Hmm, I'll elaborate ~
I mean this specific universe that God created, knowing full well how it would be. That we are a species whose affairs and whose minds(souls) get special attention. That the universe he created has enough do with us that we must as such be part of the reason he created it. That there is a special other-verse for which souls who fit certain criteria is welcome after their demise in this one.
There must be a function or reason for God to will this into existence. For us and our reality to be a part of God and creation.
God could have created anything or nothing, for God is all-powerful. But we and our environment is something he wishes to have exist. How come?
Note: Your particular theological view is rare for me to come across in people and the responses are interesting, which I think is why I ask you questions. I want to understand your full system of metaphysics and the axioms that are its foundation.
Ok. Let me explain it this way:
God is completely self-sufficient. He doesn't NEED anything. But he IS an actual personality, not just an idea or a force of some kind.
And God ELECTED, by his own sovereign will, to create this world FOR HIS OWN GLORY. The same way an artist creates a work of art, God created this whole universe as an expression of who he is.
And part of that created order is mankind.
Man was created to enjoy God and his creation, and it is proper and fitting for man to give God GLORY for all the things he has blessed him with, and to obey whatever God commands him to do or not do. After all, man owes his entire EXISTENCE to God.
The first man, Adam, and his wife, Eve, were in a state of innocence at first. Then God told Adam not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, lest he would die.
Adam disobeyed God and the result was death. Not immediate death, but the slow decay and process of death that the whole human race now experiences all throughout their lives. Death would not have existed had sin not entered the world.
Neither would rape, murder, and all the other horrible things people keep mentioning in this thread exist, had SIN not entered the world.
And the curse of sin doesn't happen in a vacuum either. It AFFECTS and INFECTS everything in sight, like a cancer or a virus.
All the problems in the world are a direct result of DISOBEYING God.
GOD is not to blame, MAN is to blame.
God is HOLY and he DEMANDS PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS. But he KNOWS we are not CAPABLE of performing it.
That's why he sent his Son, to establish a perfect righteousness ON BEHALF of chosen sinners.
Why "chosen sinners" and not ALL men?
Because God ELECTED to do it that way. That's all.
He could have saved the whole human race if he wanted to, but he didn't.
He could have prevented the fall of Adam if he wanted to, but he didn't.
God has CHOSEN to do it this way, and he WILL be glorifed, whether in casting a man JUSTLY into hell, or saving a man according to his own purpose and grace in Jesus Christ.
And ALL that GOD DEMANDS is that a man be HONEST about his own SIN. To confess one's own sin and seek MERCY from God, through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool."
Is that not reasonable?
CHRIST is the way, the truth, and the life.
He is God in human flesh. The ONLY salvation for sinners.
If one wants to be reconciled to God, then CHRIST is the ONLY WAY.
There is a lot more I could tell you if you're interested. But I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible.
Bottom line is this:
The Bible DOES say that mankind is made in the image of God, and has been given legitimate authority over the things on the earth, by God himself.
But NOWHERE does it even REMOTELY suggest that we have USURPED the authority of GOD.
We are still under HIS authority.
And if we refuse to obey his will, we should EXPECT to be under his WRATH.
And whether we like it or not, we ARE under his wrath because of SIN, and the ONLY ESCAPE from his wrath is THROUGH CHRIST.
Through UNION with him, in his ATONING DEATH, BURIAL, and RESSURRECTION, our sins are completely forgiven.
And when God gives us his Holy Spirit, and the FAITH to BELIEVE on his Son, we possess eternal life and are FREE from all condemnation.
If you die without Christ, you will have to spend eternity in hell, because your DEBT to God can NEVER be paid.
But if, in THIS life, you receive salvation in Christ, you are FREE from your debt, and are RECONCILED to God.
You have PEACE with God and the forgiveness of sins.
Come to Christ, and flee God's wrath.
He WILL save ALL those who come to him.
John 6:35-40
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Matthew 11:25-30
At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.
Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”