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Good God: The One We Want to Believe In but Are Afraid to Embrace
If we are honest, at some point we all struggle with the question, "Why does God allow pain, suffering, and evil?"
- GenresNonfiction
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 8, 2016
Miles' book is a defense of his concept of a good God. For me, it just left too many questions unanswered.
Several verses in the Bible describe God is good. But how do we define “good”? Who defines “good”? Miles seems to identify a good God as one who would never cause us to suffer. He writes, “...suffering is never for a specific God ordained purpose.” (69) That is, God would never allow our suffering so that something good might come of it.
How we define “good” makes all the difference. Suppose this scene: A father sees his toddler running to a busy street and manages to tackle him just short of the rushing cars. In the process, knees and elbows get skinned. The child wails, “You hurt me! You're not good!” Or, suppose the toddler is getting a life saving shot from a doctor. As the needle pricks the skin, the toddler cries, “You hurt me! You're not good!” Do we accept the toddler's definition of “good”? Is there a higher definition of good that has a more comprehensive viewpoint?
So it does make a difference who defines “good” and how it is defined. Joseph's story and his conclusion in Genesis 50:20 does seem to indicate that what we would generally consider harmful and painful might, in fact, be part of God's intention for “good.”
Miles writes, “Ironically, the reality of the existence of hell actually gives evidence to the goodness of God.” And, “If hell is not real then God is much worse than we thought.” (187) Does that mean that somebody's suffering is part of God's goodness, as long as it is not we Christians suffering?
Finishing the book, I was left confused. What does it really mean that God is sovereign? Miles believes God is sovereign. “He holds supreme power and he operates in supreme authority.” (54) But, apparently, that does not mean that God has supreme control, that He controls everything. He says that idea of sovereignty is not biblical. Miles labels that belief “extreme sovereignty” and writes, “The extreme sovereignty of God doctrine is the most harmful message that has evolved out of the church in recent history.” (51)
Miles uses the example of a “sovereign” nation. The nation is sovereign over those within its borders but not those in other nations. So, God has the ability to rule Himself...but not others? The analogy breaks down because in Miles' example, there are other nations, other sovereigns. With God, there is no “other.” If a sovereign is sovereign over all within the kingdom, in God's case that is everything as we know it for God created it all.
Is God sovereign over nature? Miles notes that in the Old Testament God used nature for judgment. Now we are under grace and God no longer uses nature in that way. Now natural disasters are the result of the laws of nature, Miles says, implying God is not sovereign over nature or chooses to restrict His sovereignty over it.
First of all, I question whether God no longer does acts of judgment in this era of grace. In Acts 12:23, Herod was struck down by an angel, eaten by worms and died because he did not give praise to God. Then there is Elymas, struck blind by the word of Paul because he was perverting the ways of the Lord. (Acts 13:11) And, lest we think such judgment comes only on unbelievers, there is the incident of Ananias and Sapphira, struck dead because they lied to God. (Acts 5) So it would seem that God still does acts of judgment in our era of grace.
Second, I question whether God no longer exhibits control over nature. Jesus calmed the storm. After the resurrection, Jesus provided for a miraculous catch of fish. The disciples healed various diseases, through the power of the Holy Spirit. So God has control over nature in this era of grace. God could stop a deadly storm. God could heal diseases. So why doesn't He, if He never wants us to suffer? Miles writes, “I believe that the absence of God's power in the lives of many believers today boils down to a lack of knowledge regarding the true heart of God.” (192) Does that mean God does not heal us because we do not have an experiential knowledge of Him?
Miles indicates that some of the suffering we experience is because of our choices. I understand that – the life long smoker suffering from lung cancer. We might suffer because of other's choices – a woman raped because of the choices of another. But there is suffering from “natural disasters,” such as a child killed in a sudden and unexpected tornado. Since Jesus stilled the storm with the disciples, He could have stilled the tornado. Why didn't He?
Miles reminds us of the role of Satan in our suffering. But I am left with questions there too. Miles says that Satan usurped man's authority over the earth at the Fall. However, he also says Christ “disarmed” Satan at the cross, ending his regime. (Col. 2:15) Satan would like us to believe that his power is still in tact. So is some of our suffering because we are not recognizing Satan is defeated? Is Satan somehow deceiving us into thinking we are suffering? How do we correct that deception?
Miles encourages us to “...reap the benefits of our great salvation, which, among other things, includes healing.” (105) But then why aren't we always healed when we and/or others ask for it? Is it lack of faith? That can't be since Jesus (sovereignly) raised Lazarus when Mary, Martha and the others had no faith. In fact, they didn't even understand what Jesus was talking about at the time, thinking He meant the resurrection at the end of time. So God will heal (or raise from the dead) when there is no faith involved. How do we realize the healing that is a benefit of our salvation?
Miles calls into question our understanding of God as all-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful, saying the Bible never mentions these terms. (50) Miles admits, “...God has no limits except those that he places on himself.” (55) He adds, “Although theoretically God could know know all things, Scripture clearly indicates that he doesn't, especially as it relates to man's exercise of free will.” (57) That brought many questions to mind. Does that mean God is surprised by our choices? He doesn't know what tomorrow will bring? How does He do prophecy? How does God, “who has no limits” actually limit His knowledge? How can it be said that Scripture “clearly” indicates God doesn't know everything when Christians have understood that God knows everything, past, present, and future, for centuries?
