The Basic Question...WHY

[orthodox skeptic]

Let's think, on this. Theistic doctrine holds that it was a single theistic deity who kicked everything off. Question...WHY?
One of my irreverent friends liked to say that one day God was bored so he decided to give himself something to play with...he called it his train set theory... and thus was created what we now refer to as human kind!
As I read thru the posts on this forum (which I totally enjoy) a recurring theme is CREATION and how it got started. I recalled the 'train set theory' and damned if it didn't make sense. Work with me: According to the Theists God is omniscient, among other things. Now that means that he knew that if he created A&E he was starting trouble, big trouble. The old comedian, Red Skelton had as one of his many characters "the bad little boy" This kid would think of something nasty to do and ponder..."if I dood it I get a lickin'...I dood it.
Ergo, if God knew what lay ahead why did he create a population which he knew (remember, he's omniscient) would be nothing but trouble. From the O/T we know that he was a God possessing many human characteristics...short temper and a need to get even being two.
Bringing us to the question, does it make anymore sense than "the train set theory" that God would have any valid reason for creating man other than to give himself something to do?l Having to listen to those choirs of angels 24/7 would get on any man's nerves!

[pokeegeorge]

Let's think, on this. Theistic doctrine holds that it was a single theistic deity who kicked everything off. Question...WHY?
One of my irreverent friends liked to say that one day God was bored so he decided to give himself something to play with...he called it his train set theory... and thus was created what we now refer to as human kind!
As I read thru the posts on this forum (which I totally enjoy) a recurring theme is CREATION and how it got started. I recalled the 'train set theory' and damned if it didn't make sense. Work with me: According to the Theists God is omniscient, among other things. Now that means that he knew that if he created A&E he was starting trouble, big trouble. The old comedian, Red Skelton had as one of his many characters "the bad little boy" This kid would think of something nasty to do and ponder..."if I dood it I get a lickin'...I dood it.
Ergo, if God knew what lay ahead why did he create a population which he knew (remember, he's omniscient) would be nothing but trouble. From the O/T we know that he was a God possessing many human characteristics...short temper and a need to get even being two.
Bringing us to the question, does it make anymore sense than "the train set theory" that God would have any valid reason for creating man other than to give himself something to do?l Having to listen to those choirs of angels 24/7 would get on any man's nerves!

Well, butt.

Asking why too much only boogles your mind. Like the little bad boy who keeps asking daddy 'why?'

Daddy can take only so many 'whys' before he tells his boy to stop it.

You are asking your creator why he created you? At your age you should be asking God why you couldn't live longer.

Just sayin'. Genesis Rabba approx 98:23:

Then God said, "Let us make man in our likeness, and let there be a creature not only the product of earth, but also gifted with heavenly, spiritual elements, which will bestow on him reason, intellect, and understanding." Truth then appeared, falling before God's throne, and in all humility exclaimed: "Deign, O God, to refrain from calling into being a creature who is beset with the vice of lying, who will tread truth under his feet." Peace came forth to support this petition. "Wherefore, O lord, shall this creature appear on earth, a creature so full of strife and contention, to disturb the peace and harmony of thy creation? He will carry the flame of quarrel and ill-will in his trail; he will bring about war and destruction in his eagerness for gain and conquest."

See those Jews who commented on creation did not speculate on WHY YHWH made man. They are orthodox.

Faith is not to know all the answers. Why ask why in this case?

[revelationtestament]

I answered basically this same question on another thread this way:
This was one of my problems with Christianity till I gained a testimony of the preexistence of man. If our souls did not preexist this world then why would such a great God create such weak creatures? Just to push around? What satisfaction would there be in that? Truth is he did not create our weaknesses. They were inherent in our souls. He just gave our souls a body. Then his efforts to lead us to be more like Him begin to make lots of sense. His offer to allow us to be one with Him if we overcome the world, becomes a mighty work of God.

[pokeegeorge]

I answered basically this same question on another thread this way:
This was one of my problems with Christianity till I gained a testimony of the preexistence of man. If our souls did not preexist this world then why would such a great God create such weak creatures? Just to push around? What satisfaction would there be in that? Truth is he did not create our weaknesses. They were inherent in our souls. He just gave our souls a body. Then his efforts to lead us to be more like Him begin to make lots of sense. His offer to allow us to be one with Him if we overcome the world, becomes a mighty work of God.

This addresses purpose of man, not so much the purpose of God.

Why would God create individuals in order to be MORE like him, from the basic
foundational position of all created men?

bestow on him reason, intellect, and understanding.

Genesis Rabba

He just likes to spread Himself around? That would be an answer but is it true?
And why would God like or need to spread Himself around?

