The Problem of Evil and Suffering

Iron Sharpens Iron Meeting   March 17, 2001

Notes and Outline

"Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to; or he cannot and does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, and does not want to, he is wicked. But, if God both can and wants to abolish evil, then how come there is evil in the world?" Epicurus, Philosopher

"The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single greatest challenge to the Christian faith, and has been in every generation. It's distribution and degree appear to be entirely random and therefore, unfair. Sensitive spirits ask if it can possibly be reconciled with God's justice and love." John Stott, Theologian

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Job: "God may kill me, but still I trust Him..." Job 13:15a

I. The Question... How Could It Be?

"A loving God' could not possibly be the author of the horrors we have been describing - horrors that continue every day, have continued since time began, and will continue as long as life exists. It is an inconceivable tale of suffering and death, and because the tale is fact - is, in truth, the history of the world - it is obvious that there cannot be a loving God." Charles Templeton, Former Pastor, Turned Atheist

II. An Analogy: "The Hunter, A Bear and A Trap"

III. Presuppositions... About God and Evil

Christians believe in five (5) things:

1. God exists.

2. God is all-powerful.

3. God is all-knowing.

4. God is all-good.

5. Evil exists.

1. How can evil and an all-powerful God coexist?

Notes: God did not create evil, but God did create the "potential" for evil, through the free will that God gave mankind. There can not be free will without the potential for evil.

2. How can evil and an all-knowing God coexist?

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:3-5

3. How can evil and an all-good God coexist?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5

IV. A Question for Cops

Why doesn't God carry out His justice when evil seems to prevail?

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." C.S. Lewis

Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Matthew 9:12

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelations 21:4

Questions for Discussion and Thought