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 15): “The Problem of Evil” (Part B)
In the first of the articles appealing to moral evil as proof of God’s impossibility, the author claims belief in God lacks “rational support,” that people must reject reason and ignore the conclusive arguments against Him in order to believe. The “problem of evil,” according to the author, is one such argument. A logical problem, […]
The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 14): “The Problem of Evil” (Part A)
In the previous two articles we examined examples of “definitional disproofs” of God, including: 1) perfection and a man-made definition of imperfect virtue cannot co-exist in God, and 2) a perfect God who deserves complete submission and worship is incompatible with autonomous human moral agency. Of course, no orthodox theologian would disagree with the first […]
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, […]
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 […]
The Blind Faith of Atheism (Part 3 of 4) – Logical Problems?
How should believers respond to claims that certain doctrines taught in Scripture are illogical, such as the Trinity? Or, given the existence of evil, logic proves a good and all-powerful God cannot exist because an infinitely powerful God could and would prevent evil (the “problem of evil”)? Atheists and Christians agree that logic guides right […]
Does God Require Evil to Display His Glory?
We come to our fourth and last post on the relationship of good and evil. Scripture clearly teaches that God displayed His glory in the person and saving work of Christ. In fact, nowhere is God’s glory more clearly seen than in Christ. Does it follow, then, that evil is necessary for God to display […]
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 […]
