You may wonder why the title of this post is ended by a question mark. In my mind I imagine this statement said with a condescending and upward inflection. The reality is that many Americans, and other throughout the world even, ask this question of Christians all the time. Many who believe they are scientifically, or philosophically, "enlightened" are quick to point out to any Evangelical the "inconsistencies" within the Bible, and even the way the world is, in relation to who God is and what he does. Within my own dealings I have heard that, "The God of the Old Testament [or Tanakh] and the God of the New Testament are characteristically different." Also I have heard or been asked ,"How can God exist when all this bad is going on in the world [disease, war], and how could he allow 'good' people to die?" A closer look at scripture shakes the very fabric of these statements and questions, along with the perceptions of the world we have been taught.
First, we must understand that God is completely sovereign. He is the creator, sustainer, and ruler over all. He is fully good, and in his goodness he is completely just.
The next thing we have to do is understand our place as humans in scripture. Many people see humans as generally "good". This is what we learn as children and it gives us a false sense of entitlement. The reality is that we are not "good", not a single one of us. We are born into a world that is in a fallen state (Genesis 3). This is the reason that a sacrifice is needed to cover the sins of man (see Old Testament instruction in the book of Leviticus), but the blood of animals could not permanently cover sin, thus the reason for the death of Christ on the cross (Hebrews 10:1-18). We often fail to realize that God, being good, has full right to pour out his judgement on all of us. Yet in his goodness saw fit to send Christ as a permanent sacrifice for our sins.
A close look at scripture shows a God who is unwaveringly just, but also completely loving and good. The death of Christ on the cross is a testament to both of those characteristics. He is just, therefore there must be payment for our sin and rebellion, while being loving and good in that he sent his son to live a perfect life, then die and overcome the grave, so that we may live! He created us to give himself glory, and was not obligated to give us life in that, he would gain the glory either way. We see strong examples of this in the Old Testament, where God uses the Israelites, as well as other nations against them, to bring himself glory (as well as so many more examples). Yet he loved us so, that he covered our sins with the sacrifice of Jesus.
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
