1. Is God Unfair? Is God Unfair?

2. Haec credam a deo pio? A deo iusto, a deo scito? Cruciatus in crucem. Tuus in terra servus, nuntius fui. Officium perfeci. Cruciatus in crucem. Eas in crucem!

3. Is God Unfair? Is God Unfair?

4. 1. Deny God exists Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

5. 2. Turn against God Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

6. Job 2:9 (NLT) His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

7. 3. Claim that God can’t do anything Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

8. “Even God has a hard time keeping chaos in check… [God is] a God of justice and not of power.” ~ Rabbi Harold Kushner “Even God has a hard time keeping chaos in check… [God is] a God of justice and not of power.” ~ Rabbi Harold Kushner

9. “If that’s who God is, why doesn’t he resign and let someone more competent take his place?” ~ Elie Wiesel “If that’s who God is, why doesn’t he resign and let someone more competent take his place?” ~ Elie Wiesel

10. 4. Unfairness is a temporary condition… things will balance out Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

11. 5. Insist that life is fair Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

12. Job 11:13-16 (NLT) “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten in

13. Job 11:13-16 (NLT) innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery. It will all be gone like water under the bridge.”

14. 6. Search for hidden meaning Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

15. 7. Accept that life is unfair Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

16. “To tell you the truth, Philip, I didn’t feel any disappointment with God… We tend to think, ‘Life should be fair because God is fair.’ And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life – by expecting constant good health, for example – then I set myself up for a crashing disappointment.” ~ “Douglas” in Disappointment With God “To tell you the truth, Philip, I didn’t feel any disappointment with God… We tend to think, ‘Life should be fair because God is fair.’ And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life – by expecting constant good health, for example – then I set myself up for a crashing disappointment.” ~ “Douglas” in Disappointment With God

17. Life is unfair; God isn’t.

18. Job 13:15 (KJV) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…

19. Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT) “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from

20. Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT) your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

21. Acts 7:59-60 (NLT) And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don't charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

22. The Cross is the ultimate answer to the question of unfairness.

23. Jesus offers no way out of the unfairness, but rather a way through it to the other side. ~ Philip Yancey Jesus offers no way out of the unfairness, but rather a way through it to the other side. ~ Philip Yancey