Welcome to APOLOGETICS (THE3013) Lesson Twelve “Why Does God Permit Suffering?” Dr. Arnold Lastinger, Instructor

STATING THE PROBLEM How can God be good (that is, not willing evil), wise (able to construct a universe that is not a jumble of confusion”, and powerful (not letting anything exist which is beyond His control), and still permit evil to exist? How can God be good (that is, not willing evil), wise (able to construct a universe that is not a jumble of confusion”, and powerful (not letting anything exist which is beyond His control), and still permit evil to exist? David Hume (atheist philosopher) states the problem this way: “Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?” (Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, 1974, p. 490) David Hume (atheist philosopher) states the problem this way: “Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?” (Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, 1974, p. 490)

How do we reconcile the existence of evil in this world and the existence of a benevolent, loving God?

DEFINITION OF EVIL Secularists define EVIL as anything that is not good. Secularists define EVIL as anything that is not good. Theologians tend to distinguish between: Theologians tend to distinguish between: Moral Evil: (violation of a moral code, which is usually called sin) Natural Evil: (bad things that happen without man’s involvement; i.e. disasters, natural calamities)

THREE QUESTIONS QUANTITY: Even if God has a purpose for evil, why must there be SO MUCH of it? QUANTITY: Even if God has a purpose for evil, why must there be SO MUCH of it? INTENSITY: Even if there is some justification for evil, why is some evil so BAD? INTENSITY: Even if there is some justification for evil, why is some evil so BAD? GRATUITOUS: Some evil seems to be so pointless that there appears to be no justification for it. GRATUITOUS: Some evil seems to be so pointless that there appears to be no justification for it.

PHILOSOPHICAL ATTEMPTS To solve the problem A. EVIL AS A METAPHYSICAL LACK: Perfection is found only in God; the further creation gets away from God the more flawed it becomes. PROBLEM: This philosophy is founded in a Greek philosophy called Neoplatonism; it assumes a form of pantheism (God is everything and everything is God) PROBLEM: This philosophy is founded in a Greek philosophy called Neoplatonism; it assumes a form of pantheism (God is everything and everything is God)

PHILOSOPHICAL ATTEMPTS To solve the problem B. EVIL AS AN INSTRUMENT: God uses evil as an instrument for the ultimate good of man. (7 versions of this view) 1. AESTHETIC VERSION: Despite appearances to the contrary, all evil is instrumental in contributing to the beauty of the universe 2. DUALISTIC VERSION: Good and evil are built into the universe; good will ultimately triumph

B. EVIL AS AN INSTRUMENT: 3.DEFINITION THEORY: In order to know and appreciate goodness, one must experience evil. 4.STRUGGLE THEORY: We need evil to build character in us 5.CALVIN’S THEORY: Because God is sovereign, ultimately everything will point to His glory. 6.LEIBNIZ’S THEORY: In order for God to create the best of all possible worlds, some evil had to exist. 7.SOUL-MAKING: Man’s character is developed as he is confronted with obstacles.

PHILOSOPHICAL ATTEMPTS To solve the problem C. EVIL AND THE REALITY OF FREEDOM: In order for man to be fully free, he had to have the potential for evil (otherwise he would be an automaton) D. EVIL AS A GIVEN: Evil need not be explained; it simply exists. Someday it will be dealt with by an all-powerful God.

CHRISTIAN ATTEMPTS To solve the problem A. CHRISTOLOGICAL VIEW: Does not attempt to explain evil; the cross of Christ says all we need to know (Karl Barth, Sir Robert Anderson, et. al.) B. DOXOLOGICAL VERDICT: Everything that happens is reason to give praise to God because of our trust in His perfect will for us. (Merlin Carothers, Power in Praise, 1973, p. 5)

CHRISTIAN ATTEMPTS To solve the problem C. ESCHATOLOGICAL VERDICT: Makes no attempt to resolve the tangles of this present life; justice is reserved for a future time beyond this life (Immanuel Kant, )

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES THE BOOK OF JOB: four themes… 1. The Basis of Love for God: love God for what He is, not for what he does for us 2. The Eschatological Interpretation: Ultimately, good will triumph because justice is part of God’s nature. 3. The Providence of God: We may not see the problem resolved, but we learn to live with it through God’s provision. 4. The Instrumental Aspect of Evil: God used Job’s trials to help him appreciate God’s ultimate blessings on him.

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES Psalm Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2 But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4 They seem to live such a painless life; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5 They aren't troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else. 6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty. 7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES Psalm 73 8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11 "Does God realize what is going on?" they ask. "Is the Most High even aware of what is happening?" 12 Look at these arrogant people — enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13 Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? 14 All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES Psalm If I had really spoken this way, I would have been a traitor to your people. 16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! 17 Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19 In an instant they are destroyed, swept away by terrors. 20 Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When you arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life. 21 Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen.

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES 22 I was so foolish and ignorant — I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. 23 Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. 24 You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. 27 But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES Habakkuk (Hab. 2:1-4) I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the LORD will say to me and how he will answer my complaint. Then the LORD said to me, "Write my answer in large, clear letters on a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else. But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith.”

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES Luke 13:1-5 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were sacrificing at the Temple in Jerusalem. "Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than other people from Galilee?" he asked. "Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will also perish unless you turn from your evil ways and turn to God. And what about the eighteen men who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will also perish."

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES Romans 8:18-25 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES Romans 8:18-25 And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

KEY BIBLICAL PASSAGES REVELATION The entire book is devoted to showing the ultimate triumph of good over evil and the annihilation of all that is evil

Is There A BIBLICAL SYNTHESIS? SEVERAL THINGS MUST BE CONSIDERED: FREEDOM and CHOICE: God wanted man to be able to choose to love Him Without the capacity to choose, man is less than human Evil is not a “thing” that it can be created When God gave man a choice, He made evil possible In order for man to be able to choose to love God, he had to have the freedom to choose NOT to love God; hence…evil!

Is There A BIBLICAL SYNTHESIS? SEVERAL THINGS MUST BE CONSIDERED: JUDGMENT AND SATAN: At the present time, God’s MERCY is withholding judgment on evil But, His justice demands that judgment will ultimately be carried out By His GRACE, God gives us what we do not deserve—forgiveness and love Also given the right to choice, Lucifer (Satan) rebelled against God and became the father of evil Satan and evil will ultimately be destroyed.

Is There A BIBLICAL SYNTHESIS? SEVERAL THINGS MUST BE CONSIDERED: GOD’S PERSONAL ACTION: God is not just a disinterested bystander of uncontrollable destiny Because He is a holy God He must judge sin But, because He loves man, He provides an atonement for his sins in the person of Jesus In doing so, He not only provides salvation for mankind, but He spells the doom of Satan and evil in the end.