How is it possible that a good God can allow such injustice and suffering?

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Jayson Pearson
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2 How is it possible that a good God can allow such injustice and suffering?

3 20 th Century Highlights WW1-15,000,000 deaths Russian Civil War - 9,000,000 deaths Stalin s Regime million deaths WW2-66,000,000 including almost 6 million Jews who died in the holocaust

4 Virtue in distress, and vice in triumph make atheists of mankind. John Dryden

5 How is it possible that a good

6 Now someone came up to him and said, Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life? He said to him, Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. Matt 19:16-17a NAS

7 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2 Tim 3:16

1948 Debate Copleston Vs. Russell C: What's your justification for distinguishing between good and bad or how do you view the distinction between them?

8 1948 Debate Copleston Vs. Russell C: What's your justification for distinguishing between good and bad or how do you view the distinction between them? R: I don't have any justification any more than I have when I distinguish between blue and yellow. What is my justification for distinguishing between blue and yellow? I can see they are different.

9 1948 Debate Copleston Vs. Russell C: Well, that is an excellent justification, I agree. You distinguish blue and yellow by seeing them, so you distinguish good and bad by what faculty? R: By my feelings.

10 Barna 2002 Study of Teenagers % said that the right thing is whatever feels right or whatever produces the best outcome for you personally. % said principles from the Bible determine right and wrong.

11 Barna 2002 Study of Teenagers 54% said that the right thing is whatever feels right or whatever produces the best outcome for you personally. Only 7% said principles from the Bible determine right and wrong.

13 Martin Luther King Jr Letter from Birmingham Jail One may well ask: "How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?" The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws.

14 Martin Luther King Jr Letter from Birmingham Jail Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that "an unjust law is no law at all. Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust?

15 Martin Luther King Jr Letter from Birmingham Jail A just law is a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law.

16 We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29b

17 How is it possible that a good God can allow injustice and suffering?

18 Unsastisfying Answers to Pain & Suffering: Atheist - Accident with no rhyme or reason Muslim (Fatalism) Unknowable God will do whatever He pleases and we are simply victims. Hinduism (Karma) What goes around comes around, even in past lives.

19 The Christian Answer

20 Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

21 #1 God has a Moral Reason Why He Allows Suffering

22 God is Both Good and Loving Ps 136:1 - Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

23 God is All Powerful Jer 32:27 - Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

24 Suffering & Injustice Is Common Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 1 Pet 4:12-16

25 Suffering & Injustice is Common If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 1 Pet 4:12-16

26 Song We All Sing In the Future Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen! - Rev 7:12

27 #2 - If you are a Christian, Suffering Has Meaning

28 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Heb 5:8

29 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Matt 26:39

30 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Rom 8:28

31 #3 Suffering Should Be Expected in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirtynine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 2 Cor 11:23b-27

I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness,

32 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 2 Cor 11:23b-27

33 What Was the Result? More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ. Phil 3:8

34 #4 For Christians, God Promises Comfort 2 Cor 1:3-5 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

35 Timothy Keller Walking with God Through Pain & Suffering Ravi Zecharias RZIM.org

36 Gracearlington.com/rightnow

37 We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, 'Blessed are they that mourn,' and I accept it. I've got nothing that I hadn't bargained for. Of course it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others, and in reality, not imagination. C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

38 Promise #1 God Will Draw Near to You Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

39 I need Christ, not something that resembles Him. C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

40 Promise #2 God will end your suffering. 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. 1 Pet 5:10

41 Promise #3 God Will Give You Hope. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Rom 8:18

Think About These Things. Philippians 4:8-9 Part One

Think About These Things. Philippians 4:8-9 Part One Think About These Things Philippians 4:8-9 Part One Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Paul commanded the Philippians to have joy. A lot of people view joy as simply