If God is so powerful and so good, why do bad things happen? - Voddie Baucham

Voddie Baucham answers the age old question, if God is so powerful and good, why do bad things happen?

This is a clip of Voddie Baucham's message "The Supremacy of Christ and Truth in a Postmodern World" given at the 2006 Desiring God National Conference.

For the entire message, go here: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/the-supremacy...

Video used with permission from John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Voddie
• Baucham
• Truth
• God
• John
• Piper
• Desiring
• Evil
• Bad
• supremacy
• Christ
• postmodern
• national
• conference
• power
• words
• 2008

[jayjaygee123]

@chrismca c) Who's the intolerant one? The one who says "there's only one truth" or the one who says "You can believe what you want and I can believe what I want, just don't tell me I'm wrong."? You see, I don't mean to insult your intelligence, but by insisting that he is wrong you are doing the very same thing you are accusing him of. You have to understand; if you're going to make a judgment on someone's world view you cannot possibly do it while being tolerant. Don't play the hypocrite.

[jayjaygee123]

@chrismca a) Good; "Pride goes before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction." The most successful CEOs often surprise people; why? Because they're just normal people to talk to. Humility and a recognition of our own inabilities is worth far more than some bogus self-image.

b) The compensating greater good is the only thing that is eternal. "Store up treasures in heaven where thieves and rust do not destroy." I'm pretty sure that was addressed.

[chrismca]

@jayjaygee123 I’m glad we agree on truth, reason, & science, that’s good. But, here’s what I’m thinking: Voddie’s response to these students (a) potentially harms their self concept without offering (b) a compensating, greater good. Additionally (c) his response not only displays, but models intolerance. Hence the bigotry.

I’m not asking you to agree (we may never), but I’m just wondering if this makes any sense to you (& if not, why not)

[chrismca]

@jayjaygee123 But, to your question: I guess if someone told me “you have a gift,” I’d just do the usual; that is, make a best guess at their intention, and react accordingly. I’d guess 99.999% of folks mean it only as an expression of good will and genuine kindness. When I tell folks what I do for a living, sometimes they respond “God bless you” (honest, I’m not BS-ing you) - obviously 100% kind-hearted. Both the “gift” and “bless” statements have neither potential for harm nor show intolerance

[jayjaygee123]

@chrismca I'd agree with you on truth, reason and science all being good principles, but apparently we'd disagree on where these come from. Tell me; does it befoul someone's character to tell them "you have a gift" when referring to their area of expertise? Is this not a compliment? If you really feel a man is a bigot for telling you you're ungrateful than it seems to me you've got the meaning of the word "bigotry" reversed.

[chrismca]

@idlepink17 Here’s how Voddie’s unethical: Years of teaching at universities made me love their commitment to truth, reason, and science. I also love and value things these principles give humankind (medicines, etc) So when I hear Voddie speak this way to students based on nothing more than his supernatural beliefs, I feel contempt and scorn (not fear) based on my years (no knee-jerk) on campus. Attitudes like his befoul colleges, and no institution worthy of the title should allow such bigotry.

[chrismca]

@idlepink17 You can’t respond rationally to any of my points, so you try to just attack me instead?

Ok, how did you do?

1) You claim that I “like spewing $10 words”

Is a decent vocabulary truly beyond you? As for mine, see Mark Twain’s1988 quote about “the right word.”

Also, you’ve caused me to suspect your reading comprehension skills:

2) You claim that I think “a belief necessitates certain action”

Wrong, I wrote “beliefs, in part, drive actions.” So, is the concept “in part” also beyond you?

[chrismca]

@idlepink17 3) You claim I “demand facts with sources"’

-Wrong, I demanded nothing. I wrote “Respond if you like” This also escapes you?

4) You claim I “don't provide any” facts with sources.

-Wrong, I cited the fact “that the will has multiple parts” and suggest you consult sources like a “reference on epistemology” or Mook’s book

Discussion containing facts & sources is better & more helpful to understanding. So unless you can “bring something to the table” that’s at least accurate, so long

[duchesssarah81]

I appreciate this. God really does love us - He truly is patient always & His love does not keep a record of our sins.