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The “Problem” of Evil

The “Problem” of Evil. The Epicurean Paradox.

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The “Problem” of Evil

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  1. The “Problem” of Evil

  2. The Epicurean Paradox • “Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, he is wicked. If God can abolish evil, and God really wants to do it, why is there evil in the world?”

  3. Three Assertions: • God is Good • God is Powerful • Evil Exists

  4. Three Questions: • Who are you to argue against God?

  5. Who Are You? • “who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? 21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? 22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? “ -Romans 9:20-22

  6. Who Are You? • "Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 "Now gird up your loins like man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, 5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? 6 "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone” (Job 38:2-6).

  7. Who Are You? • Then the LORD said to Job, 2 "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it." 3 Then Job answered the LORD and said, 4 "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5 "Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more." (Job 40:1-5)

  8. Three Questions: • Who are you to argue against God? • By what standard do you make such a judgment?

  9. By what standard do you make moral judgments against God? • The unbeliever has no logical or rational basis to make such an argument against God • Arbitrary and Subjective Opinion

  10. Do you Believe in Absolute Morality and Truth? “One cannot consistently affirm both that there are no objective moral values, on the one hand, and that rape, torture and the like are objectively morally evil on the other.” – Chad Meister

  11. Three Questions: • Who are you to argue against God? • By what standard do you make such a judgment? • If God were to rid the world of evil, what would happen to you?

  12. What Would Happen to You? • “Why is God being so gracious to the rest of us?” • If God were to destroy all of the evil in this world in five minutes, where will you be one second after that?

  13. Three Questions: • Who are you to argue against God? • By what standard do you make such a judgment? • If God were to rid the world of evil, what would happen to you?

  14. Three Assertions: Four Assertions: • God is Good • God Is All- Powerful • Evil Does Exist • God has a morally sufficient reason for the evil which exists

  15. "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. (Acts 4:27-28) THE CROSS

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