Evil people Suffering Famine Disease Disasters War these

Evil people. . . Suffering. . . Famine. . . Disease. . . Disasters. . . War. . . …these are the undeniable realities of our world.

How can we Christians believe in a Good God when there is so much pain, suffering and evil in the world today?

How can a Good God and Evil exist at the same time?

Our Method: The BIBLICAL approach. Weakness: Will not say everything that could be said. Strength: Says everything God wants to be said.

Part 1: The Source of Evil Part 2: The Solution to Evil

The secret things belong to the LORD our God… Deuteronomy 29: 29

Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it. Ecclesiastes 8: 17

Part 1: The Source of Evil

1. Evil exists.

The word “evil” (and its cognates) appears in scripture 542 times in 507 different verses.

Evil in the Bible - The Kings “did evil in the sight of the Lord” (56 x’s). - The Psalmists lament those who did evil and got away with it. - The Prophets cry out against the evil acts performed by the Israelites.

“…but deliver us from evil. ” Matthew 6: 13 (NASB)

2. Evil is a result of a fallen world brought about by human rebellion and Satan’s continued influence.

The “Source” of Evil - God created the world “good. ” - Satan and mankind rebelled against this good world and all evil is ultimately attributed to them.

- God created the world “good. ”

“And God saw that it was good. ” Genesis 1: 10, 12, 18, 21, 25 “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. ” Genesis 1: 31

- Satan and mankind rebelled against this good world and all evil is ultimately attributed to them.

Answered Questions - There were a group of angels that rebelled against God. - These angels were led by an angel named Satan. - These angels were cast out of heaven.

Unanswered Questions - When did this happen? - Why did created angels turn to become rebellious? - Were the angels themselves tempted by something evil, as the serpent tempted Eve?

Unanswered Questions - If so, how did such evil come into existence? - Where did the evil come from that led created angels to fall, who then led humans to fall? Source: Christopher J. H. Wright, The God I Don’t Understand

Satan’s Influence What we do know, however, is that Satan does exist, and is responsible in Scripture for introducing evil into this world. It is from his influence on Adam and Eve (and his continued influence on mankind) that all evil things—including pain and suffering— happen in this world.

The “Fall” of Mankind - The magnitude of the rebellion was larger than we may comprehend. - Our own guilt in the rebellion is greater than we may recognize. - The effects of the “fall” are more far-reaching than we may realize.

The Fall: Its Magnitude The Fall of mankind was not just a failure to do what God said; it was an open rebellion against God Himself, and ultimately amounts to a “coup” by Adam and Eve.

“‘You surely will not die, ’ the serpent said to the woman. ” “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. ” Genesis 3: 4 -5

The Fall: Our Guilt The Bible ascribes the guilt of Adam and Eve to all mankind. In some way, shape or form, we are all responsible for their sin.

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned. ” Romans 5: 12

The Fall: Its Effects Everything in this world—from evil actions to sickness to death to even cataclysmic events—stem from the Fall.

Death (And Sickness) “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned. ” Romans 5: 12

Evil Actions “For out of the heart come evil thoughts-- murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ” Matthew 15: 19

Cataclysmic Events For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it. Romans 8: 20

The End Result

Who is Really to Blame for Evil? While God often gets accused of being the offender, who is really responsible for the evil acts of the world around us?

[Quote from Christopher J. H. Wright, The God I Don’t Understand]

Jews, and I did not speak First they came for the out-- Socialists, and I did not speak out-Because I was not a Jew. Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for me--and Then they came for there was no one left to Trade Unionists, and I did speak for me. not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Martin Niemöller Unionist. Then they came for the

“There is enough food in the world today for everyone to have the nourishment necessary for a healthy and productive life. ” World Food Programme

"Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor. 14 He says, 'I will build myself a great palace with spacious upper rooms. ' So he makes large windows in it, panels it with cedar sdsds

and decorates it in red. 15 "Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went 16 well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me? " declares the LORD.

17 "But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. " Jeremiah 22: 13 -17

The Question, Reframed good Why do bad things happen to good people?

