THE QUESTION: If an all-powerful and all-good God truly does exist, how do you explain all of the evil that exists in the world today? How can both exist…?

• If God were all powerful, He could destroy If God were all powerful, He could destroy evilevil

• If God were all good, He would want to If God were all good, He would want to destroy evildestroy evil

•But evil is not destroyedBut evil is not destroyed•Therefore, an all-powerful and all-good Therefore, an all-powerful and all-good

God does not existGod does not exist - J. S. Mill- J. S. Mill

What was the Number One objection people had to God when polled by George Barna for Lee Strobel’s book?

Why is there so Why is there so much evil in the much evil in the

world?world?

My StoryMy Story

““My faith in God went up in smoke with my little My faith in God went up in smoke with my little sister in the furnaces of Auschwitz…”sister in the furnaces of Auschwitz…” - Elie Wiesel- Elie Wiesel

• What is Evil?What is Evil?• Did God create Evil?Did God create Evil?• Where did Evil come from?Where did Evil come from?• What kinds of Evil are there? What kinds of Evil are there?

Evil is a privation or corruption that Evil is a privation or corruption that exists in something that was originally exists in something that was originally

good and perfect - Plotinusgood and perfect - Plotinus

1.1.Metaphysical EvilMetaphysical Evil2.2.Moral EvilMoral Evil3.3.Natural EvilNatural Evil

1.1. Satan Satan 2.2. The fallen worldThe fallen world3.3. Punishment from GodPunishment from God4.4. Suffering from following ChristSuffering from following Christ5.5. Maturing from GodMaturing from God

• Job 1:10, Satan complains to God about the protection Job has: “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?”

• Paul was troubled by the lowering of this hedge of protection on himself –2 Cor. 12:7: “there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me”

• 1 Thessalonians 2:18: “For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us.”

• 1 Peter 5:8: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

• In Rev. 2:10, Jesus tells the church in Smyrna: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days.”

Notice what question this verse answers… Is God in control of evil? According to the enemy, the answer is “Yes”… c.f. 2 Thes. 2:6-7

SatanSatan

“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. “ - (Ro 8:19-22).

The Fallen WorldThe Fallen World

Hebrews 12:5-6: “and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.””

Punishment from GodPunishment from God

• Matthew 10:22: “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”

• 2 Timothy 3:12: “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”

Suffering from Following ChristSuffering from Following Christ

James 1:2-4: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Maturing Process used by GodMaturing Process used by God

““If God has singled you out to be a special If God has singled you out to be a special object of His grace you may expect Him to object of His grace you may expect Him to

honor you with stricter discipline and honor you with stricter discipline and greater suffering than less favored ones are greater suffering than less favored ones are

called upon to endure.” called upon to endure.” - A. W. Tozer, The Ministry of the NightA. W. Tozer, The Ministry of the Night

• If God were all powerful, He could destroy If God were all powerful, He could destroy evilevil

• If God were all good, He would want to If God were all good, He would want to destroy evildestroy evil

•But evil is not destroyedBut evil is not destroyed•Therefore, an all-powerful and all-good Therefore, an all-powerful and all-good

God does not existGod does not exist - J. S. Mill- J. S. Mill

yet

ReliefRelief

““and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have things have passed awaypassed away. And He who sits on the . And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new. throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.

And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” true.” Revelation 21:4-5Revelation 21:4-5