Christians are of course familiar with the idea that God sent Christ into the world in order to save those who happen to believe in him and who accept his offer of forgiveness. What they may not be entirely aware of, however, is how the need for salvation came about in the first place. Sure, everyone knows part of the story: Adam and Eve sinned, which somehow caused everyone else to do so, thus making Jesus necessary. But did God plan all of this in the first place?
Most Christians say he did not. They argue that sin is due to our own free will, and therefore that God did not intend it so much as allow it.
But that's wrong, and one does not need to appeal to abstract philosophical arguments (which never work on believers anyway) to come to this conclusion: The Bible itself says that God planned it this way. He wanted human beings to be sinners so that he could then forgive some of them.
In Romans 11:32, Paul informs us that “God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.” This same essential message is repeated in Galatians 3:22, which states that “the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” (NRSV, emphasis added.)
Paul is very clear about this: God made humans into sinners in order to then send Christ as a savior. Thus, it's not that God hates sin; it's that he wants us to need his forgiveness – for something he caused in the first place!
The only real mystery is why anyone considers that a good or just plan.
Most Christians say he did not. They argue that sin is due to our own free will, and therefore that God did not intend it so much as allow it.
But that's wrong, and one does not need to appeal to abstract philosophical arguments (which never work on believers anyway) to come to this conclusion: The Bible itself says that God planned it this way. He wanted human beings to be sinners so that he could then forgive some of them.
In Romans 11:32, Paul informs us that “God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.” This same essential message is repeated in Galatians 3:22, which states that “the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” (NRSV, emphasis added.)
Paul is very clear about this: God made humans into sinners in order to then send Christ as a savior. Thus, it's not that God hates sin; it's that he wants us to need his forgiveness – for something he caused in the first place!
The only real mystery is why anyone considers that a good or just plan.
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