Miles indicates that God's glory and goodness are synonymous. He uses the story of Moses in Exodus 33:12-20. The way Miles tells it, Moses asks to see God's glory, God says He will do all Moses asked and then shows Moses His goodness. Miles concludes God's glory is synonymous to His goodness. However, when God says He will do all Moses asked, that is verse 17 and refers to all Moses asked prior to that. Then Moses asks to see God's glory, God replies that He will cause His goodness to pass before Moses. Linguistically, this is like my asking to see your art collection and you replying that you will show me your Renoir. Just as I could not equate your Renoir with your entire art collection, the goodness of God cannot be equated with His glory. God's glory includes so much more, as implied by Exodus 33:20. There are aspects of God Moses could not experience and live. We know God is light (1 John 1:5). God is holy (Revelation 4:8). How do those and the other attributes of God relate to His goodness?
There are a few other questions I have, especially regarding Scriptures Miles does not address. How do explain that Jesus said He did not come to bring peace but a sword? (Matt. 10:34) What do we do with Job 38:2 which seems to indicate God had “plans” in all of Job's experiences? What do we do with Daniel 2:21 and 4:25 which say God controls the nations, giving them to rulers as He desires? What do we do with (the New Testament passage) Hebrews 12:29, telling us our God is a consuming fire? What do we do with Paul's instruction in Romans 12:19, to allow for God's wrath, that God will avenge? Why would Paul, in Romans 5:3-4, glory in his sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, then character, then hope? What does Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 1:5 about abundantly sharing in the sufferings of Christ? Why does James 1:2 tell us to consider it joy when we face trials of many kinds? What do we do with Amos 3:6 where God declares that, if disaster has happened, He has done it? What do we do with Ephesians 1:11 that tells us that God works everything according to His will?
How do we live with Romans 9 and Paul's illustration of the potter and the clay? Paul seems to indicate God shows mercy on whom He wants and not on others. (v. 18) It seems to indicate God had a purpose for the lives of Jacob and Esau, a purpose put in play long before they were born. (v. 11) What do we do with the idea that God shows His wrath to make His glory known? (vv. 22,23)
The old question remains: If God is good and powerful, then why is there suffering? I feel Miles does not sufficiently answer the question. Is Satan causing the evil? But Miles says Satan has been stripped of his authority and now hides behind deception. (79) So is Satan fooling us into thinking we are sick or suffering? Is my pain merely a deception?
Can we ever really figure God out and understand Him? Paul tells us our knowledge is incomplete. It is like we are looking through a smokey piece of glass. (1 Cor. 12:12) Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God's ways and thoughts are very much higher than ours. Can we really understand God and define Him by our own thinking about goodness?
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
Several verses in the Bible describe God is good. But how do we define “good”? Who defines “good”? Miles seems to identify a good God as one who would never cause us to suffer. He writes, “...suffering is never for a specific God ordained purpose.” (69) That is, God would never allow our suffering so that something good might come of it.
How we define “good” makes all the difference. Suppose this scene: A father sees his toddler running to a busy street and manages to tackle him just short of the rushing cars. In the process, knees and elbows get skinned. The child wails, “You hurt me! You're not good!” Or, suppose the toddler is getting a life saving shot from a doctor. As the needle pricks the skin, the toddler cries, “You hurt me! You're not good!” Do we accept the toddler's definition of “good”? Is there a higher definition of good that has a more comprehensive viewpoint?
So it does make a difference who defines “good” and how it is defined. Joseph's story and his conclusion in Genesis 50:20 does seem to indicate that what we would generally consider harmful and painful might, in fact, be part of God's intention for “good.”
Miles writes, “Ironically, the reality of the existence of hell actually gives evidence to the goodness of God.” And, “If hell is not real then God is much worse than we thought.” (187) Does that mean that somebody's suffering is part of God's goodness, as long as it is not we Christians suffering?
Finishing the book, I was left confused. What does it really mean that God is sovereign? Miles believes God is sovereign. “He holds supreme power and he operates in supreme authority.” (54) But, apparently, that does not mean that God has supreme control, that He controls everything. He says that idea of sovereignty is not biblical. Miles labels that belief “extreme sovereignty” and writes, “The extreme sovereignty of God doctrine is the most harmful message that has evolved out of the church in recent history.” (51)
Miles uses the example of a “sovereign” nation. The nation is sovereign over those within its borders but not those in other nations. So, God has the ability to rule Himself...but not others? The analogy breaks down because in Miles' example, there are other nations, other sovereigns. With God, there is no “other.” If a sovereign is sovereign over all within the kingdom, in God's case that is everything as we know it for God created it all.
Is God sovereign over nature? Miles notes that in the Old Testament God used nature for judgment. Now we are under grace and God no longer uses nature in that way. Now natural disasters are the result of the laws of nature, Miles says, implying God is not sovereign over nature or chooses to restrict His sovereignty over it.
