I am very troubled and offended by people that go out of their way to discredit the Bible and the existence of God.  I feel there must be something deep down inside of them that asks the question, “What if it's true?”.  What would some other reasons be for why people discredit the Bible and God’s existence?

Sincerely,
A True Believer

Dear A True Believer,

People reject and seek to destroy Christianity for a number of reasons.  We must make sure to differentiate between those who are actively opposed to Christ and those who simply haven’t become christians.  Only a small portion of society is actively engaged in trying to eradicate God from society.  Those who are vehemently opposed to God have many reasons for being that way:

1. They may be like Paul – actively ignorant.  Paul persecuted the church because he was stubbornly ignorant of the truth about Jesus (1 Tim 1:13).
2. Their consciences have been seared by sin, and their view of the world has been warped by immorality (1 Tim 4:2).
3. Sometimes people oppose God because they have something to gain by pursuing religious (or atheistic) goals.  Their appetites and desire for power become their gods (Php 3:19).
4. They were mistreated and abused by religious people in their past.  If someone has had bad experiences (molestation, abuse, etc.) at the hands of those who professed to serve Christ, they may lash out at God because of their pain and suffering.  This isn’t the right outlet for pain, but it certainly does happen.

Ultimately, we each must stand before God (Heb 9:27).  Whether we believe in God or not – we will all meet Him.

Can you be forgiven for taking God's name in vain?  A lot of people say it, and they are not cursing God.  I know it is wrong; I don't think people think about what they are saying.

Sincerely,
Loose Lips

Dear Loose Lips,

We can be forgiven for using the Lord’s name in vain, but only if we repent and turn to the Lord.  God has provided a means for all sins to be forgiven – His Son’s blood.  When we become christians (read “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” for details on how to become a christian), all sins are forgiven, even our previous blasphemy against God.  It is true that many people don’t think about what they are saying, but that is not an excuse… it is an explanation.  Ignorant sin is still sin (Acts 17:30).  Only in Christ can we have salvation… and each of us has a responsibility to seek Christ (Acts 17:26-27).

If God is love, and He is (1 Jn 4:8)… then would it be safe to say that love is God?

Sincerely,
Lovestruck

Dear Lovestruck,

God is love (1 Jn 4:8), but love isn’t God.  There is a logic flaw in switching those two statements around.  It doesn’t work both ways.  Consider these examples:

1. A cedar is a tree, but not every tree is a cedar.
2. A tuna is a fish, but not every fish is a tuna.
3. The man is fast, but that doesn’t mean every fast thing is a man.

God is the perfect example of love.  He loved mankind so much that He gave His own Son for us (Jhn 3:16).  He loved us while we were still His enemies (Rom 5:10).  Nobody is better at showing love than God, and we ought to imitate His love, but that doesn’t mean that every act of love is God.  That is a misunderstanding of what the Bible is teaching.

Did discrimination exist from the beginning? Why did God choose a good-looking Jesus as His son?  Why did God choose a beautiful Mary as a mother to God?  Does God look on personality as well?

Sincerely,
Picture Perfect

Dear Picture Perfect,

God didn’t make Jesus good-looking.  In fact, Isaiah 53:2 says that Jesus wasn’t anything special to look at.  Many portraits and paintings have been made depicting Jesus as a handsome man, but the Scriptures say that He wasn’t.  What drew people to Jesus were His character and His words (Lk 24:32, Jhn 7:45-46).  Mary also was known for her character, not her outward beauty (Lk 1:30).  God says that it is the inner character of people that is pleasing to Him (Lk 11:39, 2 Cor 4:16).  God shows no partiality between the wealthy and the poor, the handsome and the ugly (Eph 6:9, 1 Pet 1:17).  God cares about whom you are, not how you look.

I will get straight to the point with this; I was sexually abused as a child; there were many personal consequences to me as a result of this, but it has mostly made it very difficult for me growing up to trust others, especially men.  I understand that nothing like this is the will of God but that it is the consequence of sin.  What I don't understand is how God expects me to deal with this, make some good come from this, and be able to have a well-adjusted and functioning relationship.  For a long time, I felt it was unfair that I had to grow up without having the chance to really be a child, now though, I am just trying to make the best of my past and move on with my life.  Is there any advice you could give me?  …Because sometimes it's really difficult for me to deal with this, and to be honest, I feel lost about how to deal with and overcome these challenges because it feels like there is nothing good I can make out of it.

Sincerely,
Grew Up Too Fast

Dear Grew Up Too Fast,

Your question is a legitimate one that deserves a good and truthful Bible answer.  The problem is, if we could provide a one-paragraph answer that would overcome your lifelong struggle, you would have already found that answer.  There are some struggles that are so deep that they can’t be unburdened quickly.  God says that the heart knows its own sorrow (Pr 14:10) and that it is easier to destroy than it is to rebuild (Eccl 9:18).  There is no shame in seeking counseling and finding a healthy listening ear to unburden your woes upon (we would be happy to help you locate a Bible-based counselor in your area).  Time and effort are the only truly effective tools for coping with such devastating pain as being abused as a child.

The only other thing that we would say is that it has been our experience that people who have been through great trials are the ones that are the most capable of helping others.  Trials seem to have a way of increasing our capacity to empathize and pull alongside others.  The Bible shows this to be true in numerous circumstances.  Jeremiah’s suffering at the hands of Israel, Daniel in the lion’s den, Ruth’s early widowhood, and countless other stories of bereaved and burdened Bible heroes tell us that adversity can create magnificent humans.  It may very well be that you will be one of the most effective people at helping others because you suffered so much at such an early age.  We are so very sorry for your pain and pray that you will be able to overcome.