Where was God?
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· 34 viewsA Biblical response to the problem of evil
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Introduction
Introduction
Our world is full of evil, suffering, and pain. Just consider the last few weeks with the nature disasters in North American.
In Houston, Texas, 72 people died because of Hurricane Harvey.
In south Florida, 82 people died because of Hurricane Irma.
In Puerto Rico, officially at least 16 people died with higher numbers expected as they continue to clear debris.
Earthquake in Mexico — at least 333
Just over the weekend, a man opened fire on people attending a concert in Las Vegas killing at least 59 people and injuring over 500 people. It has been called the deadliest mass shooting in US history. No doubt you have been praying for those affected by this horrific event as I have. In a mass shooting and other horrific events like it, they that drive people to ask why?
Cancer victims?
Even in the Bible, we can found accounts of horrific tragedies and heinous acts. Evil and suffering is true of every generation of mankind. Open your Bible to . What happens in is quite frankly—messed up. This account shows the darkness possible in the heart of mankind. It shows the depravity of mankind. It shows the degeneracy of mankind.
READ
Story Points of
Right away, the writer tells us of common practice — taking of a concubine. A concubine held a secondary or inferior status to the husband’s wife. This practice was commonly accepted in the ancient world, but never was the practice commended by God. The Bible is simply telling us how things were back then, not necessarily how things should be today.
“…to speak friendly unto her...” — literally speak to her heart
He spends 3 days patching things up and then on the 4th day, he tries to leave, but his father in law compels him to stay.
This happens again the 5th day, but after spending most of the day with his father in law, the couple along with the Levite’s servant depart.
They pass the city of Jebus, Jerusalem, because it’s inhabitants were not of the children of Israel.
They come to a city of Israel, Gibeah, and search to find someone willing to host them for the night.
In Gibeah, the only person willing to host them was an old farmer, who brought them into his home and gave them full hospitality.
While enjoying the hospitality of the old farmer, a group of degenerate men pound on the door [pound fist on pulpit] asking for the Levite, so that they might satisfy their perverted desires.
The old farmer refused but offered his virgin daughter and the Levite’s concubine for them to use however they pleased. In the ancient world, women were lightly esteemed and that culture’s laws of hospitality were far important than these two women. Again, certainly not the view of God— “…God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:27)
Those degenerate men wanted nothing of it, and still insisted on the Levite. In fear of his life, the Levite took his concubine and gave her to the group of degenerates. They savagely abused her all night.
At dawn, this poor woman stumbling back to the old farmer’s house and collapse at his door step. There she died.
The Levite found her and told her, “Up, and let us be going.” No care or concern for her well being even after being savagely treated.
Then he realizes she is dead, so he takes her body home and there divides it into twelve pieces. He sends it out to “all the coasts of Isarel.” (v. 29)
Then we READ
After that verse, I ask myself, Where was God? Where was God in that night this woman was sexually abused to death? Where was God in Houston, TX and in South Florida? Where was God when the earthquake shook Mexico? When bullets were flying in Vegas? Where was God?
And what about evil and suffering in light of these verses about God...
9 The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; And he knoweth them that trust in him.
How can God be good and there still be evil in this world? Isn’t it a contradiction to say, an all-good, all-knowing, all-powerful God and evil exists?
We need to find a meaningful answer especially in light of events like hurricanes, shootings, etc. Turning away from God doesn’t produce a better answer at all.
How can God be good and there still be evil in the world?
Christian philosopher and writer, G.K. Chesterton, said about that problem of evil, “When belief in God becomes difficult, the tendency is to turn away from Him; but in heaven’s name to what? My problem with life is not that it is rational, nor that it is irrational…but that it is almost rational.” Just when we are able to form a cohesive framework, someone or something pokes a hole in it, and we take a step back." GK Chesterton
We need to find a meaningful answer especially in light of events like hurricanes, shootings, etc. Turning away from God doesn’t produce a better answer at all.
I want to share with you how I have settled this question for my heart.
The Problem of Evil
Many skeptics, atheists, etc. say that God doesn’t exist because pain, suffering, evil exists in the world. Their argument (originator of the logical problem of evil has been cited as the Greek philosopher Epicurus) goes something like this:
If an all powerful, all knowing, and all loving God exists, then evil does not.
There is evil in the world.
Therefore, an all powerful, all knowing, and all loving God does not exist.
This problem of evil is found in 3 different forms.
Any evil disproves an all-good, all-powerful God.
