“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” Exodus 34:6

It seems that for the last few years at least, the vast majority of the things we have written to you in these weekly articles have been of a practical nature. Topics that were as “common ground” as possible, ways to help the majority of believers live more successfully for the Lord and enjoy more of what He has for us in this life, irrespective of their chosen Christian affiliation.

Rarely have I ventured to write concerning church doctrine, whether it be of a Pentecostal persuasion or otherwise. Now, there’s good reason for this: there’s an audience to consider (I’m not writing these articles for my own benefit), and there’s the confines of my own giftings to work within.

With that said, this week I feel the need to dip into matters more theological and what some may consider controversial. Why? Because I see a growing desire among earnest Christians to make sense of what is going on in the world today, and more importantly, why it is going on.

Friends, a lot of what we are seeing takes place on a daily basis around the world—and in our backyard—flies in the face of some of the things we have been taught, and it is shaking the faith of believers young and old alike. We have grown up hearing that God is good and that God is in control, but all around we see the seemingly opposite unfold.

So, what is it then? What about this sovereignty of God? What about His proclaimed goodness? Who is in control of this world? What is man’s role, if any, in what happens on this planet? Is all this just an outcome of Divine predestination?

Now, there are a couple of statements most ministers can say in any given church in our area that will get a rousing “Amen” from the congregation. One is “God is good!” and the other is “God is still in control!” While both of these statements usually get a “Yes and amen,” logically, both of them can’t be absolutely true in relation to the goings-on upon this Earth. They are in opposition to each other.

If God is good and in control, then why all the bad? If He’s in absolute control of all that happens on the Earth and in your life, why have bad things happened to you? Is it because He is not good? Some are adamant that God is both in control of all and is good, but this can’t be the truth. So, what is the reality of the matter? What does the Bible actually teach regarding these very important ideas?

Okay, take a deep breath. Before you pick up some stones and come looking for me, let me clarify that I know God is all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere present. The Bible teaches this clearly and it is the ultimate authority in spite of anything we experience to the contrary. With that acknowledged, have you ever really thought about what Genesis 1:26-28 teaches us about man’s purpose on this planet and the responsibilities and authority God gave us at Creation?

In verse 26 we read, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” In verse 28 the Bible goes on to state, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

There’s a lot of doctrine packed into those two verses that many either don’t realize or reject because it doesn’t fit their church’s doctrine or their world perspective. In these two verses are the answers for the perplexing “whys” of our day. In these two verses is the key to understanding that God is as good as you’ve heard and as sovereign as ever, and the ills of this world don’t negate either!

Greg Crum is the pastor of Calvary Temple in Lovely.