3 Powerful Defenses Facing the Problem of Evil ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

As Christians, we will be questioned about our faith. Sometimes, this is comes from people who really want to know the answer and sometimes, it will be from those who want to angrily attack our faith. One of the areas where we are questioned most is in the “Problem of Evil”. Therein we are asked, “If God is good and God is all powerful, why does evil exist in the world?” Last Friday’s post, I presented Christianity’s defense exhibit one: the free will defense. Today, I want to present 3 powerful defenses: we will call them defense exhibit two, three and four.

DEFENSE EXHIBIT TWO

The second defense is that of “the Greater Good” defense. As I presented at the beginning of this chapter and throughout the previous defense, evil serves a purpose; whether, we fully comprehend it or not. Augustine addressed it in this manner,

For the Almighty God, who, as even the heathen acknowledge, has supreme power over all things, being Himself supremely good, would never permit the existence of anything evil among His works, if He were not so omnipotent and good that He can bring good even out of evil”[1] (Augustine 1961)

A Personal note

That has been precisely the case in my own life. Of a certainty, I would not fully know the joy, hope, and love which I experience now; had it not been for the trials I have faced in this journey. Every step of the way, God has drawn me nearer to Him. There, I have found the sweetness of knowing His grace. Through it all, He has provided me with glimpses of His Glory; while, at the same time transforming my own heart. He has sifted away the chaff, revealed the darkness or evil of my own selfishness and has been steadily at work transforming me into the likeness of Christ. Though He has a lot more work to do; I realize how precious it is that one day I will stand before Him with a heart like that of my Savior.

Yet, no one more profoundly presents this truth than Joni Eareckson Tada. I would encourage you to go to YouTube and listen to any of her tapes. Particularly, I recommend her True Woman ’14 Conference. In it she refers to suffering as God’s lemon juice being squeezed over our hearts; transforming us. Also, she says; “there is no trial too great to face in order to know Jesus.”

Or as Paul wrote:

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:8).

God has a purpose and a plan which is for our good. Evil exists in this world; yet, without it would I really know the ecstasy of knowing Jesus. Only God can take a broken life, filled with wrong choices and still make it one filled with hope, love and joy.

DEFENSE EXHIBIT THREE

The third defense is cumulative, standing upon the previous two. It was presented by Jonathan Edwards and explains how it was necessary for our ultimate joy that God allow evil to exist in the world. I will let it stand upon its own merits; because, of all the defenses, this one was the one that shone into my heart during many years of suffering; providing me with the understanding I needed to rejoice, even in my suffering. Jonathan Edwards wrote this with such clarity, that any attempt to explain it would demonstrate my own ineptness to express it as well.

Here is what Jonathan Edwards wrote:

It is a proper and excellent thing for infinite glory to shine forth; and for the same reason, it is proper that the shining forth of God’s glory be complete; that is, that all parts of his glory should shine forth, that every beauty should be proportionably effulgent (=radiant), that the beholder may have a proper notion of God. It is not proper that one glory should be exceedingly manifested, and another not at all….

Thus, it is necessary, that God’s awful majesty, his authority and dreadful greatness, justice, and holiness, should be manifested. But this could not be, unless sin and punishment had been decreed; so that the shining forth of God’s glory would be very imperfect, both because these parts of divine glory would not shine forth as the others do, and also the glory of his goodness, love, and holiness would be faith without them; nay, they could scarcely shine forth at all.

If it were not right that God should decree and permit and punish sin, there could be no manifestation of God’s holiness in hatred of sin, or in showing any preference, in his providence, of godliness before it. There would be no manifestation of God’s grace or true goodness, if there was no sin to be pardoned, no misery to be saved from. How much happiness so ever he bestowed, his goodness would not be so much prized and admired, and the sense of it not so great….

So, evil is necessary,

in order to the highest happiness of the creature and the completeness of that communication of God, for which he made the world; because the creature’s happiness consists in the knowledge of God, and the sense of his love. And if the knowledge of him be imperfect, the happiness of the creature must be proportionably imperfect.[2] (Edwards 1974)

My Thoughts:

Reread this argument, pray fully; then, think about when you are confronted with the problem of evil. I have found this argument as comforting to my soul. It is brought even into clearer focus when I consider what Paul wrote.

What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory (Romans 9:22-23).

DEFENSE EXHIBIT FOUR

Essentially, the fourth defense is who determines what is evil and what is good, if there is no Superior Being, outside of man to determine what is good or evil? Can there be such a thing as good or evil if there is no God? Who determines that? Often, the secularist will say that it is determined by society. But, then which society? The militant Isis society would tell you that they are right. Hitler believed that he was right and the majority of the German people in that moment believed that to be true. If God does not exist; then, is everything permitted? If there is no foundation for that which is good; who determines what is good? Certainly, we see that in our modern world.

The far leftist movement shout loudly that they are “right” and everyone else is wrong; pronouncing judgment on everyone else. Much like Hollywood who seem suddenly outraged by the #METOO movement screaming against sexual predators while promoting the movie “Fifty Shades Freed”, the third in a series of blatant sexual and emotional abuse of a young woman by a wealthy man. So, which is it?

Christians were lumped into a basket of deplorables; because, they cared about such things as life, denouncing abortion, constitutionalist supreme court judges, patriotism, laws, justice and middle America.

So, without God;

where is the foundation for good and if there is none; then, who says what is evil or good? If the twentieth century taught us anything; then, we must recognize the atrocities of the atheistic regimes of Stalin, Hitler, and North Korea. Also, we must recognize the rise in drug abuse, suicide, and violent crime within our own nation. Neither the shooter in Las Vegas, nor the man who shot at the Republican Congressmen professed to be Christians.

Conclusion:

As I have presented, we are to be ready with powerful defenses when we are attacked. That does require knowledge and an intense desire to study God’s word, prayer fully allowing Him to reveal Himself to us. Silence is not an option.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Two Newest Books Available

ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY

A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.

WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”

Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.

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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.