First of all, I question whether God no longer does acts of judgment in this era of grace. In Acts 12:23, Herod was struck down by an angel, eaten by worms and died because he did not give praise to God. Then there is Elymas, struck blind by the word of Paul because he was perverting the ways of the Lord. (Acts 13:11) And, lest we think such judgment comes only on unbelievers, there is the incident of Ananias and Sapphira, struck dead because they lied to God. (Acts 5) So it would seem that God still does acts of judgment in our era of grace.
Second, I question whether God no longer exhibits control over nature. Jesus calmed the storm. After the resurrection, Jesus provided for a miraculous catch of fish. The disciples healed various diseases, through the power of the Holy Spirit. So God has control over nature in this era of grace. God could stop a deadly storm. God could heal diseases. So why doesn't He, if He never wants us to suffer? Miles writes, “I believe that the absence of God's power in the lives of many believers today boils down to a lack of knowledge regarding the true heart of God.” (192) Does that mean God does not heal us because we do not have an experiential knowledge of Him?
Miles indicates that some of the suffering we experience is because of our choices. I understand that – the life long smoker suffering from lung cancer. We might suffer because of other's choices – a woman raped because of the choices of another. But there is suffering from “natural disasters,” such as a child killed in a sudden and unexpected tornado. Since Jesus stilled the storm with the disciples, He could have stilled the tornado. Why didn't He?
Miles reminds us of the role of Satan in our suffering. But I am left with questions there too. Miles says that Satan usurped man's authority over the earth at the Fall. However, he also says Christ “disarmed” Satan at the cross, ending his regime. (Col. 2:15) Satan would like us to believe that his power is still in tact. So is some of our suffering because we are not recognizing Satan is defeated? Is Satan somehow deceiving us into thinking we are suffering? How do we correct that deception?
Miles encourages us to “...reap the benefits of our great salvation, which, among other things, includes healing.” (105) But then why aren't we always healed when we and/or others ask for it? Is it lack of faith? That can't be since Jesus (sovereignly) raised Lazarus when Mary, Martha and the others had no faith. In fact, they didn't even understand what Jesus was talking about at the time, thinking He meant the resurrection at the end of time. So God will heal (or raise from the dead) when there is no faith involved. How do we realize the healing that is a benefit of our salvation?
Miles calls into question our understanding of God as all-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful, saying the Bible never mentions these terms. (50) Miles admits, “...God has no limits except those that he places on himself.” (55) He adds, “Although theoretically God could know know all things, Scripture clearly indicates that he doesn't, especially as it relates to man's exercise of free will.” (57) That brought many questions to mind. Does that mean God is surprised by our choices? He doesn't know what tomorrow will bring? How does He do prophecy? How does God, “who has no limits” actually limit His knowledge? How can it be said that Scripture “clearly” indicates God doesn't know everything when Christians have understood that God knows everything, past, present, and future, for centuries?
Miles indicates that God's glory and goodness are synonymous. He uses the story of Moses in Exodus 33:12-20. The way Miles tells it, Moses asks to see God's glory, God says He will do all Moses asked and then shows Moses His goodness. Miles concludes God's glory is synonymous to His goodness. However, when God says He will do all Moses asked, that is verse 17 and refers to all Moses asked prior to that. Then Moses asks to see God's glory, God replies that He will cause His goodness to pass before Moses. Linguistically, this is like my asking to see your art collection and you replying that you will show me your Renoir. Just as I could not equate your Renoir with your entire art collection, the goodness of God cannot be equated with His glory. God's glory includes so much more, as implied by Exodus 33:20. There are aspects of God Moses could not experience and live. We know God is light (1 John 1:5). God is holy (Revelation 4:8). How do those and the other attributes of God relate to His goodness?
There are a few other questions I have, especially regarding Scriptures Miles does not address. How do explain that Jesus said He did not come to bring peace but a sword? (Matt. 10:34) What do we do with Job 38:2 which seems to indicate God had “plans” in all of Job's experiences? What do we do with Daniel 2:21 and 4:25 which say God controls the nations, giving them to rulers as He desires? What do we do with (the New Testament passage) Hebrews 12:29, telling us our God is a consuming fire? What do we do with Paul's instruction in Romans 12:19, to allow for God's wrath, that God will avenge? Why would Paul, in Romans 5:3-4, glory in his sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, then character, then hope? What does Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 1:5 about abundantly sharing in the sufferings of Christ? Why does James 1:2 tell us to consider it joy when we face trials of many kinds? What do we do with Amos 3:6 where God declares that, if disaster has happened, He has done it? What do we do with Ephesians 1:11 that tells us that God works everything according to His will?
How do we live with Romans 9 and Paul's illustration of the potter and the clay? Paul seems to indicate God shows mercy on whom He wants and not on others. (v. 18) It seems to indicate God had a purpose for the lives of Jacob and Esau, a purpose put in play long before they were born. (v. 11) What do we do with the idea that God shows His wrath to make His glory known? (vv. 22,23)
The old question remains: If God is good and powerful, then why is there suffering? I feel Miles does not sufficiently answer the question. Is Satan causing the evil? But Miles says Satan has been stripped of his authority and now hides behind deception. (79) So is Satan fooling us into thinking we are sick or suffering? Is my pain merely a deception?