2. The amount of evil disproves all-good, all-powerful God. — how much evil is too much? I think we would all agree that any amount is too much? Is it only the evil that we can understand as necessary or justified?
3. The unjust distribution of evil disproves an all-good, all-powerful, God. — bad things happening to good people
The argument itself is flawed to begin with. If we change, the terms it becomes clearer.
If Dr. Rushing owns a car, then it was not recently painted green.
It was not recently painted green.
Therefore, Dr. Rushing does not own a car.
These questions and arguments can cause us to question our own faith—even to doubt God’s goodness or to question His existence because of the evil experienced. I want to share with you how I have resolved the problem of evil in my own heart.
We need to find a meaningful answer especially in light of events like hurricanes, shootings, etc. Turning away from God doesn’t produce a better answer at all.
We need to find a meaningful answer especially in light of events like hurricanes, shootings, etc. Turning away from God doesn’t produce a better answer at all.
Christian philosopher and writer, G.K. Chesterton, said this about that problem of evil, “When belief in God becomes difficult, the tendency is to turn away from Him; but in heaven’s name to what? My problem with life is not that it is rational, nor that it is irrational…but that it is almost rational.” Just when we are able to form a cohesive framework, someone or something pokes a hole in it, and we take a step back." GK Chesterton
These questions and arguments can cause us to question our own faith—even to doubt God’s goodness or to question His existence because of the evil experienced. I want to share with you not how I have solved the problem of evil, but rather how I have resolved the problem of evil in my own heart.
Argument #1 — Blame God for evil (The Creation Argument)
Argument #1 — Blame God for evil (The Creation Argument)
Natural disasters are often called Acts of God.
God is infinitely, perfectly all-good. (, ; , )
17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
He will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;
He will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
An infinitely all-good God cannot create or be evil. (, , , , , ; ; )
Therefore, God Who is infinitely all-good created all things good. ()
An infinitely all-good God cannot create or be evil.
Therefore, God An infinitely all-good God cannot be evil.
God cannot be all-good and yet create evil or be evil.
God cannot be all-good and yet create evil or be evil.
Yet, some will try to use a verse like .
God cannot be good and evil—for that is contradictory.
Yet, some will try to use a verse like .
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
They will use a verse like this to argue that God evil.
To be all-good and evil is impossible and contradictory.
God cannot create evil.
TRANSITION: To further respond, we must understand what evil is not.
Forcing or imposing His will
Argument #2 — Evil is a real thing. (The Corruption Argument)
Argument #2 — Evil is a real thing. (The Corruption Argument)
Evil is real, but it is not a real thing. ()
Evil is like rust
Evil is not a thing or a substance.
Evil is real, but it is not a real thing.
Evil exists only in another but not itself
Evil is a corruption of the good things God made. (, )
Therefore, God did not create evil. ()
Evil is a universal reality.
Evil is a universal reality.
Sword, rust rot, illustrations things are not evil in of themselves.
Every one of us has experienced pain, suffering, and evil at some point in our lives.
every one of us has experience pain, suffering, and evil at some point in our live.
The very existence of evil troubles mankind and every worldview must address it.
Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli, Handbook of Christian Apologetics: Hundreds of Answers to Crucial Questions (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994), 132.
The Atheist affirms the universal reality of evil, but denies the existence of God.
We read an account like and we think to ourselves, “That’s not right. That’s messed up. People shouldn’t treat others that way.”
The Pantheist affirms the reality of God (that God is everything and everyone and that everyone and everything is God), but denies the universal reality of evil.
The Atheist Of the three major worldviews, Atheism affirms the reality of evil and denies the reality of God. Pantheism affirms the reality of God but denies the reality of evil. Theism affirms the reality of both God and evil.
Only the Theist, the Christian, affirms both God and evil.
Norman L. Geisler, “Evil, Problem Of,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 219.We read an account like and we think to ourselves, “That’s not right. That’s messed up. People shouldn’t treat others that way.”
We are hardwired
We are hardwired
Evil is not a thing.
Evil is not a thing.
For instance, a sword is not evil. Even the stroke of the sword that chops off your head is not evil in its being—in fact, unless it is a “good” stroke, it will not chop your head off.
Evil is a corruption of the good things God made. MUCH LIKE RUST ON METAL OR ROT IN TREES
An infection
Sword, rust rot, illustrations things are not evil in of themselves.
Evil is a lack of good. SOMEONE IS EVIL, THEY LACK GOOD.
