. AMEN!

[@lstephen]

that's scary

[@MrPatdeeee]

@@lstephen It's what Jesus does. So we will Sin Less! But sadly, we disobey. And we live in horrible things. Oh Well. Amen!

[@mattr.1887]

Seems like Satan is more involved than God is.

[@MrPatdeeee]

@@mattr.1887 Oh yes Brethren. For Sure. It's the Free-Will that causes that. Praise Jesus' Holy name. Amen!

[@Bullseyeguy8]

Definitely a messed up and unbiblical view. God needs evil to be glorious? Ridiculous. Also John is a Calvinist and believes that literally everything is ordained decreed by God. So there’s no real sense that He allows or give permission evil acts. It’s all decreed and following his decreed will perfectly.

[@ExploringAlabama]

God to Satan, “have you considered my servant Job?”

[@JayWalker200]

What the hell! Why would a loving and caring God need glory?

[@SUMITJOHN]

Johnny, it's not good to cross your leg like that when you are sitting before a very respected elder. It's not a good manners.

[@DixieDee]

We've gone so far beyond that these days; that he'd look at you confused if you said that to him. Good manners are scarce these days. And may Jesus have mercy...

[@trentnorkus5718]

There’s no h in Jonny, and would you also like him to pray to Pastor John?

[@DixieDee]

@@trentnorkus5718What? So we shouldn't show respect toward our elders and have good manners? What are you, 10 years old?

[@SUMITJOHN]

@@trentnorkus5718 Humility is shown through mannerisms and behaviour. Sitting ostentatiously shows what? I have never seen mature, godly person like John MacArthur, Paul Washer, RC sproul John Piper sitting like that in front of people. You know why? Because they are humble. Johny may not be aware of this sitting position because it has become a normal thing in America. But in India, it means a lot.

[@timothymcdonald7407]

But he’s not sitting across from a respected elder.

[@Descriptor_]

It’s the same old lie. We believe that we are good and can be made like God. So we reject Him and try to make our thrones above His. The Spirit alone can open our eyes to our depravity that questions God.

[@klsamuel70]

Please one request, before elders don't sit like that, he is man of God, my spiritual mentor. Sit properly before senior.

[@ExploringAlabama]

Wow.

[@EL_FIN_ESTÁ_CERCA]

*Soli Deo Gloria?* But... Are you sure you're not giving the glory to yourself? *Calvinist* friend, why did God choose you? You are smart, you know well that it wasn’t a draw. The idea is just… ridiculous. Therefore… there is only one logical option left, right? And your heart knows it very well. God must have seen something special in you. But there is a BIG problem with that “god” of yours: It’s *UNBIBLICAL.* We know that God doesn’t have favorites. He is no respecter of persons. (Romans 2:11). Therefore, it is *impossible* that God chose you because of something in you. You are not worth a cent more than anyone else. The only reason He did, it's because He knew your response to his call. (Romans 8:29). Just like you wouldn't go out to the streets to force a woman to be your wife without her consent, Jesus isn't going to do it. (Free will). "... Many are called, but few *chosen.* " (Matthew 20:16) How terrible is that you don't care distorting God's character just so you can feel “special”, better than others, chosen! Because… let's be reasonable, a “god” who, being able to choose, chose the vast majority of human beings to be destroyed in hell, without any option for salvation, *is not loving, merciful, or good* . It’s not the God of the Bible. Therefore, let us be *VERY CAREFUL* ,lest while trying to give glory to God, we are found to be liars. “ *For the heart is wicked and deceitful above all things.* ” (Jeremiah 17:9).

[@seatedabove]

he dosent give a shit

[@5StarBibleTeaching-mh2gm]

John MacArthur misrepresented his view. He' a Calvinists and believe God is actually the author of evil

[@ExploringAlabama]

You are wrong. Like counsel without scripture being simply opinion, site your reference or simply stop slandering other believers. We are waiting…

[@5StarBibleTeaching-mh2gm]

@@ExploringAlabama Pull you head out of the sand and understand MacArthurs view. He's a Calvinist and believes God authors whatever comes to pass.

[@thinketernal260]

Wrong

[@thinketernal260]

God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass;1 yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein;2 nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established;3 in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing His decree.4

[@5StarBibleTeaching-mh2gm]

@@thinketernal260 That's not bible; its a doctrine of man; not God.

[@torreyintahoe]

Because there are no gods.

[@actsean7]

This is a terrible theodicy…😩

[@notxtreme7566]

How would you answer this question then?

[@carlking8530]

Evil does not allow God to manifest His glory. Evil reveals something JM doesn't understand , namely the free will He has to mankind. It enables mankind to rebel against God's will for man to be holy. Without free will there would be no evil in mankind.

[@4jchan]

@@carlking8530 I disagree. If Libertarian free will is true, evil would not exist. Sin is by definition a deliberate/intentional act. LFW states that the human will is undetermined because it assumes the ability to choose otherwise. Therefore one cannot say one sinned BECAUSE he/she wanted to sin. Any explanation you give for a given choice is admitting to determinism. An undetermined will implies that human behavior is completely random. This makes "sin" an accident or a mistake (not deliberate). Random behavior by defn cannot be controlled

[@actsean7]

@@notxtreme75661st John reports that God is love. If this is true, then God is far more concerned with sharing God’s self with creation and God receiving glory couldn’t be an end goal especially not in the context of the world we’ve brought into existence. God is the most glorious entity and worthy of all glory… but if God is ultimately concerned with making sure he receives all of that glory… that doesn’t strike many as God being all that good. Sounds more like an earthly king. Back to Love being the ultimate goal… love can’t exist without choice… Humans would have to have the freedom to choose to be loved and to love. And we chose wrongly and we choose wrongly. But what does it look like for God to extend love (himself) to us in this corrupted world where we seemingly murder one another for sport? It looks like God putting on a human suit as a baby and being here with us, suffering with us, getting sick like we do, being betrayed like we are, and being murdered like we are… but then defeating our ultimate enemies, including death, and inviting us to do the same. You can’t have love without the option to reject it.

[@actsean7]

@@4jchanThen why are we admonished to choose life in the scriptures? Why are we encouraged not to reject Christ?