Life on a Broken Planet The Christian Worldview and the Problem of Evil

4. responding to evil Life on a Broken Planet: The Problem of Evil

God’s dilemma Divine Sovereignty Divine and perfect goodness God’s perfect justice But we cry: Avenge me Romans 1:18-20 …God’s wrath… The inevitable collision between the goodness of God and anything that opposes it; a “pressing down.” Romans 1:18-20 …God’s wrath… The inevitable collision between the goodness of God and anything that opposes it; a “pressing down.”

GOD’S RESPONSE responding to evil

“Then comes the real shock. Among these Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if he was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says he has always existed. He says he is coming to judge the world at the end of time… what this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by human lips.” – C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity

… God's solution to the problem of evil is his Son Jesus Christ. The Father's love sent his Son to die for us to defeat the power of evil in human nature: that's the heart of the Christian story. ….God is not off the hook; God is the hook. That's the point of a cross.[P. Kreeft] Can God’s love and justice coexist? His love “outwits” his justice at the Cross – The deeper magic

God lifted the curtain on the problem of evil with Christ at the Cross. There, the greatest evil that ever happened, both the greatest spiritual evil and the greatest physical evil, both the greatest sin (deicide) and the greatest suffering (perfect love hated and crucified), is revealed as his wise and loving plan to bring about the greatest good, the salvation of the world from sin and suffering eternally. There, the greatest injustice of all time is integrated into the plan of salvation that Paul calls "the righteousness (justice) of God". Love finds a way. Love is very tricky. But love needs to be trusted. [P. Kreeft]

God’s dilemma,God’s response

Romans 8 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation [cosmos] waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 thatthe creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved…

responding to evil

Our response The Cross is God's part of the practical solution to evil. Our part is to repent, to believe, and to work with God in fighting evil by the power of love. [II Cor 5] The King has invaded; we are finishing the mop-up operation. [P. Kreeft] We are still moral agents and bear responsibility for our choice “Who do you say that I am?” [Matt 16:15]

Transcending this present darkness

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works [is working] for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose. – or …in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good

divine perspective God knew it would end well… Evil’s reign is an illusory and temporary kingdom Suffering will end… A Christian worldview sees pain and evil as they are…real, but temporary and defeated I Cor 15:55-57 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” [a]a The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

How shall we then live? Examine self Perseverance – – wait on the lord for meaning Gratitude – instead of why ask what can I learn, what am I to do Love – weep with those who weep – Work for justice and compassion

How shall we then live?