Problem of Evil (Lesson 6)

Problem of Evil, Lesson 5 In this final lesson on the problem of evil, we contemplate what the Bible teaches us that God ultimately does with evil. We consider three examples from Scripture of individuals who faced terrible suffering and evil, yet the dividends of blessing and glory that were produced by that evil were such that each one considered their suffering to be overwhelmingly worth it. Would Joseph have chosen suffering? Why did Paul not complain to God? Why did Jesus set his face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem? How great is God? (50 min)

Problem of Evil (Lesson 5)

Problem of Evil, Lesson 5 In this lesson we shift from addressing the logical problem of evil to the experiential or emotional problem of evil. What do we mean by the "experiential" problem of evil? Why does the experiential problem of evil call for a different apologetic than the logical problem? How does the account of Jesus and the death of His friend Lazarus teach us to address the experiential problem of evil? What two things do we see Jesus doing for Lazarus' sisters to minister to them in their great suffering? Why do we need to be very careful in the things we say to someone who is experiencing great evil or suffering? What are some of the things that we can safely say to someone who is suffering? (48 min)

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Problem of Evil (Lesson 4)

Problem of Evil, Lesson 4 In this lesson we wrap up our discussion of how some seek to answer the problem of evil without the reliance on free will characterized by the Free Will Defense. In particular, we examine the Human's Defense. How is it similar to and different from the Free Will Defense? Does it satisfactorily resolve the logical problem of evil? We then go on to discuss the problem of natural evil, such as earthquakes, animal kingdom violence, death, tsunamis, etc. How does natural evil raises issues different than moral evil? How does one's view of the age of the earth present different issues regarding the problem of evil? What has been the historic understanding of the church on the cause of natural evil? How does an old earth view held by many Christians raise challenges for the church's historic view of natural evil? How does the Free Will Defense answer the problem of evil within the young earth view? (53 min)

After listening to a lesson, you can use the quiz questions to help you review and recall the critical points of the lesson. Download the quiz for this lesson here.

Problem of Evil (Lesson 3)

Problem of Evil, Lesson 3 In this lesson we address the second aspect of the logical problem of evil, the inductive or probabilistic problem. How does the probabilistic problem differ from the deductive problem? What are three ways to answer the probabilistic problem of evil? What is logically wrong with the belief that an omnipotent and all good God would have created the "best of all possible worlds." What is necessary in order to establish accurately the probability of something occurring? What does the inductive problem of evil fail to take into account? Is it possible that God might have some morally good reasons or purposes for allowing evil to exist? What might those purposes be? What are two views of free will held by Christians, and how do these different views affect how those Christians address the logical problem of evil? (57 min)

After listening to a lesson, you can use the quiz questions to help you review and recall the critical points of the lesson. Download the quiz for this lesson here.

Problem of Evil (Leeson 2)

Problem of Evil, Lesson 2 In this lesson we begin to explore answers to what is called the logical problem of evil. What are the two categories within the logical problem? What does the deductive problem argue? How has the deductive problem historically been addressed? How did Alvin Plantinga's seminal work help to address the deductive problem in a new way? What does the omnipotence of God not entail? Why is the fact that God cannot do logically contradictory things critical? Why could God not create a world in which morally free beings would always do good? (57 min)

After listening to a lesson, you can use the quiz questions to help you review and recall the critical points of the lesson. Download the quiz for this lesson here.

Problem of Evil (Lesson1)

Problem of Evil, Lesson 1
In this first lesson Rick introduces what we mean when we talk about the "problem of evil." How do various world views understand evil? How does the Christian view of evil differ? Why is it important to know what evil is not? Why is it not accurate to speak of evil being "created?” What is a state of affairs? How do states of affairs come into being? What are some different kinds of causes, and why is that important to understand in the discussion of the origin of evil? These and other questions are addressed in this first lesson. (56 min)

After listening to a lesson, you can use the quiz questions to help you review and recall the critical points of the lesson. Download the quiz for this lesson here.