God didn’t create evil, at the end of the Sixth Day, behold creation was “very good.” ()
Evil is a lack in good things.
TRANSITION: If God didn’t create evil and evil is not a thing, how did evil come to be?
Argument #3 — God is responsible for evil. (The Choice Argument)
Argument #3 — God is responsible for evil. (The Choice Argument)
An all-good, all-loving God created man with the good power to freely choose. ( — freely eat)
Evil is the abuse of this good power to freely choose. ()
Evil is the abuse of this freedom.
Free choice is
So, without evil humans would not have the good power to freely choose. ()
Forced love or obedience is not a free choice.
Therefore, God permits evil and has a good reason for doing so. (, )
Therefore, God permits evil and has a good reason for doing so.
God is all-good and all-loving.
God is all-good and all-loving.
We have already established that God is all-good and no evil exists within Him, but we also see that God is love.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
An all-good, all-loving God does not produce or promote evil, but God can permit evil—it does not contradict the character of God to allow mankind to freely choose.
What is the purpose of creation but to point to God? If God forces people to love him, then why bother with such creativity and beauty within creation?
God then is responsible for the possibility of evil, but we must bear the responsibility for the actuality of it. God neither wills evil to be done, nor wills it not to be done. He wills to permit evil to be done, and this is good
Norman L. Geisler, “Evil, Problem Of,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 219.
Norman L. Geisler, “Evil, Problem Of,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 219.
Argument #4 — The Cross Argument
Argument #4 — The Cross Argument
The acknowledgement of evil points to an absolute standard of good.
The reality of evil affirms the reality of good.
Where was God?
Evil corrupts—we never know how far it will corrupt us. She played the harlot and died the harlot.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
God created everything good. (; )
Evil can only exist in another not itself.
Therefore, evil is not a thing or a substance.
Therefore, evil is a corruption of that which is good.
Evil exists in the world.
Yes, evil exists in the world but only in another not itself.
But evil exists only in another not itself.
An infinitely all-good good God
Argument #3 — The perfection of God
Argument #3 — The perfection of God
An infinitely all-good God cannot force or impose His will on someone else.
God cannot be good and create evil
Argument #3
God created everything in the universe good. (, ; )
Evil is not a thing or a substance.
Things cannot be evil in themselves.
Therefore, evil is not a thing or a substance.
The Gospel answers the question where was God.
Evil exists only in another not itself.
Therefore, evil is a corruption of that which is good.
The Gospel Argument
God is absolutely perfect.
God created everything.
Evil is not a thing or a substance.
Yet, evil is real
Start at the Original OF evil???
Evil is not a thing. Evil was brought into the world by man. Evil is universal. God allowed evil to be a possibility. God can bring Good from evil. God will one day rid this world of evil.
No one escapes evil and suffering.
Worldviews and Evil. Although every worldview has to deal with the problem of evil, it is an especially acute problem for theism. Of the three major worldviews, Herein is the problem; how can an absolutely good Being (God) be compatible with evil, the opposite of good?
Norman L. Geisler, “Evil, Problem Of,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 219.
All evil
Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics The Purpose of Evil
This inability to see the purpose for evil does not disprove God’s benevolence; it merely reveals our ignorance.
God has solved the problem of evil.
Nevertheless, it is important to address this issue because some believers and many unbelievers are caused to doubt God’s goodness, power, or even His existence because of particular evils they encounter in their lives. As I have talked to many people about this issue, I have found it important to distinguish between the intellectual problem of evil and the emotional responses to particular evils we face in our experience. Having the intellectual answer helps, but it does not make you immune from the emotional struggle, as we will see in Lewis’s agony over the death of his wife, Joy.
Establish “Problem” of Evil here
Atheists and skeptics best argument against the existence of God—this is their “proof” God and evil cannot exist
Crucial to be able to answer this question about Christianity
Universal effect on all people—good and bad
The atrocities of a terrorist attack compels us to anger because terror is an evil act.
3 Forms of the Problem
Any evil disproves an all-good, all-powerful God.
2. The amount of evil disproves all-good, all-powerful God. — how much evil is too much? I think we would all agree that any amount is too much? Is it only the evil that we can understand as necessary or justified?
3. The unjust distribution of evil disproves an all-good, all-powerful, God.
God permits evil and has a good reason for doing so.
God limits the impact of evil, warns us of the dangers of evil, acts to stop the spread of evil, gives us an escape from evil, and will eventually defeat evil forever.
We consider these three settings...
Man bears the responsibility for evil.