Can we ever really figure God out and understand Him? Paul tells us our knowledge is incomplete. It is like we are looking through a smokey piece of glass. (1 Cor. 12:12) Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God's ways and thoughts are very much higher than ours. Can we really understand God and define Him by our own thinking about goodness?
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
April 14, 2022
When I read something from a source with which I do not agree, I want to give the author the benefit of the doubt and think that they see things the way they do for a reason, perhaps a reason that I'm not aware of, that justifies their point of view.
In this case, Miles sees God the way he does because he is trying to make God fit his understanding. Later in the book, Miles even explains the method of interpretation that appears to color in the nature of God for him: "One litmus test I use in discerning whether a doctrine is biblical is to take said doctrine to the extreme. Allow it to play out in its fullest sense and see if it still aligns with what you know about God." (p. 119)
Apparently prompted by personal questions and an unwillingness to accept the nature of God as it was taught to him, he has adopted a view of God that (to him) means God is "neither responsible for your pain, nor is he allowing it. In fact, he is against it and wants nothing more than to prevent it." (p. 6) Miles' entire argument is based on his belief that man is an adequate arbiter of good and bad. He believes that because of Adam and Eve's eating of the fruit of the knowledge of Good and Evil, man is fully qualified to judge between good and bad, and thus God cannot be good if his actions don't appear to us to be good. Miles' conclusion, then, is that God cannot possibly be responsible for the things that we see as bad (earthquakes, tornados, cancer, etc.), because even saying God "allowed" these things seems to make him culpable for wrong-doing.
Rather, Miles finds it better to believe in a God that relinquishes his right to sovereignly direct the operation of the universe and chooses to leave it in the hands of human free will (which causes evil such as rape and murder) and the chaos of the universe (which causes evil such as natural disasters and tragic accidents).
To solve the tension between God's sovereignty and the existence of evil in the world, Miles has concocted a God that is less than sovereign; not because he is weak, but because he has willingly handed over a part of his sovereignty to natural processes of freewill and chaos theory. But Miles does not address the elephant in the room - that the very act of God's supposed choice to relinquish control over the universe implies that he is still "allowing" evil to happen.
In this case, Miles sees God the way he does because he is trying to make God fit his understanding. Later in the book, Miles even explains the method of interpretation that appears to color in the nature of God for him: "One litmus test I use in discerning whether a doctrine is biblical is to take said doctrine to the extreme. Allow it to play out in its fullest sense and see if it still aligns with what you know about God." (p. 119)
Apparently prompted by personal questions and an unwillingness to accept the nature of God as it was taught to him, he has adopted a view of God that (to him) means God is "neither responsible for your pain, nor is he allowing it. In fact, he is against it and wants nothing more than to prevent it." (p. 6) Miles' entire argument is based on his belief that man is an adequate arbiter of good and bad. He believes that because of Adam and Eve's eating of the fruit of the knowledge of Good and Evil, man is fully qualified to judge between good and bad, and thus God cannot be good if his actions don't appear to us to be good. Miles' conclusion, then, is that God cannot possibly be responsible for the things that we see as bad (earthquakes, tornados, cancer, etc.), because even saying God "allowed" these things seems to make him culpable for wrong-doing.
Rather, Miles finds it better to believe in a God that relinquishes his right to sovereignly direct the operation of the universe and chooses to leave it in the hands of human free will (which causes evil such as rape and murder) and the chaos of the universe (which causes evil such as natural disasters and tragic accidents).
To solve the tension between God's sovereignty and the existence of evil in the world, Miles has concocted a God that is less than sovereign; not because he is weak, but because he has willingly handed over a part of his sovereignty to natural processes of freewill and chaos theory. But Miles does not address the elephant in the room - that the very act of God's supposed choice to relinquish control over the universe implies that he is still "allowing" evil to happen.
March 8, 2016
All my life, I have had one major health problems after another. And financial problems to go on top of that. Nothing in my life has been easy. Every time something goes wrong in my life I ask God “Why are you doing this to me? What have I done to be given this hard life? God, what are you wanting me to learn?”
I haven’t gotten an answer except another problem to deal with. When I talk to my friends and random people on the streets they tell me, “God only gives you what you can handle.” or “Things happen for a reason.” or “This will just bring you closer to God.”
I have gotten to believe that God is a cruel God. I am not saying I don’t believe in God and that I have turned away from Him because I haven’t. All I am saying is religion has told me that I am a bad person because I don’t know scripture by heart, I haven’t even read the whole Bible, I don’t meditate on scripture and most importantly I don’t believe the Bible is the word of God. Yes, I said that. Why do I say this? Because if the Bible is the word of God then why is there so many versions and so many interpretations?
