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Problem solved, God is good!

Forum: Theological Expressions
Re:

What happens when we die? (Confused)
Re:

Ah, science to the rescue again (Interested )
Re:

Hi Interested, what did St Peter said about time? (eom) (Seeker)
Re:

Hi Seeker (Interested )
Re:

Things Creationists Hate
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Answers to Things Creationists Hate (edmund)
Re:

Theodicy (Seeker)
Date: 2001, May 30
From: Benjamin

Hi Seeker, It’s me again. Seeker: Actually, this is a restatement of the problem of evil. We discussed it some time back, but up to today, I must admit that it's still a question mark. Benjamin: Ravi Zecharias, noted Christian philosopher, has said when he was here recently that this question of evil encroaches itself upon us because we are part of the problem. We are not getting the answers because though we have asked the right question, we have sought the wrong avenues for the answer. The solution to evil will not come from man, but from God. Seeker: It may not disprove god per se, but it certainly points to a logical flaw in the theology of the christian god, as in: God is all-powerful and all-loving/merciful. But there is evil and suffering in this world. So God is either not able to remove evil and suffering, which means he is not all-powerful; Or God is able, but unwilling to remove evil and suffering, which means he is not all-loving/merciful; Or both. Benjamin: Actually we need to look a little closer. Is God and evil mutually exclusive? Yes, if you are talking about the person of God, for holiness and evil do not reside in the very being of God. But can evil exists side by side with God in the supernatural realms? The answer is then yes. This is theologically consistent and there is no logical flaw. Moving on to the next point, is God all powerful and all loving? The answer is yes, for that is His very being. But the existence of evil is not in God's being, but in His creation. Sin was first found in Satan and entered the world through Adam. Death entered the world through sin. And all the suffering we experience on earth points to an eventual physical death. The next question is “Is God able to remove evil and suffering?” The answer is a resounding “Yes”! But it will be according to His higher ways. Our human instant solution is too simplistic for we don’t know what we are asking for. Our human solutions do not do justice to God’s character. But God’s solution both satisfy His holiness and justice. God enters into human history as one of us, and paid the price of sin on the cross. Like I have said, human beings don’t have the solution. But He who is both God and man is the solution. So physical death (consequence of sin) becomes the avenue by which eternal life comes. It takes the death of an infinite God-man to pay for the sins of the whole world. But then Jesus comes back to life again three days later. And He who has power over death has ultimate power. So to answer the question, God HAS ALREADY DEALT with the problem of evil on Calvary 2000 years back. But that’s not all, He WILL REMOVE the person, not just the problem, of evil when the end comes. Seeker: You said we are sinners, implying (I think) that we sort of deserve it, the evil and suffering that is. Again, this points to an unmerciful/unloving god. Benjamin: It’s not that we deserve it, but that we inherited it from Adam. Again this says nothing about God’s character. A loving God gave man the freedom to love Him back in a reciprocal relationship. Man abused that freedom to disobey God, bringing upon Himself the consequences of disobedience. That’s retribution, what a man sows he reaps. Seeker: Sure, he may have setup a beautiful place called heaven for the afterlife, but I guess when people are suffering, they are more interested in the here and now. And this is where god seems to have deserted them, either deliberately by his will or by his lack of power to do anything about it. Benjamin: Actually people are also interested in the afterlife, it’s just that they don’t talk much about it because they think by default that they will enter hell. Just take a look at most Chinese nonChristian funeral wakes. Which of them really is pointing to a blissful afterlife in heaven? On the contrary the burning of hell money and other hell paper-works speaks loudly about where they think the dead will be going. God has never deserted man, it is man who refuse to come to Him for eternal life. And for those who do, the cross becomes the power of salvation for those who believe. That very power can be experienced by you today too. Best Regards. Benjamin