2. Why Does God Allow Sin and Suffering? (Job 19:23-29)

3. “God Could’ve Halted Carnage” “The carnage continues. As of this writing (Oct. 9), over 20,000 have been killed by the earthquake in India and Pakistan. In Central America, over 600 people have been killed by the flooding from Hurricane Stan. Hurricane Katrina killed over 1,000 people in the southern United States. Did all of this happen while an all-good and all- powerful God refused to stop it? No. An all-good and all powerful God would have stopped it.” (Letter to the editor, Daily Southtown, 10/27/05)

4. Source of Evil and Suffering God’s creation was perfect –Perfect, sin-free environment (Genesis 1:31) –No physical and moral imperfections Satan brought sin and suffering –He tempted Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-7) –Sin and suffering remains to this day Consequences touched all creation –Curses were pronounced (Genesis 3:14-17) –Even the ground was cursed

5. Does Suffering Imply Evil? This question presupposes man’s choice –Mankind excuses sin with, “I’m only human.” –Isn’t that true when good has been done? We have the marvelous gift of free will –All Satan can do is tempt us (James 1:13-16) –We have a choice (Genesis 4:6, 7)

6. Does Suffering Imply Evil? Causes of suffering –Punitive (Joshua 7:35) –Disciplinary (Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 3:11, 12; 13:24; 15:5; Hebrews 12:5-13) –Testing our faith (Job 23:10; James 1:2, 3) –Suffering in place of another (Psalm 53) –Redemptive (1 Peter 2:20-23) –Inexplicable (Daniel 3:16-18) –Always consequences (Romans 6:23)

7. Why Do The Righteous Suffer? Some believe it is always due to sin –Job’s friends accepted this idea (Job 5:17) –Job asked for proof (Job 6:24-30) Suffering helps shape our character –The word “chastening” involves instruction, and corrective action. –God acts in such a way that some lessons are painful (Hebrews 12:5) –Do we seek to spare our children this lesson?

8. Why Do The Righteous Suffer? We are stronger for having suffered –Suffering teaches us to depend on God (Deuteronomy 8:1-5) –Learn what Paul did (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) –Means of building endurance (Romans 5:3-5) –Reminder that God is in control (Genesis 50:20) –He wants us to be faithful, not comfortable (Matthew 10:34-37)