As promised, we turn now to examine a few problems with “the problem of evil” (moral evil, for our purposes), the claim that says if God has infinite power and can easily eliminate evil, and if He is perfectly good He would always want to eliminate evil. But since evil exists, God must be less […]
The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 8): Pain and Evil
Atheists sometimes describe terrible diseases by which children suffer and die and declare that they would never believe in a God that would allow such things. Most of us have struggled with pain and evil and the profound issues they raise, while countless books wrestle with the pastoral, theological, and philosophical concerns. This short article, […]
The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 2): Theological Mysteries and Difficulties
The first article in the series showed that God’s existence cannot be legitimately denied by arguing against the possibility of biblical miracles. The God of infinite power that created and sustains all things can easily change how He organizes aspects of His universe to perform a “miracle.” Thus, to know that biblical miracles are impossible […]
Gleanings from The Religious Affections (Part 18): Distinguishing Sign Three: Gracious Affections Are Founded on the Beauty of Holiness
In the previous article we examined Edwards’ second distinguishing sign, “the supreme excellency of divine things as they are in themselves,” comprising the “first objective ground of all holy affections.” Sign three goes a step further to show that holiness comprises the beauty of God and divine things. [1] “A love to divine things for […]
Sovereignty, Holiness, and the Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
Pharaoh was stubborn, and sometimes at the most inopportune times. Scripture tells us he hardened his heart in the face of God’s awesome power and judgment (Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34). Bruised and battered, he refused to allow Israel to worship God in the wilderness. Occasionally, God also hardened Pharaoh’s heart: Then the LORD said […]
Presuppositions of Faith (5 of 6): The Problem of Evil
In previous articles, we have seen that denials of God’s existence and biblical miracles rest on unreasonable, blind-faith assumptions or presuppositions. But, what about claims of contradictions in Scripture, the foundation of our faith? Do they rest on the same unjustified assumptions? Let’s see as we listen to Mr. A and Mr. C discuss “the […]
Is Evil Required to Know Good?
Is the existence and knowledge of moral evil necessary for the knowledge of good? And if so, would that not easily explain how evil exists in a universe created by a holy God of infinite power who both hates evil and could have prevented it? Let’s see… Good Food in the Garden Going back to […]
Does Free Will Require the Option to Choose Evil?
The option to choose evil as necessary for God to create beings with a free will is sometimes said to explain why evil exists in a world created by a holy God of infinite power. At first glance, it looks like a reasonable explanation for the existence of evil. But, is moral evil as necessary […]
Is Evil the Equal Opposite of Good?
First of a four-part series on the relationship of good and evil. God Is the Only Standard of Good No standard of goodness exists apart from God, and no standard of evil can exist without reference to God’s goodness. God cannot be subject to a standard of good outside Himself, and He alone embodies and […]