He did not create any weakness in us? This came from a clock which tick tocked on it's own, our fathers and mothers and theirs and theirs? Genetic weakness?
Did we have a choice in this? I am not understanding your position. Obviously.

I reiterate. Why ask why? The answer would not excite me too much anyway.

[JoeyKnothead]

From Post 2:

Asking why too much only boogles your mind. Like the little bad boy who keeps asking daddy 'why?'

Such may boggle your mind, others of us are happy to continue asking.

Daddy can take only so many 'whys' before he tells his boy to stop it.

God is impatient?

You are asking your creator why he created you? At your age you should be asking God why you couldn't live longer.

I ask why if God can fix an old lady's hip at some revival he can't fix his own lack of a voicebox.

...
Faith is not to know all the answers.

Nor is faith to know any answers.

Why ask why in this case?

A ceaseless quest for knowledge.

[pokeegeorge]

Such may boggle your mind, others of us are happy to continue asking.

Curiosity killed the cat. But ask away. At your own detriment.

Daddy can take only so many 'whys' before he tells his boy to stop it.

God is impatient?

No, the boy is impertinent. But as a boy this is more understandable.

You are asking your creator why he created you? At your age you should be asking God why you couldn't live longer.

I ask why if God can fix an old lady's hip at some revival he can't fix his own lack of a voicebox.

Ask him to speak to you. And keep asking.

Maybe I should do this too.

Nobody said life was easy. You question your creator? Good luck. Jacob had it.

...
Faith is not to know all the answers.

Nor is faith to know any answers.

But faith is the 'seeing' of things not seen by normal eyes of the 'flesh.'
This is 'answer' but maybe not by your definition.

Flesh up. I meant the opposite of. See up.

Why ask why in this case?

A ceaseless quest for knowledge.

[/quote]

Curiosity killed the cat. Maybe the knothead. This cool cat abstains. From.

[ttruscott]

Let's think, on this. Theistic doctrine holds that it was a single theistic deity who kicked everything off. Question...WHY?
One of my irreverent friends liked to say that one day God was bored so he decided to give himself something to play with...he called it his train set theory... and thus was created what we now refer to as human kind!
...

Very good as it is the same conclusion I got to when trying to decide if the Eastern religions were in fact the same as Christianity. They posit the God the universal life impulse just decided one day to shape himself into material things of many different types but they do not suggest he was bored or any other reason either.

BUT Jehovah does tell us why HE created us ex nihilo (ie not out of himself) and according to the purpose of HIS creation:
Isaiah 43:7, 21
7 "whom I created for my glory"
21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

Matthew 22:
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

Revelation 14:7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory..."

which usually gets the back up from non-believers immediately. So GOD's train set is in fact a universe of sentient intelligent beings who are capable of making a true free will decision (in other words, were created in GOD's image).

[Wthout free will our songs of praise and worship and our love are robotic nonsense.]

This train set has a purpose to enjoy a realtionship with GOD based on love and worship. Within that purpose they are free to explore their universe at will while they enjoy GOD's presence.

So while it was the good start to a good theory it seems to me that both you and your friend stopped at the image of a robotic toy following a set plan and never went on to the Christian understanding of our reality as real people in a relationship with GOD.

Peace, Ted

[JoeyKnothead]

From Post 6:

Curiosity killed the cat. But ask away. At your own detriment.

Your position seems to be one of a fear of knowledge.

Daddy can take only so many 'whys' before he tells his boy to stop it.

God is impatient?

No, the boy is impertinent.

I don't doubt many folks think asking questions is "impertinent". One need only witness the hew and haw around someone challenging claims on this site for evidence in this regard.

But as a boy this is more understandable.

At what age do you s'pose one should no longer ask questions?

You are asking your creator why he created you? At your age you should be asking God why you couldn't live longer.

I ask why if God can fix an old lady's hip at some revival he can't fix his own lack of a voicebox.

Ask him to speak to you. And keep asking.

A common definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result.

Maybe I should do this too.

Nobody said life was easy. You question your creator? Good luck. Jacob had it.

While I contend that it may become easier with knowledge.

But faith is the 'seeing' of things not seen by normal eyes of the 'flesh.'
This is 'answer' but maybe not by your definition.

It would seem that faith is the 'seeing' by wishful thinking. Please note, that doesn't mean that faith - even when done by wishful thinking - has to be a bad thing.

Flesh up. I meant the opposite of. See up.

I'm lost as a cow at a square dance as to what that means.

Curiosity killed the cat.

It also got us computers.

Maybe the knothead.

Too easy.

