A forum poster said:
The Greek philosopher Epicurus (9660 H.E. to 9731 H.E.) once posed a series of questions concerning the nature of gods. They went something like this:
Q1: If your god is ABLE to prevent evil, and WILLING to prevent evil, then why does evil still exist?
Q2: If your god is ABLE to prevent evil, and NOT WILLING to prevent evil, then does that mean that your god wants evil to exist?
Q3: If your god is NOT ABLE to prevent evil, and WILLING to prevent evil, then does that mean that your god is not all-powerful?
Q4: If your god is NOT ABLE to prevent evil, and NOT WILLING to prevent evil, then why does that mean that your god is not worthy of worship?
I'd like to see the god-believers of this website answer those questions for themselves.
Thank you.
Here are my answers:
Q1: If your god is ABLE to prevent evil, and WILLING to prevent evil, then why does evil still exist?
Have you read the 10 commandments? God's standards for morality are much higher than ours. He considers sexual immorality, lying, stealing, hatred, blaspheming God's name, idolatry, etc... to be evil. By God's standards we are all evil. You have to know the characteristics of God to understand why we are all evil in His eyes. So then none of us enter heaven right? Those who repent and trust in Christ will be counted as righteous on Judgement Day. That's what the cross is all about. Jesus died and took the wrath of God so that we would be saved from our sin or evil ways. Consider this verse:
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
Yes, we will all be judged! Rapists, murderers, liars, adulterers, and thieves, will all be judged. God is just and will punish sin. But He is also merciful. He gives us a chance to turn to Christ and be counted as righteous through faith.
To add, the reason evil exists is because of our rebellion against His commandments. I'm sure you've heard the story of Adam and Eve. If you haven't, go on Google and type Genesis. Mankind became worse and worse until He flooded all except Noah and His family...and the 2 of each kind of animal. But we kept getting worse, people started committing abominable sexual sins. But people committed these sins because they turned away from God. Because if you turn to God you will not want to do these things. I know this sounds harsh, but the evil in this world is well deserved. And we have all contributed.
Why is it that when God punishes evil, He is considered to be a merciless and evil God? But when He doesn't, He's still evil but powerless. There are many stories where God punished the evil, but people don't like to hear those stories. Suddenly those evil people are considered to be innocent. The whole Bible addresses the problem of evil in this world. I'm not ranting, I'm just trying to show that these questions are not as relevant as they seem.
God has offered us the greatest gift, which is eternal life. But it's still not good enough. We are like the Jews who walked through the desert for 40 years. We are testing God saying, "why aren't you doing anything? If you were really good, just, and all-powerful, you would rid of this evil! This must mean that you are a liar. Or maybe you don't even exist. Eternal life is not good enough. Prove yourself, God!"
Q2: If your god is ABLE to prevent evil, and NOT WILLING to prevent evil, then does that mean that your god wants evil to exist?
God hates evil and one day evil will be destroyed. My first answer explains this.
Q3: If your god is NOT ABLE to prevent evil, and WILLING to prevent evil, then does that mean that your god is not all-powerful?
God is able.
Q4: If your god is NOT ABLE to prevent evil, and NOT WILLING to prevent evil, then why does that mean that your god is not worthy of worship?
Is the creation greater than the Creator? God is worthy.
These kind of questions are all answered in the Bible.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved. 19 For it is written:
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and I will set aside the understanding of the experts.
20 Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
1 Cor 1:18-25 (HCSB)
Christians have always been considered foolish by the Jews and Greeks (everyone) but you know what, so was Christ. Before they hung Him on the cross, they put a crown of thorns on His head and a robe. Above his cross, they mockingly wrote: "King of the Jews." This was meant to be ironic and an insult. What an embarrassing death he willing suffered for us. But indeed, He is our King.
I love these kind of questions because they give me a chance to share the gospel. God will always get the glory. And His Word is unshakeable.
Pray for those lost in these teachings.
I would appreciate any comments on how to better use apologetics alongside witnessing. If you'd like to learn more about these kind of questions, check out Ray Comfort's book, The Defenders Guide to Life's Toughest Questions. You can also check out The Way of the Master on Youtube for some great witnessing tips. They also have a good team of open-air preachers. It's awesome to watch people so bold. I imagine they have a spirit likened to the Apostle Paul's.
Verse of the Day~~
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."
I Peter 3:15-17
I know that salvation is from the Lord, but I think it's important for us to be able to give a defense and defend the faith. What I mean is man cannot convince a person to be saved, but it's our job to open our mouths. Many Christians think it's better to stay silent on these issues. What do you guys think?
Demon Hunter: Undying (lyrics) - YouTube