When I received Miles’s book I thought I am going to read another book that tells me I’m a bad person because I don’t do A, B, and C. I was greatly surprised to find myself sucked into Lucas Miles’s book. When it comes to religious book that doesn’t happen. I ended up reading the book in one sitting. He was able to connect me back into truly believing God is a good God and not a cruel and punishing God unlike what society has taught me. Through his book, I now feel like I’m not the only one who has almost turned away from God because of how religion has made Him out to be. Good God, made me feel so much better about God. I couldn’t put the book down. It was easy to read and easy to follow. Lucas Miles’s explanations of how we have been misinterpreting the Bible’s scripture was well thought out and easy to follow even for a person, such as myself, who doesn’t know a lot about the Bible other than the basics that were taught in vacation Bible school.
In Good God, Miles explains how we wrongfully have been blaming God for our world’s disasters and our own problems, even though he isn’t the one causing it. We tell each other and ourselves that:
– “God does everything for a reason.”
– “He is in control.”
– “He only gives us what we can handle.”
– “ God did this to bring you closer to him.”
In Good God, Miles disagrees with this. He explains it is not our fault for believing this because scripture can be confusing and messy. Humankind has been misinterpreting the Bible for years. He takes scripture and explains how we have taken it and misunderstood it. God is good and wouldn’t want us to suffer. I will be honest this was really hard to wrap my head around that just because I was taught God caused my problems for a reason. The more I thought about what Lucas Miles states in the book the more I realize he is right that God doesn’t go out and create our problems and disasters because he is a great God. He loves us and doesn’t want us to suffer. Good God, explains how our problems and disasters are caused by our own choices not God’s. Yes, certain things are out of our control such as illnesses or natural disasters or are they? Could us building factories and playing with what is in our food be the cause of so many illnesses and disasters? Just think about it.
Miles states, “Everything does happen for a reason but doesn’t mean God is behind each and every reason. To see all our situations as ‘God’s plan’ only strips people of their responsibility to choose, but it also villainies God and blames him for bad circumstances we experience in the world (p.60).” I would greatly advise you to get his book and read it even if you may not agree with him.
This is my belief not Lucas Miles!! I also believe we write our own plan before being born. We determine what we want to learn in this life and create events that will teach us what we wanted to learn. You can disagree with me, but when I passed away a few years ago and saw Heaven I was told that by my Angel.
After reading his book, I was reassured that God is an amazing good God. I feel that he isn’t this cruel and punishing God as religious organizations have made Him out to be. I’m not saying religious organizations/churches go out to purposely make God look like a cruel God. I now understand after reading this book, it is because they have interpreted scripture wrong. I am not saying Lucas Miles is correct either. Who knows in this world. All I am saying is Miles’s book reassured me that God is a good God and cares about me. This book will forever be in my library of books and suggest it be in yours too. We, humans, have to stop blaming our problems on God. Instead, we need to start taking responsibility for our own choices and blame Satan for tempting us. Again, I would highly recommend getting Good God by Lucas Miles. This would be a great book for Bible Study or any church event. Or even a book group.
https://stephanieslifeofdetermination...
I haven’t gotten an answer except another problem to deal with. When I talk to my friends and random people on the streets they tell me, “God only gives you what you can handle.” or “Things happen for a reason.” or “This will just bring you closer to God.”
I have gotten to believe that God is a cruel God. I am not saying I don’t believe in God and that I have turned away from Him because I haven’t. All I am saying is religion has told me that I am a bad person because I don’t know scripture by heart, I haven’t even read the whole Bible, I don’t meditate on scripture and most importantly I don’t believe the Bible is the word of God. Yes, I said that. Why do I say this? Because if the Bible is the word of God then why is there so many versions and so many interpretations?
When I received Miles’s book I thought I am going to read another book that tells me I’m a bad person because I don’t do A, B, and C. I was greatly surprised to find myself sucked into Lucas Miles’s book. When it comes to religious book that doesn’t happen. I ended up reading the book in one sitting. He was able to connect me back into truly believing God is a good God and not a cruel and punishing God unlike what society has taught me. Through his book, I now feel like I’m not the only one who has almost turned away from God because of how religion has made Him out to be. Good God, made me feel so much better about God. I couldn’t put the book down. It was easy to read and easy to follow. Lucas Miles’s explanations of how we have been misinterpreting the Bible’s scripture was well thought out and easy to follow even for a person, such as myself, who doesn’t know a lot about the Bible other than the basics that were taught in vacation Bible school.
In Good God, Miles explains how we wrongfully have been blaming God for our world’s disasters and our own problems, even though he isn’t the one causing it. We tell each other and ourselves that:
– “God does everything for a reason.”
– “He is in control.”
– “He only gives us what we can handle.”
– “ God did this to bring you closer to him.”
In Good God, Miles disagrees with this. He explains it is not our fault for believing this because scripture can be confusing and messy. Humankind has been misinterpreting the Bible for years. He takes scripture and explains how we have taken it and misunderstood it. God is good and wouldn’t want us to suffer. I will be honest this was really hard to wrap my head around that just because I was taught God caused my problems for a reason. The more I thought about what Lucas Miles states in the book the more I realize he is right that God doesn’t go out and create our problems and disasters because he is a great God. He loves us and doesn’t want us to suffer. Good God, explains how our problems and disasters are caused by our own choices not God’s. Yes, certain things are out of our control such as illnesses or natural disasters or are they? Could us building factories and playing with what is in our food be the cause of so many illnesses and disasters? Just think about it.
