Where is God?:Making Sense of

Suffering and Evil

Hard Questions

If God is so good, why is there so much evil in the world?

If following Christ is the only true way, what about those who have never heard? What about sincere Muslims, Buddhists, etc.?

Why is the Bible the only “word of God?”

?

?

?

Moral EvilSuffering caused by the moral choices of others

[crime, abuse, etc.]

Natural EvilSuffering caused by “natural”causes or results

[disasters, disease, etc.]

Evil, Suffering, Pain?

 Troubles? Take heart!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

God is . . . 1.God is all-knowing.2.God is all-good.3.God is all-powerful.4.Evil exists.

God is all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful

1. If God is all-knowing, we would have known that evil was going to enter the world.

2. If God is all-good, He would destroy evil3. If God is all-powerful, He could destroy evil4.But evil is not destroyed.5.Therefore, there is no all-knowing, all-good,

all-powerful God.

Six Truths about Evil and Suffering

1.God created the world good and with the highest interpersonal quality – Love.

2.Love necessarily involves a choice of the will. Thus, God created the world with the possibility of evil and suffering.

3.Evil is a parasite; good that is twisted.4.Evil and suffering is a constant reminder that

there is something wrong.5.Good constantly redeems evil.6.Evil and suffering have an end.

God is all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful

1. If God is all-knowing, we would have known that evil was going to enter the world.

2. If God is all-good, He would destroy evil3. If God is all-powerful, He could destroy evil4.But evil is not destroyed.5.Therefore, there is no all-knowing, all-good,

all-powerful God.

yet

God is all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful

1. If God is all-knowing, we would have known that evil was going to enter the world.

2. If God is all-good, He would destroy evil3. If God is all-powerful, He could destroy evil4.But evil is not destroyed. yet

Further Reading – Further Equipping

Peter Kreeft, Making Sense Out of Suffering

Philip Yancey, Where is God When It Hurts?

Tim Keller, The Reason for God

Os Guinness, Unspeakable: Facing Up To Evil in an Age of Genocide and Terror

C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain