Questions of Evil

If God, who is all knowing and perfectly good knew that the inhabitants of Earth would go through pain and suffering, then how/why did he create Earth at all

Omnipotence

The attribute of omnipotence refers to God’s unconditioned power to do that which he wills in accordance with his nature

In creation God created the world perfectly.

summary of creation

Perfect harmony

No intention of Evil

However despite the intention God knew that people would choose to do what is right in their own eyes.

when people sin, they participate in and add to the suffering of the world.

Now this does not mean that God is any less loving our powerful. rather we see that God created people to be in a loving relationship where they can choose to be his or choose not to be.

God in his omnipotence creates out of love for his people. He creates a good world and lets the inhabitance choose what they do

God as tyrant: god could make it so people have not choice however God does not play the tyrant with his creation.

Suffering

We see suffering in all areas of life. Many of us in the room suffering at our own hands, or have suffered as a result of what has been done to us.

additionally we as a community have experienced a great evil and horrible violence

The scriptures speaks of suffering on many times

Suffering of Christ:

one of the primary examples of suffering is the sufferings of Jesus. Christ suffered death, torture, abuse at the hands of others yet he didn't respond with evil

1 Peter 2:22–24

“22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

Jesus endured suffering but never fought against it rather he endured it

Hebrews 2:10 “10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.”

It was in christ suffering we are brought into relationship with Jesus.

Our suffering

The scriptures actually claims that we are going to go through suffering.

1 Peter all about it

1 Peter 1:6–7 “6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 5:6–10 “6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

God Presence:

God promises that he will be with his people, that he will never leave or forsake them

Romans 8:38–39 “38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

suffering doesn’t separate us from god rather it should draw us closer

There is evil and suffering in the world but there is also a light

Genesis 50:20 “20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

God uses suffering and evil for redemptive purposes

and so should we

share the gospel

be there and present

be the light in the darkness

Revelation 21:1–4 “1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””