Miles states, “Everything does happen for a reason but doesn’t mean God is behind each and every reason. To see all our situations as ‘God’s plan’ only strips people of their responsibility to choose, but it also villainies God and blames him for bad circumstances we experience in the world (p.60).” I would greatly advise you to get his book and read it even if you may not agree with him.
This is my belief not Lucas Miles!! I also believe we write our own plan before being born. We determine what we want to learn in this life and create events that will teach us what we wanted to learn. You can disagree with me, but when I passed away a few years ago and saw Heaven I was told that by my Angel.
After reading his book, I was reassured that God is an amazing good God. I feel that he isn’t this cruel and punishing God as religious organizations have made Him out to be. I’m not saying religious organizations/churches go out to purposely make God look like a cruel God. I now understand after reading this book, it is because they have interpreted scripture wrong. I am not saying Lucas Miles is correct either. Who knows in this world. All I am saying is Miles’s book reassured me that God is a good God and cares about me. This book will forever be in my library of books and suggest it be in yours too. We, humans, have to stop blaming our problems on God. Instead, we need to start taking responsibility for our own choices and blame Satan for tempting us. Again, I would highly recommend getting Good God by Lucas Miles. This would be a great book for Bible Study or any church event. Or even a book group.
https://stephanieslifeofdetermination...
March 8, 2016
I had seen this book on social media recently and really wanted to learn more about it. Once I learned more, I wanted to share it with you so that you an pick up a copy of this awesome book for yourself. It's not one of those books that can sometimes be a little "long in the tooth". Pastor Lucas Miles does a phenomenal job of sharing God's goodness and love with his readers from cover to cover in Good God: The One We Want To Believe In But Are Afraid To Embrace.
In Good God, Pastor Miles helps us gain a religion-free understanding of who God really is - his character - staying rooted in scripture showing us God's goodness and His strength. We learn why the world doesn't want to learn about the "Christian" notion of God. This book helps lead readers to the answers for so many questions on our minds today like "Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God allow bad things to happen? Does God cause these things for some greater purpose?"
Each chapter of Good God begins with a real-life story so that readers can connect. It provides us with analogies to help give us a clear picture of how much God loves each of us. We also learn how statements often believed such as "God needed another angel in heaven" or "Suffering is just a blessing in disguise" are not backed by scripture.
“Although Scripture clearly displays God’s intentions for us to live an abundant life – the kind and quality of life that God himself has – many of us flounder, trapped in doubt, because we don’t really know him,” writes Miles.
In Good God, Miles focuses on the issue of people turning away from God because of the blame they place on him for bad things. With the Bible as his guide, Miles tackles tough topics and redefines Christianity by showing readers that God is always good, no matter the circumstance.
“When bad things happen, I now never have to wonder if God is at the root of my pain,” writes Miles. “What’s more, I am able to once again see God as he is – a good, loving, and caring Father who desires only the best for his children.”
Good God helps readers understand how confusion regarding God’s interaction with people under the Old Covenant has prevented people from seeing God’s true nature. We learn the truth of God’s innocence in relation to the fall of man thus establishing that God is not the source of our problems.
This book shines light on all of those questions and concerns while we discover the truth about God we love. the author's teachings provide clarity in the direction of having a real relationship with God.
I was provided with a review copy of this book as a First Look Blogger for Worthy Publishing without cost in exchange for this, my honest review and unbiased opinion.
In Good God, Pastor Miles helps us gain a religion-free understanding of who God really is - his character - staying rooted in scripture showing us God's goodness and His strength. We learn why the world doesn't want to learn about the "Christian" notion of God. This book helps lead readers to the answers for so many questions on our minds today like "Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God allow bad things to happen? Does God cause these things for some greater purpose?"
Each chapter of Good God begins with a real-life story so that readers can connect. It provides us with analogies to help give us a clear picture of how much God loves each of us. We also learn how statements often believed such as "God needed another angel in heaven" or "Suffering is just a blessing in disguise" are not backed by scripture.
“Although Scripture clearly displays God’s intentions for us to live an abundant life – the kind and quality of life that God himself has – many of us flounder, trapped in doubt, because we don’t really know him,” writes Miles.
In Good God, Miles focuses on the issue of people turning away from God because of the blame they place on him for bad things. With the Bible as his guide, Miles tackles tough topics and redefines Christianity by showing readers that God is always good, no matter the circumstance.
“When bad things happen, I now never have to wonder if God is at the root of my pain,” writes Miles. “What’s more, I am able to once again see God as he is – a good, loving, and caring Father who desires only the best for his children.”
Good God helps readers understand how confusion regarding God’s interaction with people under the Old Covenant has prevented people from seeing God’s true nature. We learn the truth of God’s innocence in relation to the fall of man thus establishing that God is not the source of our problems.
This book shines light on all of those questions and concerns while we discover the truth about God we love. the author's teachings provide clarity in the direction of having a real relationship with God.
I was provided with a review copy of this book as a First Look Blogger for Worthy Publishing without cost in exchange for this, my honest review and unbiased opinion.
