How could a God of "love" allow this horrific ordeal?
.
Let's review some basic truths.
There is a God. You have to be one short of a coaster set to believe everything around us happened randomly, by chance. Ro 1:20
The Bible is the only book that claims to be the written Word of God. It's God's gift to the world and it says God's name is Jesus. Not Mohammad, not Allah, not some Buddhist Monk. John 14:9
Jesus/God created the heavens and the earth, and amazingly, created humans in His image with freedom to choose. With "choice," man sins and therefore is separated from God and forbidden from heaven. Gen 1:1, 27; 2:17
Jesus came to the earth and gave His life to save

mankind from our personal sin and destruction. Then He defeated death by rising from the dead, and departed... promising to return again to the earth where He will reign as King of Earth from Jerusalem.
John 3:16; 14:3
You can choose to ignore those facts. But that doesn't make them any less true. Ps 111:10, Pro 1:7; Ps 119:105
Fast-forward to this century.
For the last sixty years or so we've allowed our government to phase "Jesus/God" out of our schools, our local, state and national governments,

and most businesses. We've said,
"We don't need You" to the God who created us.
Ps 9:17
So what's the outcome of our Jesus-less schools, government and businesses? Let's see.
* We've murdered over 60 million American defenseless babies whose lives were no less important than our own. Is 42:24
* We encourage the Biblical sin of homosexuality.
1 Cor 6:9-10
* Our churches have watered down Biblical truths and tickled our ears.
1 Tim 4:3
* Our national debt to foreigners is at crisis levels. Pro 22:7
* Our government grinds slowly away from capitalistic freedoms and toward socialism--a stone's throw from communism. 2Thes 3:10
* Our families are torn apart by pornography, divorces and debt. Mt 6:22; Mal 2:16; Pro 22:7
* Our children have no understanding of their purpose in life. Acts 20:27; 1 Thes 4:7; Pro 22:6

We, as a nation, began as a people acknowledging God and the Bible. God chose to bless our nation mightily,
"a golden cup in the Lord's hand." We were even used by God to protect Israel as she returned to her land in the latter days.
Deut 28:2; Jer 51:7; Ezek 37But the crafty Satan worked hard to get our eyes off Jesus and instead focused on "self." Satan

succeeded and we told God to leave us alone, and He has.
2 Tim 3:1-5So we shouldn't be surprised to see our economy in shambles, our cities going bankrupt, horrendous crime rampant in both our government and on our streets, or even that our children are killing each other in movie theaters. We are simply reaping what we have sown. 2 Cor 9:6
What's the answer?
Looking only at the symptoms, there are a lot of people who believe the answer is more governmental control... i.e. like more gun control to stop the shootings. But that's addressing the symptom, not the problem.
 |
Israeli Men and women have mandatory military service-- so women learn to shop with their rifles.
|
If a gunman stood up in a movie theater in Israel and started shooting, he would maybe get off one or two shots but he would be gunned down by almost everyone else in the room. Israel has no "gun control" and few problems with guns. Guns don't kill people. People kill people. Guns are not the problem, people are the problem.
Some people think getting a new President and changing the leadership in Washington is the answer. But to do so is like putting a band-aid on a fatal wound. It might slow the process, but the root cause is not being addressed. The slide toward paganism has occurred during both Republican and Democratic administrations. Deut 6:13, 24: 8:6
The only thing that will truly help, the only thing

that will change the direction of our country and stop the slide into rampant paganism, is to understand the root problem is spiritual and act accordingly. We must repent, which means change directions.
Jer 15:7
We must publicly and unabashedly acknowledge that Jesus is the only true God. John 10:30
We must restore the Bible as the supreme authority in everything--government, homes and churches. 2 Tim 3:16-17
We must acknowledge the Bible's definition of sin and desire to live within Biblical constraints.
John 8:11
We must desire to revolve our lives around what He wants and what He teaches us through His unbridled Word--that this world is just a vapor, and the next world is what's important. Rev 21:1; Heb 12:2
We must teach the power of the shed blood of Christ in our churches, without reservation, defending the accuracy of the Bible. 1 Pet 3:15
We must share the truth of the necessity of Biblical salvation with our friends, family and neighbors. Col 4:3; Pro 2:6
But most of all.....
Parents--not churches, not Sunday School, not Vacation Bible School--must teach their children the Word of God, morning, noon and night. Deut 6:7, 11:19; Psa 78:5
"For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments" Psa. 78:5-7
The best way to get something done is to start. We need to start NOW with our kids. Parents MUST begin teaching the Bible to their children every day... morning, noon and night. Deut 6:7
The most important thing in the world is for a child to know scripture and grow up trusting Jesus for everything. Having a Christ-based identity will serve them well for their life on this earth and the world to come. If your children are grown, teach your grandchildren. John 15:3-5
Look for opportunities every moment of every day to share scriptural insights within your sphere of influence. And never forget that you are either witnessing or fellowshipping with everyone you meet. Col 4:3
So, back to the original question, "Why would a loving God allow a god-less man to enter a movie theater and open fire on innocent men, women and children?"
The better question would be,
"Why did God allow the shooter's gun to jam and not kill 50 or 100 people?"
Or even,
"Why does God allow us to have anything good in this life when we have all rebelled against His loving authority?"
Bad things happen because we are sinners and God gives us the incredible gift of choice. We're not robots. We can choose to serve God, or we can make ourselves god. There is no protection in the latter. There is great protection in the former. So in this life, there is good and evil. For the Believer, God allows all things to work together. Good can come out of that movie theater's carnage. Ro 3:23; 8:28; Josh 24:15
For some 60 years we have, as a nation, acted like there is no God. We have acted arrogantly. We have chosen this path. We must change directions, understanding that there is a God and we ARE accountable to Him. All blessings derive from God. Gen 49:25; Deut 28:2
"The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness" Psa. 33:16-18
It's not too late!

Ninevah was slated for horrible destruction. But when the people of Ninevah understood the truth and repented, God delayed their calamity for over 100 years. God answers prayers. Book of Jonah
Pray for your family. Pray for your friends. Pray for your nation. Make God the priority in your life!
Ps 143
----------------------------
We have a great Steeling the Mind DVD presentation that deals more in-depth with the above subject. It's by Dave Reagan and is entitled "America's Painful Divorce from God." You can download and watch it for $2.95. Click here for more info or to order. Use the discount code: 812DD when you check out to receive your discount price.