Understanding Theodicy: God's Justice Amidst Evil

 

Summary

In today's discussion, we delved into the profound question of how a loving and all-powerful God can allow evil to exist. This question, often referred to as theodicy, challenges us to consider the righteousness and justice of God. The term theodicy itself is derived from two Greek words: Theos (God) and Dike (justice), and it seeks to reconcile the existence of evil with the nature of a just and loving God.

We explored the common arguments posed by philosophers like David Hume, who questioned whether God is unable or unwilling to prevent evil, and if so, what that implies about His nature. However, the real question we should be asking is not why bad things happen to good people, but rather why good things happen to us, who are inherently sinful. This shift in perspective highlights God's grace and mercy, which are undeserved yet generously given.

The Book of Job serves as a biblical example of theodicy, illustrating how a righteous man can suffer and how God's purposes are ultimately beyond our understanding. Similarly, the Apostle Paul in Romans addresses God's sovereignty and justice, emphasizing that God's ways are perfect and that His ultimate goal is His glory.

We must remember that God's holiness and desire for His glory are central to understanding the existence of evil. While we may not fully comprehend God's reasons, we trust that He is working all things according to His perfect will. Our limited understanding should not lead us to question God's goodness but rather to marvel at His grace that restrains evil and allows us to know Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Theodicy and God's Justice: Theodicy challenges us to reconcile the existence of evil with God's justice. Instead of questioning why bad things happen to good people, we should marvel at why good things happen to us, who are inherently sinful. This perspective highlights God's grace and mercy. [57:47]

2. The Book of Job as a Theodicy: Job's story illustrates how a righteous man can suffer, pointing to the mystery of God's purposes. It reminds us that God's ways are beyond our understanding, yet His justice and righteousness remain perfect. [56:14]

3. Paul's Argument in Romans: Paul systematically defends God's sovereignty and justice, emphasizing that God's actions are always just and righteous. His ultimate goal is His glory, and our limited understanding should not lead us to question His goodness. [01:00:16]

4. God's Holiness and Glory: God's holiness and desire for His glory are central to understanding the existence of evil. While we may not fully comprehend His reasons, we trust that He is working all things according to His perfect will. [01:02:21]

5. The Problem of Good: The real question is not why evil exists, but why there isn't more evil. God's restraining mercy prevents greater suffering, allowing us to know Him and experience His grace. This perspective shifts our focus from questioning God's goodness to marveling at His mercy. [01:07:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [47:49] - Introduction to Apologetics Resources
- [48:03] - The Question of Evil and Suffering
- [48:31] - Understanding Theodicy
- [49:27] - God's Righteousness and Justice
- [50:22] - The Reality of Atheism and Anti-Theism
- [51:29] - The Dilemma of Evil
- [52:25] - Personal Suffering and God's Response
- [53:11] - Philosophical Perspectives on Evil
- [54:20] - The Trilemma of God's Nature
- [55:58] - The Book of Job as a Theodicy
- [57:47] - The Real Question: Why Do Good Things Happen?
- [01:00:16] - Paul's Argument in Romans
- [01:02:21] - God's Holiness and Glory
- [01:07:22] - The Problem of Good and God's Mercy

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Job 1:1-22
2. Romans 9:14-18
3. Romans 3:3-5

---

Observation Questions:

1. In the Book of Job, how is Job described at the beginning, and what happens to him despite his righteousness? ([56:14])

2. According to Romans 9:14-18, what does Paul say about God's mercy and justice? How does this relate to the concept of theodicy discussed in the sermon? ([01:00:35])

3. How does the sermon describe the common philosophical arguments against the existence of a good and powerful God in light of evil? ([54:20])

4. What is the "real question" the sermon suggests we should be asking about the existence of good and evil? ([57:47])

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of Job challenge our understanding of suffering and righteousness? What does this imply about God's purposes? ([56:14])

2. In Romans 9, Paul discusses God's sovereignty in showing mercy. How does this passage help us understand the nature of God's justice and mercy? ([01:00:35])

3. The sermon suggests that instead of questioning why bad things happen to good people, we should ask why good things happen to us. How does this perspective change our view of God's grace and mercy? ([57:47])

4. How does the sermon explain the role of God's holiness and desire for His glory in understanding the existence of evil? ([01:02:21])

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you questioned God's goodness due to personal suffering. How might the story of Job and the sermon’s perspective on theodicy help you view that experience differently? ([56:14])

2. The sermon suggests that God's grace is evident in the good things that happen to us despite our sinfulness. Can you identify a recent instance where you experienced undeserved grace? How did it affect your relationship with God? ([57:47])

3. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and justice, especially when faced with situations that seem unfair or unjust? ([01:00:16])

4. The sermon emphasizes God's restraining mercy in preventing greater evil. How can this understanding influence your prayers and gratitude towards God? ([01:07:22])

5. Consider the idea that God's ultimate goal is His glory. How does this perspective influence your understanding of your purpose and actions in daily life? ([01:02:21])

6. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching on theodicy to support someone else who is struggling with the question of why a loving God allows suffering? ([48:31])

7. The sermon challenges us to marvel at God's mercy rather than question His goodness. What practical steps can you take this week to focus on God's mercy in your life? ([01:07:22])

Devotional

Day 1: Theodicy and God's Grace
Theodicy challenges us to reconcile the existence of evil with God's justice. Instead of questioning why bad things happen to good people, we should marvel at why good things happen to us, who are inherently sinful. This perspective highlights God's grace and mercy. By shifting our focus from the presence of evil to the abundance of good, we can better appreciate the undeserved blessings we receive daily. This understanding encourages us to live with gratitude and humility, recognizing that every good thing is a gift from God. [57:47]

"For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent blessing in your life that you may have taken for granted. How can you express gratitude to God for this gift today?


