God could have destroyed the essence of evil right on the spot. But, I would argue that would make God unjust. Now, hear me out on this one, it’s tough to have this type of conversation via comments like this.

What if God foreknew the possibility? What if God chose to limit Himself to be in relationship with God. What if God choose to limit His foreknowledge in order that you and I have true freedom. Then, when bad things happen, God genuinely grieves with us.

Therefore, God grieved that humanity had chosen sin but, because He is just, He allowed humanity to experience the consequences of their choices.

God, I would argue, foresees possibilities. I think if everything is pre-determined then you have a difficult time arguing for what exactly prayer does and why evil is in the world. God, I believe, chooses to allow certain things to remain open so that humanity fully partners with God as God partners with humanity.

A covenant ceases to be a covenant if only one party makes sacrifices for its cause. God took great risk to be in relationship with humanity. He became vulnerable and opened Himself up to the possibility of being hurt. The story of Scripture shows this again and again.

What say you?

And if prayer is being used as a weapon it surely cannot be the only weapon in the arsenal. In putting on the armor of God we are somewhat protected from the blows of the enemy, though not entirely; and though we are outfitted, we often are not prepared for the fight at hand. The most dangerous game is knowing that we are at war and ignoring the battlefield. Should we expect that God should do the same? Who then will fight on our behalf? Do we expect that prayer will change the outcome? If it is in Gods will that a specific result happen, than it is safe to assume that prayer may change the actual timeframe of the occurrence, but not the actual event. And if God has laid the path before me and knows the move I make before I make it, or the question before I ask it; then He also knows the prayer before it is spoken; which poses the question; why even pray?

Because of His omnipotence; to say that God didn’t author evil is perhaps true, but He did allow for its existence. (I know I’ll get your goat on this one) Though Satin wanted the glory for himself and was cast aside, why didn’t it end there? Why wasn’t he destroyed? God could have ended it; after all He knew it was coming… was His purpose to have us fall from grace simply to be restored? If we continue to focus on good then we must accept that evil is an integral part of it. I just pray that God will continue to fight alongside of us to defeat it.

Great comment. My response is not one you’re going to like. If I asked you what you do to a rebellious child, how would you respond? You would more than likely say that you would discipline, still love the child, and pray for correction…I’m guessing.

But, I would argue otherwise. Using your Old Testament lens, Exodus and Leviticus both command us to stone these children to death (Ex. 21:17; Lev. 20:9) Why wouldn’t you stone your child? Why is wrong to do so? Does Jesus make a difference in this conversation? Of course he does!

Your comments are a little dangerous, if you don’t mind me saying. You seem to read from my post that I’m saying either prayer OR violence. Many would argue both and that’s a different argument.

Ultimately, however, our war is not against flesh and blood but the principalities and powers of darkness (Eph. 6:12). Until we recognize the spiritual warfare that is taking place all around us, we will never address the key issue.

The Old Testament is chocked full of prayer on the battlefield. Sometimes, God even wins the battle for His people as they pray.

This is not a younger generation, politically connectedness conversation. The Old Testament has been fulfilled in Christ. We do not look to it to form our behaviors. Paul did not tell Christians to live under the Law…Jesus was the fulfillment of it.

We cannot go to the Old Testament at choice times to support our cases. Many of us wear clothing made of two ore more fabrics, all men I meet cut their sideburns, and women do not get put to the edge of the city during their menstrual cycles. Why? Because that stuff, in Christ, is not applicable. It was part of the story that led up to Christ. In Christ this all has changed.

So, on the battlefield, people may not pray. But, how is a Christian on the battlefield different from a non-Christian? Do we fail to pray because we fail to believe prayer works? Are we so comfortable in our own forms of force and security that we fail to really know what it means to depend on God in prayer?

Again, Mike, you raise some good stuff and I’m not attempting to shoot you down. I just get passionate about this stuff. Keep it coming, buddy.

By the way, how the heck are you doing?