October 16, 2016
The interesting premise is that God limits his interactions with humanity greatly and therefore isn't evil in the traditional Problem of Pain sense. As the author works through Biblical examples to support his case, however, he undermines this premise by emphasizing that God chooses to heal people via vesting power in his disciples..... sometimes. Thus, once again, God is either not powerful enough to heal everybody, or not willing.
This would have been an interesting argument for a limited God, but the author undermined himself without seeming to know it. I give him props for trying to develop a theology way outside of mainstream, however.
This would have been an interesting argument for a limited God, but the author undermined himself without seeming to know it. I give him props for trying to develop a theology way outside of mainstream, however.
December 8, 2017
Excellent
Loved this - so glad for a book that clearly explains what ought to be common knowledge among all believers: that God is not to blame for our pain. That He is only good. As 1 Jn. 1:5 puts it, “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
Loved this - so glad for a book that clearly explains what ought to be common knowledge among all believers: that God is not to blame for our pain. That He is only good. As 1 Jn. 1:5 puts it, “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
June 10, 2023
God IS Good
Lucas,
Thank you for helping me better understand the conflict within me since I was a young girl! While I was raised in a loving Christian home, I always had a sense that I had to measure up to God’s expectations and so many times fell short. Always seeking His love yet feeling I didn’t deserve it. This journey to understand that God loves me unconditionally and has nothing for good intentions for me began many years ago but your book has so succinctly captured my journey in words and given me greater clarity in my relationship with God. Blessings on you!
Lucas,
Thank you for helping me better understand the conflict within me since I was a young girl! While I was raised in a loving Christian home, I always had a sense that I had to measure up to God’s expectations and so many times fell short. Always seeking His love yet feeling I didn’t deserve it. This journey to understand that God loves me unconditionally and has nothing for good intentions for me began many years ago but your book has so succinctly captured my journey in words and given me greater clarity in my relationship with God. Blessings on you!
January 13, 2021
Great book that deftly handles some thorny life issues and questions: Why does God seemingly allow evil to exist? Why do bad things happen to good people? Is God punishing me for my sin? Where does sickness come from, etc.?
June 17, 2024
I’m currently reexamining the beliefs I grew up with, so this book was an interesting way to do that. The writing was all over the place, and it seemed the author was trying too hard to connect different ideas, but it has some interesting ideas about God’s character, namely that God does not cause bad things to happen, but allows bad things to happen to us. Like I said, kind of confusing.
March 9, 2016
Lucas Miles presents an interesting accusation in the start of his book: by asking HaShem why He allows bad to occur, it is declaring His plan in competent and proving our lack of trust in Him.
"[G-d] began revealing to me that asking [G-d] why is a question that doesn't merely challenge [H]is decision-making but doubts [H]is heart. In asking [G-d] why, I was assuming [H]e was the source of suffering and, ultimately, I was questioning [H]is love for me."
This book is about precisely that - encountering the problem of evil, the goodness of G-d, and the mess in between called humanity. Miles discusses the problem via sharing results from his own ministry and life experiences. As for his approach, however, it carries no concern for religious teaching. One such example is when Miles shares his opinion that HaShem has no concern about beard growth. From a Christian perspective this is nothing new, but from a Jewish perspective (and the origin of the Christian faith), HaShem is involved in every aspect of one's life. This is affirmed by his complete rejection of anything prior to the Gospels elsewhere in his book, making a distinction between Old and New Testaments, as if the New could function or be possible without its foundation.
While Miles may have encouragement to share in his book, he does so with no regard or respect to anyone's view of faith outside of his own. This narrow minded approach is not a jab at Christianity, even though some are of this mindset, but rather a concern that Miles could easily lead individuals down the dark path of postmodern faith, where truth is relative instead of absolute.
Theologically speaking, Miles is on questionable ground that requires further analysis. In the least, Miles is confused and incorrectly presents a greater meaning he wants to express. However, given his pastoral experience, it is hard to stand by this, and his work could lead to treacherous beliefs at best, and abdication from worshipping HaShem at worst. After all, believing in a name does not mean the correct deity, if one makes up their theology and makes up their god...
Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post.
"[G-d] began revealing to me that asking [G-d] why is a question that doesn't merely challenge [H]is decision-making but doubts [H]is heart. In asking [G-d] why, I was assuming [H]e was the source of suffering and, ultimately, I was questioning [H]is love for me."
This book is about precisely that - encountering the problem of evil, the goodness of G-d, and the mess in between called humanity. Miles discusses the problem via sharing results from his own ministry and life experiences. As for his approach, however, it carries no concern for religious teaching. One such example is when Miles shares his opinion that HaShem has no concern about beard growth. From a Christian perspective this is nothing new, but from a Jewish perspective (and the origin of the Christian faith), HaShem is involved in every aspect of one's life. This is affirmed by his complete rejection of anything prior to the Gospels elsewhere in his book, making a distinction between Old and New Testaments, as if the New could function or be possible without its foundation.