Man bears the responsibility for evil.
God is responsible for the possibility of evil—for it is necessary for man to be able to freely choose, but man is responsible for the actuality of evil.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
When you or I choose to sin—to gossip, complain, lie, etc. we choose to abuse the good power to freely choose that God gave us.
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Freedom in itself is not evil. I think you would agree with my that being free is good.
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Yet, with freedom there is the possibility of evil.
God permits evil, never does God promote it or or practice it.
9 The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.
God warns us about the dangers of evil, limits the impact of evil, acts to stop the spread of evil, gives us an escape from evil, and will eventually defeat evil forever.
God’s desire is this...
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Evil corrupts—we never know how far it will corrupt us. She played the harlot and her choices cause her life.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. -
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. - KJV
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; And his truth endureth to all generations.
11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.
7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; And he knoweth them that trust in him.
A more thorough follow up response to a question I was asked during the Soul Winning Seminar.
Where is God?
The Bible “frames” the problem of evil by keeping it in the proper context. “Evil” is meaningless without something to compare it to. For comparison, we have the original creation of God, called “very good” (). We have the standard of goodness in God Himself. And we have an explanation for the various causes of evil and suffering.
CS Lewis remembered the quote from the Roman Epicurean poet Lucretius: “Had God designed the world, it would not be....A world so frail and faulty as we see.”
Okay, so Lewis made the existence of evil into an argument for God’s existence—but could you not turn it around and make the problem of evil into an internal contradiction within theism? In other words, some have argued that there is a contradiction in the set of ideas that Christianity believes.
Paul Tournier in his book Creative Suffering argues that all great human leaders have had to overcome painful experiences in order to rise to their prominent leadership positions. To be without pain tends to keep your life on the surface of things. With pain you have the choice of how to face it—be overcome by it or rise above it. Pain presents an opportunity for victory or defeat. Above all, it wakes us up and makes us ask very basic questions that we might not ask otherwise.
Pain not only gets our attention, but it shatters the illusion that whatever things we have are enough to satisfy us. It is so very easy for us to divert or distract ourselves from looking at what is most important in life. When we experience even relatively minor pain, say of a toothache, we cannot do much else till we get it relieved. And, many types of pain are far greater than a toothache. However, when we are in over our heads, in the depths of despair we cry out to God in a way that we seldom, perhaps never, do otherwise. Lewis quotes Augustine to the effect that: “God wants to give us something but cannot because our hands are full— there’s nowhere for Him to put it.” Pain and suffering provide opportunities for heroism and for great good as we saw in the events surrounding September 11, 2001. Not only policemen and firemen but also many ordinary people gave their lives or worked to alleviate the pain of those involved. But, pain can also crush someone to the point of despair. There is in suffering the possibility of real gain or real loss. Lewis maintains that in this world we live in the “vale of soul-making” where we have serious choices and consequences over how we respond to evil.
Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch Christian who with her family helped Jews escape Nazi-occupied Holland in WWII, spent ten months in German prison camps. Four of the seven imprisoned family members died, including Corrie’s father and sister Betsie. After her release, Corrie shared her message of Jesus’ love being greater than all suffering and evil. She often used “The Weaver” poem in her messages:
My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me. I cannot choose the colors, He worketh steadily. Oft times he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride, Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside. Not till the looms are silent and the shuttles cease to fly, Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver’s skillful hand As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned. Author Unknown
The Problem of Evil
Many skeptics, atheists, etc. say that God doesn’t exist because pain, suffering, evil exists in the world. Their argument (originator of the logical problem of evil has been cited as the Greek philosopher Epicurus) goes something like this:
If an all powerful, all knowing, and all loving God exists, then evil does not.
There is evil in the world.
Therefore, an all powerful, all knowing, and all loving God does not exist.
Talking Points
The problem of evil is more of a problem for the skeptic, atheist, etc. Why? Because if evil exists, then good must also exists.
Who then defines what is good and what is evil? This brings us back to absolute Truth—back to God.
God is not evil. (; ; ; )
Humans are to blame for evil. (-ff; )
God has given us the ability to choose good and evil, and when we choose evil, He allows us, and those around us, to suffer the consequences of evil.
You are not forced into a relationship with God, that would violate God’s love; for an all-loving God cannot force someone to love Him.
God didn’t create evil, but God does allow evil to exist.
God chose to create a “real” world in which real choices have real consequences. He didn’t create robots. He didn’t create mindless drones. He gave man, Adam and Eve, the ability to decide for themselves to obey God or to disobey God.
