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1. Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.

The Problem of Evil. 1. Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble. 2. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue. Job. 14:1-2 NKJV. Two Views about God.

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1. Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.

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  1. The Problem of Evil 1. Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble. 2. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.Job. 14:1-2 NKJV

  2. Two Views about God ATHEIST = One who holds there is enough evidence to conclude that God does not exist THEIST = One who holds there is enough evidence to conclude that God does exist

  3. The Problem of Evil • God is all powerful • 2. God is all good • 3. Evil exists in this world • 4. Good is opposed to evil in such a way that it eliminates all evil. • 5. No limits to what an all powerful being can do. • 6. A good all powerful being would eliminate evil completely. Omnipotent Omnibenevolent

  4. The Problem of Evil Conclusion reached by ATHEIST GOD DOES NOT EXIST • God is all powerful • God is Good • Evil exists Logical contradiction

  5. The Problem of Evil • There is suffering all around... • Questions: • Is God willing but not able ? • Is God able but not willing ? • Why do we have suffering ?

  6. The Problem of Evil Implications… 1. If suffering exists then God does not exist. 2. Suffering exists. 3. Therefore God does not exist. The Conclusion of atheists

  7. Need to Answer • What is evil? • Limits to what an all powerful being can do • It is not the case that a good, all powerful being eliminates evil completely

  8. What is Evil ? Sinis the only real evil... 1 Jn. 3:4 = transgression “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Gal. 5:19-21 = works of flesh “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like”

  9. What is Evil ? It is not evil that Evil Exists ! Impossible to create a man who could not sin ! Free Moral agent. Choice Responsible for our own sins. The Only Real Evil is sin !

  10. Limits to what an All Powerful Being Can Do Some Logical impossibilities: 4 sided triangle - Round square Rock so big He cannot lift it Impossible to create an intelligent free moral agent and place him in a situation in which he is beyond all possibility of sinning !

  11. Limits to what an All Powerful Being Can Do God Wants man to Love Him John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Must be free moral agents Love is voluntary

  12. Limits to what an All Powerful Being Can Do Man’s choice to sin brought death ! 1 Cor. 15:21 Death brought disease/suffering John 16:33 “tribulation” = persecution, trouble Job 14:1-2 “full of trouble”

  13. Limits to what an All Powerful Being Can Do • It is true that God made man with the possibility that he could sin. • It was necessary that God make us this way so we could love him. • But God is not responsible for the sins committed by man !

  14. Not the case that a Good All Powerful Being Eliminates evil completely God cannot make a man who is a free moral agent, without giving him the liberty to choose right or wrong ! Logical Contradiction -- problem of evil Titus 1:2 “God cannot lie”

  15. Not the case that a Good All Powerful Being Eliminates evil completely • Impossibility to create a man who could not sin. • Not that God is not good • Not that God is weak

  16. Not the case that a Good All Powerful Being Eliminates evil completely Only real evil in the world is sin ! But what about hurricanes, floods, earthquakes ?

  17. Could this world be Improved ? This world is as good as any possible world could be in serving as man’s temporary abiding place. Natural calamities are not in themselves evil !

  18. What kind of world is suited for man ? • Not a pleasure paradise • Allows man to be free moral agent • Provides basic physical needs • Challenges man’s intellectual powers • Challenges man to follow God • Small in comparison to eternity

  19. God is all knowing - omniscient • God knew man would fall into sin • God desired to save man from sin • God knew man would need a place to develop so he could come back and obey God. • God created the world for this purpose !

  20. What about Hurricanes? World not created as man’s permanent dwelling place. Good for man to realize that life on earth will be brief and the exact time it will end is uncertain.

  21. Calamities help remind us of.. James 4:14 = life is short, vapour Matt. 24:44 - exact time of ending is unknown Things of earth are temporary Matt. 6:19-20 1 Tim. 6:7-8

  22. Why Do the Righteous Suffer ? 1. If automatically removed all problems then many would obey for that reason. - Jn. 14:15 2. God did not promise we would be exempt from suffering - Jn. 16:33 3. Without suffering the righteous could not sympathize with men 4. Pain humbles us - 2 Cor. 12:7 5. Ps. 119:71 “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; ...”

  23. Small in Comparison to Eternity ! • Suffering and pain are really small when we think about: • Blessings of heaven • Punishments of hell • 2 Cor. 4:17, 18

  24. What is Evil ? • Anything that interferes with our life as a child of God is evil - Rom. 6:23 = Sin • Pain, suffering, hurricanes are not evil • God knew the kind of world that would be best for man! • Sometimes that includes hurricanes !

  25. God has prepared a better Place

  26. Heaven

  27. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 arthurpigman@bellsouth.net www.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening May 12, 2013

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