This cool cat abstains. From.

This does seem correct.

[pokeegeorge]

From Post 6:

Curiosity killed the cat. But ask away. At your own detriment.

Your position seems to be one of a fear of knowledge.

Daddy can take only so many 'whys' before he tells his boy to stop it.

God is impatient?

No, the boy is impertinent.

I don't doubt many folks think asking questions is "impertinent". One need only witness the hew and haw around someone challenging claims on this site for evidence in this regard.

But as a boy this is more understandable.

At what age do you s'pose one should no longer ask questions?

You are asking your creator why he created you? At your age you should be asking God why you couldn't live longer.

I ask why if God can fix an old lady's hip at some revival he can't fix his own lack of a voicebox.

Ask him to speak to you. And keep asking.

A common definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result.

Maybe I should do this too.

Nobody said life was easy. You question your creator? Good luck. Jacob had it.

While I contend that it may become easier with knowledge.

But faith is the 'seeing' of things not seen by normal eyes of the 'flesh.'
This is 'answer' but maybe not by your definition.

It would seem that faith is the 'seeing' by wishful thinking. Please note, that doesn't mean that faith - even when done by wishful thinking - has to be a bad thing.

Flesh up. I meant the opposite of. See up.

I'm lost as a cow at a square dance as to what that means.

Curiosity killed the cat.

It also got us computers.

Maybe the knothead.

Too easy.

This cool cat abstains. From.

This does seem correct.

Computers ain't the end all. Not even close. Debating Christianity is the end all.

And yet some answers are impertinent just because.
Just because they are not answerable in the rational sense.

Steven Hawkings don't try to answer what we do. He is a genius.

I ain't none of that. And I am wise enough to fear when it is called for.

If the Bible doesn't say why God made man then it doesn't give me a lot of faith
that I could answer this. But it does say if you knock the door shall be opened.
This is not to say the answers which you WANT answered will be answered.

Ask the right question. Keep knocking. What else we have to do which is better?
Try to figure it out?

We all still gonna die. No one got around that one yet. In fact the ancients probably lived longer.

There's just some things you can't get around. Computers notwithstanding.

[orthodox skeptic]

I appreciate the responses but somewhere my point got lost. I'm not asking why God created me or anything else; because he didn't!! I did have my question answered. Only now my question becomes how so many thought they could come up with a rational answer to the original?? The other thing that's bothering me is that I could almost make sense out of some of them!! I need a day off!!!

Let's think, on this. Theistic doctrine holds that it was a single theistic deity who kicked everything off. Question...WHY?
One of my irreverent friends liked to say that one day God was bored so he decided to give himself something to play with...he called it his train set theory... and thus was created what we now refer to as human kind!
As I read thru the posts on this forum (which I totally enjoy) a recurring theme is CREATION and how it got started. I recalled the 'train set theory' and damned if it didn't make sense. Work with me: According to the Theists God is omniscient, among other things. Now that means that he knew that if he created A&E he was starting trouble, big trouble. The old comedian, Red Skelton had as one of his many characters "the bad little boy" This kid would think of something nasty to do and ponder..."if I dood it I get a lickin'...I dood it.
Ergo, if God knew what lay ahead why did he create a population which he knew (remember, he's omniscient) would be nothing but trouble. From the O/T we know that he was a God possessing many human characteristics...short temper and a need to get even being two.
Bringing us to the question, does it make anymore sense than "the train set theory" that God would have any valid reason for creating man other than to give himself something to do?l Having to listen to those choirs of angels 24/7 would get on any man's nerves!

Well, butt.

Asking why too much only boogles your mind. Like the little bad boy who keeps asking daddy 'why?'

Daddy can take only so many 'whys' before he tells his boy to stop it.

You are asking your creator why he created you? At your age you should be asking God why you couldn't live longer.

Just sayin'. Genesis Rabba approx 98:23:

Then God said, "Let us make man in our likeness, and let there be a creature not only the product of earth, but also gifted with heavenly, spiritual elements, which will bestow on him reason, intellect, and understanding." Truth then appeared, falling before God's throne, and in all humility exclaimed: "Deign, O God, to refrain from calling into being a creature who is beset with the vice of lying, who will tread truth under his feet." Peace came forth to support this petition. "Wherefore, O lord, shall this creature appear on earth, a creature so full of strife and contention, to disturb the peace and harmony of thy creation? He will carry the flame of quarrel and ill-will in his trail; he will bring about war and destruction in his eagerness for gain and conquest."

See those Jews who commented on creation did not speculate on WHY YHWH made man. They are orthodox.

Faith is not to know all the answers. Why ask why in this case?