Day 2: The Mystery of Job's Suffering
The Book of Job illustrates how a righteous man can suffer, pointing to the mystery of God's purposes. Job's story reminds us that God's ways are beyond our understanding, yet His justice and righteousness remain perfect. In the face of suffering, we are called to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when we cannot see the full picture. Job's unwavering faith amidst his trials serves as a powerful example of trusting God despite our circumstances. [56:14]

"Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth." (Job 40:4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a time when you faced a difficult situation. How can you practice trusting God's wisdom and sovereignty in your current challenges?


Day 3: Paul's Defense of God's Sovereignty
Paul systematically defends God's sovereignty and justice, emphasizing that God's actions are always just and righteous. His ultimate goal is His glory, and our limited understanding should not lead us to question His goodness. By acknowledging God's sovereignty, we can find peace in knowing that He is in control and that His plans are for our ultimate good and His glory. This perspective encourages us to surrender our doubts and trust in His perfect will. [01:00:16]

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?


Day 4: God's Holiness and the Existence of Evil
God's holiness and desire for His glory are central to understanding the existence of evil. While we may not fully comprehend His reasons, we trust that He is working all things according to His perfect will. This understanding calls us to live in awe of God's holiness and to seek His glory in all that we do. By focusing on His holiness, we can better align our lives with His purposes and reflect His character to the world. [01:02:21]

"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek to glorify God in your daily actions and decisions today?


Day 5: The Problem of Good and God's Mercy
The real question is not why evil exists, but why there isn't more evil. God's restraining mercy prevents greater suffering, allowing us to know Him and experience His grace. This perspective shifts our focus from questioning God's goodness to marveling at His mercy. By recognizing His mercy, we are inspired to extend grace and compassion to others, reflecting His love in our interactions. [01:07:22]

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone in your life who needs to experience God's mercy through you. How can you show them grace and compassion today?

Quotes



When we ask that question we are fundamentally asking a question that has to do with the righteousness and Justice of God and when we speak of the righteousness and Justice of God we are speaking in terms of theodicy. The word theodicy is made up of two Greek words Theos and Decay Theos God and Decay righteous or just. [00:48:37]

The Book of Job is a theodicy itself. It is explaining and defending God in his righteousness and sovereignty through the lens of his servant Job who was righteous. How is it that righteous Job suffered? We ask this question all the time, don't we? How can good people suffer? Why does evil befall good people, righteous people? [00:56:08]

The real question that we need to be asking is this: knowing that we are sinful in our hearts, knowing that at the core and nature of our being we are against God, at enmity with God in our natural states before God, the real question is not how can bad things happen to good people or why do they happen, but more fundamentally, why do good things happen to bad people? [00:57:43]

The Apostle Paul in making his case for God and for God's sovereignty and for God's salvation explains with very systematic, thorough, and careful arguments how God is indeed just, righteous, and altogether perfect and good in all that he does. Just a few passages in Romans chapter 3 we read in verse three what if some were unfaithful? [01:00:17]

When we talk about God's power, we talk about God's sovereignty, we talk about God's goodness, when we talk about God's love, we also need to remember that God is Holy. We also need to remember that God seeks and demands and deserves glory for himself. Now that is one of the most fundamentally misunderstood points when it comes to this whole problem of evil. [01:02:21]

The problem of evil is really ultimately a question of the problem of good. Why does good exist? Why does God give us any good? Why didn't God wipe us off the face of the Earth entirely? Why doesn't God destroy us? And a better question even more fundamentally is not why does evil exist, but why doesn't more evil exist? [01:07:20]

It's precisely because God is good and because of his restraining Mercy, even a universal Mercy as Francis Turton spoke of it, a love of beneficence, a caring restraining Mercy that keeps Humanity from destroying itself so that we could exist today and so that you and I could know him. [01:08:03]

God created you and God saved you not first and foremost for you but first and foremost for himself, for his glory, because he loves you and that is the God of the Bible and there is no other. [01:09:38]

The reality is that God has put eternity in our hearts and he has set the knowledge of himself within each and every one of us who are made in His image. That is to say that everyone in the end ultimately believes that God exists. Atheists, agnostics, and others simply hate him. [00:50:22]

If God is unable to prevent evil, then he's not all-powerful. If God is not willing to prevent evil, then he is not all good. If God is both willing and able to prevent evil, then why does evil exist? So this dilemma, or really a trilemma, is a significant question, and we do well to rightly consider it. [00:54:20]

Paul's point that he makes there in chapter 3 is much the same point that he makes in chapter 9, a difficult chapter in helping us to understand God's sovereignty and indeed God's purposes in all things, particularly in Salvation, that God is faithful, that God is just, and that God is righteous in all that he does. [01:00:16]

Ultimately God does all things according to his own perfect will and good purpose, and all in accordance with his glory, as is Paul's point in Romans. That while we may not understand the mystery of God, that while we may not be able to understand God completely and comprehensively, what we do know about God is sufficient. [01:03:49]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Oct 03, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?