Barry Bennett - Did God Do This to Me?: And Other Important Questions

The Harrison House Vision

Proclaiming the truth and the power

Of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

With excellence;

Challenging Christians to

Live victoriously,

Grow spiritually,

Know God intimately.

All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Did God Do This to Me?
And Other Important Questions

ISBN: 978-1-68031-180-8

Copyright 2017 by Barry Bennett

Charis Bible College

850 Elkton Dr.

Colorado Springs, CO 80907

www.charisbiblecollege.org

Published by Harrison House Publishers

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145

www.harrisonhouse.com

Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Foreword

Barry Bennett is a gifted teacher and also serves as the Dean of Students at Charis Bible College Colorado. You may think I am trying to promote a book as you read the following statement/foreword, and admittedly, that is true. I do say with complete honesty that he is one of the favorite teachers among our staff, faculty and guest speakers. This is not to be taken lightly because I believe some of the most gifted teachers in the world visit Charis Bible College. I have asked myself what makes him such a hit with the students. I believe it is a combination of his intense hunger to study the Word and know the truth, mixed with many, many years of ministry experience.

In addition to being a seasoned minister, one of the things I admire about Barry is his commitment to family. He is a devoted husband, father and grandfather and is a great example to the body of Christ. Besides having his earthly family, he has many spiritual children who look to him for guidance and interpretation of the Word.

Many teachers in the body of Christ are careful to live what they preach. While this is appreciated and admirable, I think a more excellent way is to preach what you live. It is more passionate and reveals conviction. This is Barry.

I pray this book is a blessing to you and answers some questions that you have pondered in your heart.

May this simply be a tool the Holy Spirit uses as a guide for further revelation of His vast love for you.

Sincerely,

Gary J. Luecke, Vice President

Charis Bible College and
Andrew Wommack Ministries International

Introduction

If God is love, how can He permit such tragedy in the world? Is He judging us for sin?

These questions and many others fill the minds of both Christians and non-Christians. How can we understand the nature of God as it relates to the realities of suffering we see in the world?

My desire to answer questions was born out of watching well-known Christian leaders on TV as they were interviewed about tragedies and disasters. To my amazement, they could not explain why God allowed bad things to happen. The opportunity to reach millions of people with the revelation of Gods character, nature and love was lost. The usual answers that I heard would always include the well-worn phrase, God has everything under control.

Without realizing it, these leaders were blaming God for the suffering of millions around the world. If a self-destructing world is an example of Gods control, then why should we expect the lost to believe in this Christian God?

Learning to answer these kinds of questions and many others became the focus of my teaching ministry. People have questions, and frequently these questions are left unanswered in our churches and ministries.

During my first three years of employment at Andrew Wommack Ministries, I was given the opportunity to answer questions that were sent in from around the world in response to Andrews television and radio broadcasts. As time went by, I realized that most people have the same basic questions.

When I began teaching at Charis Bible College, I was given the opportunity to develop some new courses. I immediately decided to create a course entitled Answers to Important Questions. Its now a second-year course that is taught during two terms. Some of the questions covered in the course are included in this booklet, because these questions are some of the most frequently asked.

My answers may not be satisfactory for all, and in some cases can be considered as suggestions to ponder. More could certainly be written about each topic, but my hope is that the information contained within will be helpful to the reader. God has answers to our questions! The more we get to know Him, the more His truth will dispel our doubts, and our faith in our loving Father will grow.

Barry Bennett

Why Did God Create Man Knowing He Would Sin?

Gods purpose is to have fellowship with like beings, created in His image, who love and serve Him from their own desire and free will. His original vision was to fill the earth with sons of God and extend the Garden of Eden over the entire face of the earth.

Yet, a free will son or daughter needed choices in order to truly be free, so God placed an optionthe Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evilin the Garden giving man the freedom to choose.

God also knew that man would make the wrong choice and choose independence. God could either give up on His desire for sons and daughters created in His image who loved Him by choice. Or, He could proceed with a plan that would provide redemption for man after he failed and give him the opportunity to return to God of his own free will.

Had God decided to not make man in His image, He would have been limited in His fellowship to angels, which do not bear His image. Gods desire to fill the earth with sons and daughters would have been extinguished.

Therefore, having faith that many would indeed come to Him and live for Him of their own choice, and that He would have a family of sons and daughters through the love He showed us in Jesus, God accepted the risk (so to speak). He continued with His plan so eventually He would have a creation that reflects His goodness, love and glory.

It is Gods goodness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4), and it is His heart that no one perish (2 Peter 3:9). He has loved the whole world (John 3:16), has reconciled Himself to sinful man and is not imputing our sins unto us (2 Corinthians 5:19). All that remains is for man to receive His love and join Him in fellowship and eternal life (2 Corinthians 5:1921).

Eye has not seen nor ear heard the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:910). We have all eternity to enjoy with God, who is love, and no doubt the universe will be filled with His children, abundant life and glory.

Is God Sovereign?
(Did God Do This to Me?)