Does God Kill Us?

[Christianbookworm]

He can call you home anytime He wants too. Why does that sound better? Even though I essentially said yes to the question?

[KingsGambit]

It's simple to demonstrate that God does kill people in some instances (Genesis 38:7 - Er was a wicked man, so the Lord killed him) but unless you are a high Calvinist committed to divine determinism, there is no reason to think that this occurs in all instances. Think about when Stephen was stoned. Right before he died, he prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them". (Acts 7:60). Stephen acknowledged that the people stoning him were responsible, and were liable to be charged with a sin. I do not believe God is the author of sin, and I don't think divine determinists have a good way out of their dilemma here.

[Christianbookworm]

He could turn a murder into an attempted murder, if He wanted too. But, where would the line be drawn? Sometimes He does intervene(e.g.) Daniel in the lion's den, the three men in the fiery furnace, the crossing of the Red Sea), but not always. And there's a difference between a mercy kill when the body stops functioning and a judgement.

[Rushing Jaws]

When an individual dies is that because God decides to take him/her out on the particular day/time. Or are most deaths simply random - the on going result of the fall and our mortal nature?

Answering the title: No.

[Leonhard]

Answering the title: No.

Then what did God do to Ananais and Saphira? God has more than once, both in the New Testament and in the Old Testament, caused, directly, the death of humans, and done so fully righteously.

[Sparko]

Then what did God do to Ananais and Saphira? God has more than once, both in the New Testament and in the Old Testament, caused, directly, the death of humans, and done so fully righteously.

He takes our earthly mortal lives, but we all live on. Just our destinations differ.

He created us and has the right to determine our lives and deaths.

[seer]

Then what did God do to Ananais and Saphira? God has more than once, both in the New Testament and in the Old Testament, caused, directly, the death of humans, and done so fully righteously.

I know God does take people out, but some Christians say that when any person dies, even a kid, it was God's will. That God ordains the death of all men at a specific time.

[Sparko]

I know God does take people out, but some Christians say that when any person dies, even a kid, it was God's will. That God ordains the death of all men at a specific time.

[seer]

So yes, God kills us all...

[Sparko]

So yes, God kills us all...

He at least permits our deaths and he knows exactly when and how we will die and nothing happens without his will or permission.

[Leonhard]

I know God does take people out, but some Christians say that when any person dies, even a kid, it was God's will. That God ordains the death of all men at a specific time.

I always found it comforting. I know that when I go, it'll be God's will. We just don't understand his will, and this side of eternity we can't. At least when God permits the death of children, I think we have good hope that they will reach heaven.

An old scandinavian fantasy story, written by Astrid Lindgren, had an older brother comforting his younger brother (who was dying of an ailment), that all that would happen is that he'd leave his shell behind and go to a land of light, while the big brother would have to toil and work in the sweat of his brow for sixty more years before he'd be worthy to come with him.

On another note; Its a great work of fiction btw, featuring both of them journeying through magical kingdoms and fighting off an evil dragon.

It's called "The Brothers Lionheart"