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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 516
| Posted 6/28/2001 5:27 PM (GMT -6) |   | to a Friend | Help << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
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DanielPratt
05/10/01 12:50 AM
Death
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Hello. My name is Dan and I'm not really sure about writing this to be totally honest with you. I understand that many people will be able to read these comments, but this is something I need very much right now. Hopefully this is the place to find what I need.
Last month my cousin Paul was in a car wreck on his way to a nearby town. A semi truck swerved at him and his four friends as it came at them from the other lane. They were all killed instantly but Paul. He was in a coma for a week before he finally passed away. Paul was a Christian, and he was always talking to me about church and God, but I have never really wanted to listen. While the minister at his funeral said that Paul died for a reason, I don't believe it. What reason is there to take away an all-state singer and a wonderful actor when it seemed that there was so much that he would do? I'm sorry if I sound angry, but I am, and angry with God, if I even believe in him. I guess this religious God stuff was good for Paul while he lived, but now what. And why did that happen if God could have stopped it. I'm sure this is the most childish message you've gotten, but I stumbled across this website and after reading some of the postings (most of which I can't understand) I figured at least somebody could give me a clue as to what's going on. Thanks a lot.
In search,
Dan Pratt
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
trosie
05/10/01 1:55 AM
RE: Death
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Hi Dan:
As I have been studying tonight I have been thinking about what you just posted regarding "death". Amazingly, I am currently studying what I think might be an answer to the question you just asked -- it's the 'Warfare Perspective on Suffering'. Be assured that this is definitely NOT the most childish message -- actually it's very honest of you to express your grief and anger.
Some of the events that happen in life are the result of sin and some are the result of the law of nature (like the semi swerving and hitting the car with your cousin in it) Things are NOT always the way God would have wanted them to be even though He allows them. There are times that God intervenes in miraculous ways but that's the exception not the rule. We may not be able to understand the reason WHY God did not intervene in this situation except to say that to do so would have gone against the way He has set up the world to operate within a cause/effect relationship: A semi swerves, looses control, and ends up in the oncoming traffic lane killing the people in the car. One thing that we can be sure of is that even in the midst of this HORRIBLE and untimely death of your cousin, the suffering that you are experiencing is not meaningless when surrendered to God because He loves you. He loved your cousin Paul too and has brought him home to be with Him in heaven. God ultimately wins in death because He has taken the sting out of death by dying on the cross thereby giving those who believe in Him eternal life.
When you said that you are angry with God -- I got this picture of God standing right next to you with His arm around you, and in His eyes there is this understanding and compassion for you. He understands your anger and your sadness. Christ suffers along with us when we suffer and He stands right there with us through it.
I just felt a need to share these thoughts with you because it seems too coincidental that I am studying a topic on suffering. You will be in my prayers.
God loves you SO much, Dan!
trosie
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
writerdad
05/10/01 3:10 PM
RE: Death
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Daniel: within the last year my niece died of cancer, several other friends have had tremendous problems, basically much upheaval in my life. Though I believe in the love of God, many times it has been the comfort of those around me, who love me, who I believe God has put in my life to love me, that have really been the answer. Why does God allow such things? I do not know. But I do believe God is there, waiting to listen and comfort.
A couple of books that have been very helpful and might help you:
Disappointment with God by Phillip Yancey
A Grace Disguised by Gerald Sittser
Notes to Myself on Dying (can't remember the author).
Of course within the Christian community there are many views on why God allows such things to happen. I grapple with them myself. But, regardless of the reason, I have found I must still deal with the loss itself and all I can say is that believing in the grace of God that brought his son down here to love us and die for us keeps me trusting God, even though I do not understand why certain things happen. I hope that helps...John 17:3 Harold
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