The Problem of Good

[orangebox21]

I did.  What I wrote is different than saying: sin makes known God's mercy and justice, and God's mercy and justice makes known sin, which is the circle you're alluding to.  I haven't claimed that God's mercy and justice makes known sin.

No, you're right. Looking back on it, I think I misread one of those two quotes. They were both saying the same thing, but in a different order.

No problem, I saw the same thing you did and was having a difficult time sorting through it as well.

How do you know God had an infinite number of ways He could have chosen to deal with?

Are you saying that God isn't all powerful?

There's a yes and a no to that.  God is limited to act in a manner consistent within His nature.  So God can't sin, nor does He tempt anyone, nor could He do something that is logically incoherent.  Apart from that God is all powerful.

What "bad parts" of theology are you talking about and how does mercy explain them?

Basically the existence of heaven and hell at all, plus suffering and evil in this world. The notion of infinite consequences for finite (and only partially informed) decisions.

I don't want to get too off track here but I'll mention two things here.  First, the punishment is established by the law giver, not the law breaker.  Secondly, how do you know that sinning against God ends at death?  Some people have openly admitted that even if the Christian God proved Himself to them, they still wouldn't worship Him.  Why assume this isn't the attitude of the unrepentant sinner even after death?

Strictly speaking, by allowing a person to reach the age of accountability (if the Christian believes in such a thing*), they're allowing the risk that the person could end up in hell.

That's true.  

* The concept isn't actually Biblical, but everyone who isn't a Calvinist seems to at least imply this is the case. And even if Almighty God makes a decision for each and every child, if he were to send even one to hell, you'd be worshiping a capricious jerk.

Just out of curiosity, would your opinion change if the child was going to grow up to be a warmonger unlike the world has ever seen?  What about a serial killer who would kill 20 people?  15? 10?  5000?  What about someone who would grow up to reinstitute the worship of Molech (throwing infants into a fire)?