While Miles may have encouragement to share in his book, he does so with no regard or respect to anyone's view of faith outside of his own. This narrow minded approach is not a jab at Christianity, even though some are of this mindset, but rather a concern that Miles could easily lead individuals down the dark path of postmodern faith, where truth is relative instead of absolute.
Theologically speaking, Miles is on questionable ground that requires further analysis. In the least, Miles is confused and incorrectly presents a greater meaning he wants to express. However, given his pastoral experience, it is hard to stand by this, and his work could lead to treacherous beliefs at best, and abdication from worshipping HaShem at worst. After all, believing in a name does not mean the correct deity, if one makes up their theology and makes up their god...
Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post.
March 10, 2016
"God is so good," so says the song we learned in Sunday School.
"God is so good," David proclaims throughout the Psalms.
"God is so good," states the preacher in his Sunday sermon.
Lucas Miles hones in on God's goodness and takes us on a theological, emotional, spiritual, and academic analysis of what that goodness really means and how "religion" has come to re-paint the portrait of our great and good God.
I really had a difficult time putting this book down to even sleep. The topic is ancient as well as fresh as today.
This is a great read. Sometimes quick, sometimes arduous, but always edifying. I really took a lot away from this read.
Bottom line, at least for me, is that this is a look at God's goodness through a lens of religiosity. Let me say here that having a relationship with Jesus Christ is not religion. In my thesaurus, religion is a set of man-made dogmas and thoughts. Whether they be catholic, reformed, Calvinist, charismatic or otherwise, dogmas don't save us. Dogmas don't carry us to Heaven. Dogmas can, and do, often shift our focus away from the throne of grace and into a state of confusion.
God is good. This I know. The biggest take away for me was that this good God loved us so much that He created man with free agency, the right to select and make decisions in our own life. His love is such that He doesn't always insert Himself into our bad decisions and bail us out. Yet, the religious among us tell us that "God allowed us to fail, experience pain, or taught us a lesson". Religion can take this all loving Abba (Daddy) and turn Him to a harsh, judgmental tyrant.
Since reading this volume, I've been enlightened by numerous ministers of renown who stand in unknown opposition to the concept of OUR GOOD GOD.
This is an excellent book. I recommend it to every Christian looking to understand his/her relationship with God, and to every believer who is struggling with life's tough situations. I predict that once you read this book, you will add it to your shelf for future reading and reference.
Get this book! Read this book! And enjoy a brand new, more intimate relationship with our GOOD GOD!!
"God is so good," David proclaims throughout the Psalms.
"God is so good," states the preacher in his Sunday sermon.
Lucas Miles hones in on God's goodness and takes us on a theological, emotional, spiritual, and academic analysis of what that goodness really means and how "religion" has come to re-paint the portrait of our great and good God.
I really had a difficult time putting this book down to even sleep. The topic is ancient as well as fresh as today.
This is a great read. Sometimes quick, sometimes arduous, but always edifying. I really took a lot away from this read.
Bottom line, at least for me, is that this is a look at God's goodness through a lens of religiosity. Let me say here that having a relationship with Jesus Christ is not religion. In my thesaurus, religion is a set of man-made dogmas and thoughts. Whether they be catholic, reformed, Calvinist, charismatic or otherwise, dogmas don't save us. Dogmas don't carry us to Heaven. Dogmas can, and do, often shift our focus away from the throne of grace and into a state of confusion.
God is good. This I know. The biggest take away for me was that this good God loved us so much that He created man with free agency, the right to select and make decisions in our own life. His love is such that He doesn't always insert Himself into our bad decisions and bail us out. Yet, the religious among us tell us that "God allowed us to fail, experience pain, or taught us a lesson". Religion can take this all loving Abba (Daddy) and turn Him to a harsh, judgmental tyrant.
Since reading this volume, I've been enlightened by numerous ministers of renown who stand in unknown opposition to the concept of OUR GOOD GOD.
This is an excellent book. I recommend it to every Christian looking to understand his/her relationship with God, and to every believer who is struggling with life's tough situations. I predict that once you read this book, you will add it to your shelf for future reading and reference.
Get this book! Read this book! And enjoy a brand new, more intimate relationship with our GOOD GOD!!
March 26, 2016
Wow, even better and more in depth, than I expected. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper , more intimate understanding of God, and His love and grace. This book is incredibly well written, and enjoyable to read. Lucas Miles has a very down to Earth writing style that makes for a great and often entertaining learning experience. I greatly appreciate having a greater understanding of God's love and what the blood of Jesus' bought for me to live in covenant with the Father.
November 6, 2017
This is a worthwhile read for many who find themselves disenchanted with the traditional Christian platitudes. The author presents an interesting alternate perspective on the book of Job, which I have always found a little bizarre. However, I did think there were some holes in the author's point of view and things that I thought should have been addressed, but weren't. And the flow of the book was a little off. I think that the chapters about grace and the law should have been in the beginning. But I still think this book is worth a read and will give you much to think and talk about.
April 27, 2017
Life Changing
My old struggles with a condemning God have been changed. The Jesus in me has a new life and purpose. Great Book.
My old struggles with a condemning God have been changed. The Jesus in me has a new life and purpose. Great Book.
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