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they 3 suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them-- do you think they were more guilty than all the others 5 living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. " Luke 13: 1 -5

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5: 45

But What About the Wrath of God? The protest may arise—but are there not times when God’s does actually cause suffering on this earth? The “wrath” of God that He pours out on innocent people?

But What About the Wrath of God? - First, we may say (as we have already said) that there is no such thing as “innocent” people. - Second, the question needs to be asked, “What does the biblical wrath of God really entail? ”

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people… 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts… 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind… Romans 1: 18, 24, 28

Not Getting What We Deserve Therefore, one of God’s greatest gifts is that He actually protects us from ourselves by restraining human wickedness and thus the full force of evil in this world.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2: 7 (NASB)

Summary Because of man’s sinfulness and continued rebellion against God, God would have been totally justified in letting mankind exist suffering the consequences of their own evil.

“We live in an age where everyone is concerned about their ‘rights. ’ But there is a profound sense in which our ‘rights’ before God have been sacrificed by our sin. If in fact we believe that our sin properly deserves the wrath of God, then we experience the sufferings of this world, all of them the consequences of human rebellion, we will be sdsd

less quick to blame God and a lot quicker to recognize that we have no fundamental right to expect a life of unbroken ease and comfort. From the biblical perspective, it is because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. ” D. A. Carson

The Solution to Evil

3. God “answered” the problem of evil on the cross.

The Cross and Evil In addition to taking the sins of mankind on Himself on the cross, Jesus also pronounced His judgment on the evil forces of the world, and free mankind from those same forces.

The Cross and Evil Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2: 14 -15

The Cross and Evil Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father… Galatians 1: 3 -4

The Cross and Evil: The Conclusion Though He didn’t have to—after all, mankind was getting what it deserved—by sending His Son to die on the cross, God showed that He does not tolerate evil and thus through the death of His Son, defeated evil.

4. Evil ceases to be a “problem” when viewed in light of eternity.

The “Long View” on Evil While all human beings are sinful, it is true that on this earth people don’t seem to be repaid equally for their “level” of wickedness. If this earth were all that there was, that might be a problem. But the Bible continually makes it clear that it is not.

If you say, "But we knew nothing about this, " does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done? Proverbs 24: 12 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. Matthew 16: 27 God will repay each person according to what they have done. Romans 2: 6

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-- they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Revelation 21: 8

The End of Evil For those who have admitted their wickedness and desire to no longer live in it by resubmitting to the God of the universe, an eternitywithout evil awaits.

The End of Evil: The Book of Revelation - There will be no more sea (21: 1). - There will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain (21: 4). - There will be no more sin (21: 7 -8). - There will be no more darkness and night (21: 25; 22: 5).

The End of Evil: The Book of Revelation - There will be no more impurity, shame or deceit (21: 27). - There will be no more international strife (22: 2). - There will be no more curse (22: 3). Thus there will be a(n underserved) return to Eden.

5. No evil can exist unless it can be used for God’s good purposes for those who love Him.

Evil Turned for Good God does not cause evil—humans do under the influence of Satan. But God does allow evil. Evil allowed by God, however, cannot exist without God’s ability to use it for His good purposes.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8: 28 -29

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Genesis 50: 20

This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. Acts 2: 23

Evil Turned for Good It appears as if one of God’s primary reasons for withholding the ultimate, once-and-for-all final defeat of evil is to allow more people to experience the ultimate good: eternity with Him.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3: 9

The Response to Evil

The Response to Evil - Lament over evil. - Do what you can to eradicate evil by supporting Kingdom-endeavors. - Weep with those who weep.

Lament Over Evil We can’t explain everything in this world. The proper response, therefore, is not to explain everything—but to lament over the sadness of evil.

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, 4 and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him, " and my foes will rejoice when I fall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13

Eradicate Evil We are to play our part—whatever role we can—in eliminating evil from this earth. In other words…

“Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone. ” Andy Stanley

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” Matthew 25: 21

Weep with Those Who Weep We don’t “throw” theology at someone going through a difficult time. Cute “Christianese” phrases—like some of those seen at the beginning —don’t help. Instead, we are called in Scripture to come alongside those who are weeping and weep with them.

After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. ” Job 42: 7

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12: 15

And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Charles Wesley, And Can It Be?