God uses evil for His purposes. (, ; ; )
God will one day eliminate all evil from this world. He will judge all all of mankind and punish those who have done evil. However, it is on His time table, not ours. “…Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
TRANSITION: You may be thinking but what about the evil that I have experienced? I have been molested, raped, abused. I have cancer. I’ve lost my parents. What then is my hope?
Establish “Problem” of Evil here
Atheists and skeptics best argument against the existence of God—this is their “proof” God and evil cannot exist
TRANSITION: You may be thinking but what about the evil I have experienced? I have been molested, raped, abused. I am suffering from a STD. I have cancer. I lost my parents. What then is my hope?
Crucial to be able to answer this question about Christianity
TRANSITION: You may be thinking but what about the evil I have experienced? I have been molested, raped, abused. I am suffering from a STD. I have cancer. I lost my parents. What then is my hope?
Universal effect on all people—good and bad
TRANSITION: You may be thinking but what about the evil I have experienced? I have been molested, raped, abused. I am suffering from a STD. I have cancer. I lost my parents. What then is my hope?
God is good, and he created good creatures with a good power called free will. Unfortunately, they used this good power to bring evil into the universe by rebelling against their Creator. So evil did arise from good, not directly but indirectly, by the abuse of a good power called freedom. Freedom in itself is not evil. It is good to be free. But with freedom comes the possibility of evil. So God is responsible for making evil possible, but free creatures are responsible for making it actual.
The atrocities of a terrorist attack compels us to anger because terror is an evil act.
God then is responsible for the possibility of evil, but we must bear the responsibility for the actuality of it. God neither wills evil to be done, nor wills it not to be done. He wills to permit evil to be done, and this is good
Norman L. Geisler, “Evil, Problem Of,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 219.
Any evil disproves an all-good, all-powerful God.
Argument #4 — Nothing good can ever come from evil. (The Comfort Argument)
Argument #4 — Nothing good can ever come from evil. (The Comfort Argument)
Argument #4 — Nothing good can ever come from evil. (The Comfort Argument)
Argument #4 — Nothing good can ever come from evil. (The Comfort Argument)
Norman L. Geisler, “Evil, Problem Of,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 219.
2. The amount of evil disproves all-good, all-powerful God. — how much evil is too much? I think we would all agree that any amount is too much? Is it only the evil that we can understand as necessary or justified?
3. The unjust distribution of evil disproves an all-good, all-powerful, God.
Argument #4 — Nothing good can ever come from evil. (The Comfort Argument)
Argument #4 — Nothing good can ever come from evil. (The Comfort Argument)
God permits evil and has a good reason for doing so.
An all-good God has a good purpose for everything. (; ; ; )
An all-knowing God knows a good purpose for all evil, even if we do not know it. (; ; )
An all-powerful God can bring good out of evil.
An all-knowing God knows a good purpose for all evil, even if we do not know it. (; ; )
An all-knowing God knows a good purpose for all evil, even if we do not know it. (; ; )
An all-powerful God can do whatever is possible according to his character and will. (Almighty God “Shaddai” — ; ; ; )
Therefore, an all-good, all-knowing God can bring good out of evil.
The reality of evil affirms the reality of good.
God limits the impact of evil, warns us of the dangers of evil, acts to stop the spread of evil, gives us an escape from evil, and will eventually defeat evil forever.
ILL. While listening A man who was there during the shooting in Las Vegas and helping others who were shot was asked, “How do you feel?” The man replied, “Heart-broken.”
I stand before you today to say that a sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing God can mend broken hearts.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Just because I cannot see how good can be brought out of evil, it doesn’t make God any less good, it simply reveals my finite knowledge.
Death is swallowed up in victory.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Just because you and I cannot see how good can be brought out of evil, it doesn’t make God any less good, it simply reveals my finite knowledge.
We consider these three settings...
serves as a good warning of the dangers and consequences of sin. It is only thru Almighty God can one find comfort and hope in a world filled with evil, suffering, and pain.
Just because I cannot see how good can be brought out of evil, it doesn’t make God less good, it reveals my finite knowledge.
It is only thru Almighty God can one find comfort, love, and hope in a world filled with evil, suffering, and pain.
A more thorough follow up response to a question I was asked during the Soul Winning Seminar.
When a man or woman turns to God in the midst of suffering, pain, or evil, they will discover a God who is more than able to bring good from the evil they are experiencing. What evil are you experiencing in your life? Will you turn to God and let Him bring good out of evil? Who else could you turn to?
