So you're saying that because what we call god doesn't behave like a chummy British old chap he doesn't exist. Not only that but in typical British foolishness you forgot the bible was not written in english and try and talk about the meaning of metaphores you are no educated about.

No, he's saying the character of God as portrayed in the Bible (regardless of his nationality or native tongue) is an asshole. You want to worship a prick like that be my guest. Me? I am happy the blood thirsty, moronic, bumbling fool does not exist.

You forgetting the sort of people God had to work with. And still has.

When one sees the glass as half full any action that person doesn't understand will be looked upon negatively. That narrator picked out all the bad stuff in scripture but didn't say anything about God's endless compassion. Yes, the authors of the various books quoted gave God the credit for the bad stuff, but they also give God credit for the good. For this video to have been a credible argument against God he should have equated the good things in order to descend upon a balanced conclusion. Also, his side comment about God not coming to earth himself could be argued by just about every theological bend of Christianity that Jesus was in fact God. Karl Barth says Jesus is God's self revelation.

I don't understand everything God has done. The book of Joshua is tough to swallow. But I also don't blame God for everything humanity has done. God gave humans the gift of free will–where 'no' is not an option our 'yes' is meaningless. Yeah, this world sucks at times but I'm worshiping a God that is confident enough in himself to allow humans to chose whether or not to love him.

You've got a great blog! It's good for Christians to have their faith tested, especially on the topic of theodicy which seems to be the basis of all your posts.

Religions, on the other hand, mainly seem to focus on the "good stuff" god has apparently done. I think there are enough people spouting this view point to compensate.

I have one question for you – could your god have predicted the results of giving us "free will"?

Valid point.

Yes I think God had a pretty good idea of what would happen by giving us free will. Why?

Well, if god could predict the results of granting us "free will" (and given god is often attributed with omniscience I fail to see how he could not know something), then it follows that he knew the ultimate consequences of such a decision. This includes how the universe will end, every decision everyone will ever make, the "choice" of Eve and Adam's subsequent deception, who would not believe in him and be destined for hell, the whole lot from end to end. Yet he went ahead with this particular design anyway, creating evil and fating people to eternal torture for some grand final purpose.

The story is preposterous and I am thankful that none of it appears true on any level.

he created the tree to test adam and eve on their respect and love for God , and the talking serpent was the devil trying to lure adam and eve to forget about God telling them he was evil and selfish

And how exactly does that prove god is not omniscient? What kind of "all knowing" being creates things to test them, we he already *knows* what the outcome will be? What's the point?

Also, on a related note, what was god lacking that he desired to create the universe in the first place? A being with desires is not (by definition) perfect. Desires mean you lack something you wish for. So what does an all powerful, all knowing, and perfect creature desire?

Um, I think it comes down to a difference in theological nuances. Your questions seem to be pointing to a reformed view of God where his Sovereignty reigns supreme – there is nothing that did, is, or will happen in this universe without him either knowing about it or directing it. There is a very thin line between omniscience and determinism, which of course is to say God determined EVERYTHING. I have a softer view of God's Sovereignty than that. I don't believer God is directing every strike of my fingers onto the keys as I type right now. I certainly believe God is in control, and certainly could direct everything if he wished, but this is where my view of free will comes in.

First off, I don't believe God created evil. Augustine said evil is the absence of good. I agree with that and I think sin is -essentially- the manifestation of evil. Like I said in a few comments back, when 'no' is not an option our 'yes' is meaningless. God gave us the gift of free will and with that comes a certain level of personal sovereignty – we get to choose to do right or wrong, love God or not, believe in God or not, etc. God gave us this gift because with free will, our love for him, and each other, is far greater!

I'm married with a couple daughters. I can't imagine not being able to love them, or being made to love them. Being forced to love them would undermine my genuine love for each of them. If I was forced to love God it would also undermine my love for him.

Why did God create humanity? Love. Why did God give us free will even though he knew the consequences? Love. (Without consequences for our wrong doings free will would not be complete, therefore our love for him/others would not be complete.)

The essence of God is loving community. Existing in 3 persons (God, Son, Holy Spirit), humanity was created out of his essence. There wasn't really a desire per se it just made sense. What's God's grand final purpose? To be in loving community with God. When we are in loving community with God we are in loving community with one another.

I must say, with only knowing as much as this blog allows about you, it sounds like theodicy is your biggest hurdle. Theodicy is the question: "How can evil exist in a world where an all powerful good God is in control?" What are your thoughts on that?