Where was God?
Conclusion
Conclusion
Where is God?
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
The Bible “frames” the problem of evil by keeping it in the proper context. “Evil” is meaningless without something to compare it to. For comparison, we have the original creation of God, called “very good” (). We have the standard of goodness in God Himself. And we have an explanation for the various causes of evil and suffering.
Where was God in ?
CS Lewis remembered the quote from the Roman Epicurean poet Lucretius: “Had God designed the world, it would not be....A world so frail and faulty as we see.”
Evil can only exist in another not itself.
Okay, so Lewis made the existence of evil into an argument for God’s existence—but could you not turn it around and make the problem of evil into an internal contradiction within theism? In other words, some have argued that there is a contradiction in the set of ideas that Christianity believes.
Therefore, evil is not a thing or a substance.
Therefore, evil is a corruption of that which is good.
Paul Tournier in his book Creative Suffering argues that all great human leaders have had to overcome painful experiences in order to rise to their prominent leadership positions. To be without pain tends to keep your life on the surface of things. With pain you have the choice of how to face it—be overcome by it or rise above it. Pain presents an opportunity for victory or defeat. Above all, it wakes us up and makes us ask very basic questions that we might not ask otherwise.
Pain not only gets our attention, but it shatters the illusion that whatever things we have are enough to satisfy us. It is so very easy for us to divert or distract ourselves from looking at what is most important in life. When we experience even relatively minor pain, say of a toothache, we cannot do much else till we get it relieved. And, many types of pain are far greater than a toothache. However, when we are in over our heads, in the depths of despair we cry out to God in a way that we seldom, perhaps never, do otherwise. Lewis quotes Augustine to the effect that: “God wants to give us something but cannot because our hands are full— there’s nowhere for Him to put it.” Pain and suffering provide opportunities for heroism and for great good as we saw in the events surrounding September 11, 2001. Not only policemen and firemen but also many ordinary people gave their lives or worked to alleviate the pain of those involved. But, pain can also crush someone to the point of despair. There is in suffering the possibility of real gain or real loss. Lewis maintains that in this world we live in the “vale of soul-making” where we have serious choices and consequences over how we respond to evil.
Evil exists in the world.
Yes, evil exists in the world but only in another not itself.
Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch Christian who with her family helped Jews escape Nazi-occupied Holland in WWII, spent ten months in German prison camps. Four of the seven imprisoned family members died, including Corrie’s father and sister Betsie. After her release, Corrie shared her message of Jesus’ love being greater than all suffering and evil. She often used “The Weaver” poem in her messages:
My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me. I cannot choose the colors, He worketh steadily. Oft times he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride, Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside. Not till the looms are silent and the shuttles cease to fly, Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver’s skillful hand As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned. Author Unknown
But evil exists only in another not itself.
The Problem of Evil
An infinitely all-good good God
If an all powerful, all knowing, and all loving God exists, then evil does not.
Argument #3 — The perfection of God
Argument #3 — The perfection of God
There is evil in the world.
An infinitely all-good God cannot force or impose His will on someone else.
Therefore, an all powerful, all knowing, and all loving God does not exist.
Talking Points
Argument #3
The problem of evil is more of a problem for the skeptic, atheist, etc. Why? Because if evil exists, then good must also exists.
God created everything in the universe good. (, ; )
Who then defines what is good and what is evil? This brings us back to absolute Truth—back to God.
Things cannot be evil in themselves.
God is not evil. (; ; ; )
Therefore, evil is not a thing or a substance.
Humans are to blame for evil. (-ff; )
God has given us the ability to choose good and evil, and when we choose evil, He allows us, and those around us, to suffer the consequences of evil.
The Gospel answers the question where was God.
You are not forced into a relationship with God, that would violate God’s love; for an all-loving God cannot force someone to love Him.
God didn’t create evil, but God does allow evil to exist.
God chose to create a “real” world in which real choices have real consequences. He didn’t create robots. He didn’t create mindless drones. He gave man, Adam and Eve, the ability to decide for themselves to obey God or to disobey God.
The Gospel Argument
God uses evil for His purposes. (, ; ; )
God will one day eliminate all evil from this world. He will judge all all of mankind and punish those who have done evil. However, it is on His time table, not ours. “…Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
God is absolutely perfect.
God created everything.
Evil is not a thing or a substance.
Yet, evil is real
Start at the Original OF evil???
No one escapes evil and suffering.
Worldviews and Evil. Although every worldview has to deal with the problem of evil, it is an especially acute problem for theism. Of the three major worldviews, Herein is the problem; how can an absolutely good Being (God) be compatible with evil, the opposite of good?
Norman L. Geisler, “Evil, Problem Of,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 219.
All evil
Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics The Purpose of Evil
This inability to see the purpose for evil does not disprove God’s benevolence; it merely reveals our ignorance.
God has solved the problem of evil.
Nevertheless, it is important to address this issue because some believers and many unbelievers are caused to doubt God’s goodness, power, or even His existence because of particular evils they encounter in their lives. As I have talked to many people about this issue, I have found it important to distinguish between the intellectual problem of evil and the emotional responses to particular evils we face in our experience. Having the intellectual answer helps, but it does not make you immune from the emotional struggle, as we will see in Lewis’s agony over the death of his wife, Joy.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Establish “Problem” of Evil here
Atheists and skeptics best argument against the existence of God—this is their “proof” God and evil cannot exist
Crucial to be able to answer this question about Christianity
Universal effect on all people—good and bad
The atrocities of a terrorist attack compels us to anger because terror is an evil act.
God permits evil and has a good reason for doing so.
We consider these three settings...
Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch Christian who with her family helped many Jewish people escape Nazi-occupied Holland in WWII, spent ten months in German prison camps. On arrival at Ravensbruck the women were marched to the processing centre for new arrivals. Here they had to pile all of their belongings in the centre of the room and then strip naked and also add their clothes to the pile.
A more thorough follow up response to a question I was asked during the Soul Winning Seminar.
Where is God?
The Bible “frames” the problem of evil by keeping it in the proper context. “Evil” is meaningless without something to compare it to. For comparison, we have the original creation of God, called “very good” (). We have the standard of goodness in God Himself. And we have an explanation for the various causes of evil and suffering.
CS Lewis remembered the quote from the Roman Epicurean poet Lucretius: “Had God designed the world, it would not be....A world so frail and faulty as we see.”
Okay, so Lewis made the existence of evil into an argument for God’s existence—but could you not turn it around and make the problem of evil into an internal contradiction within theism? In other words, some have argued that there is a contradiction in the set of ideas that Christianity believes.
Paul Tournier in his book Creative Suffering argues that all great human leaders have had to overcome painful experiences in order to rise to their prominent leadership positions. To be without pain tends to keep your life on the surface of things. With pain you have the choice of how to face it—be overcome by it or rise above it. Pain presents an opportunity for victory or defeat. Above all, it wakes us up and makes us ask very basic questions that we might not ask otherwise.
Pain not only gets our attention, but it shatters the illusion that whatever things we have are enough to satisfy us. It is so very easy for us to divert or distract ourselves from looking at what is most important in life. When we experience even relatively minor pain, say of a toothache, we cannot do much else till we get it relieved. And, many types of pain are far greater than a toothache. However, when we are in over our heads, in the depths of despair we cry out to God in a way that we seldom, perhaps never, do otherwise. Lewis quotes Augustine to the effect that: “God wants to give us something but cannot because our hands are full— there’s nowhere for Him to put it.”
Pain and suffering provide opportunities for heroism and for great good as we saw in the events surrounding September 11, 2001. Not only policemen and firemen but also many ordinary people gave their lives or worked to alleviate the pain of those involved. But, pain can also crush someone to the point of despair. There is in suffering the possibility of real gain or real loss. Lewis maintains that in this world we live in the “vale of soul-making” where we have serious choices and consequences over how we respond to evil.
Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch Christian who with her family helped many Jewish people escape Nazi-occupied Holland in WWII, spent ten months in German prison camps. On arrival at Ravensbruck the women were marched to the processing centre for new arrivals. Here they had to pile all of their belongings in the centre of the room and then strip naked and also add their clothes to the pile.
On arrival at Ravensbruck the women were marched to the processing centre for new arrivals. Here they had to pile all of their belongings in the centre of the room and then strip naked and also add their clothes to the pile. Naked they had to walk under bright lights and past the scrutiny of a dozen guards towards the shower room. Using her ingenuity Corrie managed to take her sister into the shower room before undressing and in this way she managed to hide her bible, a bottle of vitamin pills inside a sweater which later her sister would wear. By this stage Betsie was emaciated and quite ill. The bible became Corries only comfort and daily she would read from it to herself and to the other women. Thus in that evil hell hole, Corrie’s faith blossomed. And all the time she watched her sister get sicker and die an agonising death but never once wavering in her faith.
Naked they had to walk under bright lights and past the scrutiny of a dozen guards towards the shower room. Using her ingenuity Corrie managed to take her sister into the shower room before undressing and in this way she managed to hide her bible, a bottle of vitamin pills inside a sweater which later her sister would wear. By this stage Betsie was emaciated and quite ill. The bible became Corries only comfort and daily she would read from it to herself and to the other women. Thus in that evil hell hole, Corrie’s faith blossomed. And all the time she watched her sister get sicker and die an agonising death but never once wavering in her faith.
On arrival at Ravensbruck the women were marched to the processing centre for new arrivals. Here they had to pile all of their belongings in the centre of the room and then strip naked and also add their clothes to the pile. Naked they had to walk under bright lights and past the scrutiny of a dozen guards towards the shower room. Using her ingenuity Corrie managed to take her sister into the shower room before undressing and in this way she managed to hide her bible, a bottle of vitamin pills inside a sweater which later her sister would wear. By this stage Betsie was emaciated and quite ill. The bible became Corries only comfort and daily she would read from it to herself and to the other women. Thus in that evil hell hole, Corrie’s faith blossomed. And all the time she watched her sister get sicker and die an agonising death but never once wavering in her faith.
“And that’s when I saw him, working his way forward against the others. One moment I saw the overcoat and the brown hat; the next, a blue uniform and a visored cap with its skull and crossbones. It came back with a rush: the huge room with its harsh overhead lights; the pathetic pile of dresses and shoes in the center of the floor; the shame of walking naked past this man. I could see my sister’s frail form ahead of me, ribs sharp beneath the parchment skin. Betsie, how thin you were!
[Betsie and I had been arrested for concealing Jews in our home during the Nazi occupation of Holland; this man had been a guard at Ravensbruck concentration camp where we were sent.]
“Now he was in front of me, hand thrust out: ‘A fine message, Fräulein! How good it is to know that, as you say, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea!’
“And I, who had spoken so glibly of forgiveness, fumbled in my pocketbook rather than take that hand. He would not remember me, of course—how could he remember one prisoner among those thousands of women?
“But I remembered him and the leather crop swinging from his belt. I was face-to-face with one of my captors and my blood seemed to freeze.
“ ‘You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk,’ he was saying, ‘I was a guard there.’ No, he did not remember me.
“ ‘But since that time,’ he went on, ‘I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fräulein,’ again the hand came out—’will you forgive me?’
“And I stood there—I whose sins had again and again to be forgiven—and could not forgive. Betsie had died in that place—could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking?
“It could not have been many seconds that he stood there—hand held out—but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.
“For I had to do it—I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. ‘If you do not forgive men their trespasses,’ Jesus says, ‘neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’
After her release, Corrie shared her message of Jesus’ love being greater than all suffering and evil. She often used “The Weaver” poem in her messages:
Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch Christian who with her family helped Jews escape Nazi-occupied Holland in WWII, spent ten months in German prison camps. Four of the seven imprisoned family members died, including Corrie’s father and sister Betsie. After her release, Corrie shared her message of Jesus’ love being greater than all suffering and evil. She often used “The Weaver” poem in her messages:
My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me.
My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me.
I cannot choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
I cannot choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
Oft times he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Oft times he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Not till the looms are silent and the shuttles cease to fly,
Not till the looms are silent and the shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why
The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver’s skillful hand
The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
Author Unknown
Author Unknown
The Problem of Evil
Talking Points
The problem of evil is more of a problem for the skeptic, atheist, etc. Why? Because if evil exists, then good must also exists.
Who then defines what is good and what is evil? This brings us back to absolute Truth—back to God.
God is not evil. (; ; ; )
Humans are to blame for evil. (-ff; )
God has given us the ability to choose good and evil, and when we choose evil, He allows us, and those around us, to suffer the consequences of evil.
You are not forced into a relationship with God, that would violate God’s love; for an all-loving God cannot force someone to love Him.
God didn’t create evil, but God does allow evil to exist.
God chose to create a “real” world in which real choices have real consequences. He didn’t create robots. He didn’t create mindless drones. He gave man, Adam and Eve, the ability to decide for themselves to obey God or to disobey God.
God uses evil for His purposes. (, ; ; )
God will one day eliminate all evil from this world. He will judge all all of mankind and punish those who have done evil. However, it is on His time table, not ours. “…Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”