In this week’s class we are continuing our examination of the problem of evil from a Christian worldview. We will be looking at three main factors for the existence of evil, and nine main reasons people tend to struggle with understanding the concept of the existence of evil. Every worldview has to deal with this problem, but it is only the Christian worldview that can give reason along with answers and a final solution to its existence. The Christian worldview is the only one that can give us the best, and most reasonable, solution to the problem of evil, and it is yet one more piece of the big picture that we can share with skeptics and our atheist friends.

All class sessions include a time for prayer and reflection, an “apologetics” presentation, and a Bible study section. You will find the presentation notes, Bible study survey format and homework below. Example answers to the Bible study survey will also be posted for your review, and to use as a future leader’s guide.

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

Presentation Notes

A Case for Christianity

Session Three: The Problem of Evil

REVIEW AND DISCUSS

Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card provided, and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class this evening.

At your table groups, do the following:

1.  What are the categories for the 39 books of the Old Testament, and the books within each?

2.  What is the Apologetics Roadmap (the 10 most asked questions – can be found in session three notes)?

3.  Recite the Memory Verse(s):

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

Apologetics Presentation

THE APOLOGETICS ROADMAP
The Christian Worldview has the best evidential answers, beyond a reasonable doubt, to life’s most important questions…

1. Why are you a Christian (and not of some other belief)?
2. What is a Christian Worldview (and does it affect your daily life)?
3. What is the importance of Truth in a worldview (versus relativism)?
4. Does God exist, and where did I come from? (The origin question)
5. If God exists, then why is there Evil and Suffering in the world? (The problem of evil)
6. Who am I, and what is my purpose in life? (The question of identity)
7. Are miracles possible (versus naturalistic explanations)?
8. How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? (Reliability and Transmission over time)
9. Who is Jesus (who do I say Jesus is)?
10. What is my destiny (what happens after we die)?

Addressing major factors for the problem of evil:

Factor #1: The value of freewill that resulted in our physical and spiritual parents initially having a face to face, intimate relationship with God, and then rejecting Him and following the deception of Satan they broke the only rule God had given them, and this put in motion God’s promise and rescue plan, through a promised redeemer/savior, His Son Jesus. Because we were all “born this way” into a sinful nature, however that plays out individually, we all must be born again – no one is “good enough” to rescue and redeem themselves, we all fall short, but we all have that freewill choice to make, to follow Jesus and give Him our lives, or not – He will not force us to live with Him in His house for eternity!

We cannot blame God for our choices:

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

-James 1:13-15

Factor #2: The effects of the “Fall”

Genesis 1 and 2 God made everything good – the way the world is supposed to be.

Genesis 3 made everything bad – the way the world is not supposed to be.

The Fall not only infected humankind with sin, it also contaminated the earth itself:

“Adam and Eve rebelled against God and so God then cursed the ground, enabling every possible pestilence. Then He kicked them out of the Garden of Eden, which removed them from the rejuvenating power of the Tree of Life. When Adam and Eve were on their own, life became very hard, and we’ve been attending funerals ever since.”

– Dr. Clay Jones, Biola University

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”

Romans 5:12, 17

How did Satan deceive Adam and Eve at the Fall, and how does he still deceive us today?

The first attack of Satan is always on God’s Word:

Step 1: Satan twists God’s Word and causes doubt

“He said to the woman, Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” (Gen. 3:1)

Step 2: Satan contradicts God and substitutes what He said with something else

“‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman.” (Gen. 3:4)

Step 3: Satan challenges God’s motives

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Gen. 3:5)

The Effect of the Fall

The fall caused these immediate reactions:

• The opening of the eyes (Genesis 3:7): They became body conscious, before they were only spiritually conscious and were surrounded by God’s Glory.
• The cover up/guilt (Genesis 3:7): Adam and Eve tried to hide their sin by covering up with fig leaves. This was human’s first attempt at religion (work at covering guilt), but that could not cover the sin that God said would result in death (both physical and spiritual).
• Hiding from God (Genesis 3:8): Adam and Eve knew they had sinned against God and tried to hide (or run away) from God’s presence.

Factor #3: Satan and his demons, as created beings with freewill, cause significant damage to humans, and to this world

Who is Satan?

Satan is…

• A created being, chose to go against God along with one-third of the created angels (Revelation 12:4, 9)
• The “Serpent” in Genesis (term means “shining one”)
• Arrogant and full of pride; wants to sit on a throne above that of God (Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28 – Note: the kings of Babylon and Tyre are representative of Satan)
• An Angel who was thrown from Heaven to the Earth (Job 1; Isaiah 14:12-13)
• The ruler of this world; prince of the power of the air (John 12:31, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2)
• An accuser (Revelation 12:10)
• A tempter (Matthew 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:5)
• A deceiver (Genesis 3, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Revelation 20:3)

His very name (Satan) means “adversary” or “one who opposes,” and devil means “slanderer”

Screwtape, the senior demon, to his disciple Wormwood:

“You must have wondered why the Enemy (God) does not make more use of His power to be sensibly present to human souls in any degree He chooses and at any moment. But you now see that the Irresistible and the Indisputable are the two weapons which the very nature of His scheme forbids Him to use. Merely to over-ride a human will (as His felt presence in any but the faintest and most mitigated degree would certainly do) would be for Him useless. He cannot ravish, he can only woo.” 

–From C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape letters

Satan will attempt to bring out in us, the three greatest evil characteristics he possesses:

• Lust of the flesh
• Lust of the eyes
• Pride of life

First time we find these three things affecting human choice is in Genesis 3:6-7

Lust of the flesh:

The fruit was tempting to the appetite

Lust of the eyes:

The fruit looked good and was attractive

Pride of Life:

Satan presented it as something they were owed, that they deserved, and God was holding it back

Jesus overcomes these same three temptations (See Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13)

Lust of the flesh:

Jesus was hungry after 40 days of fasting—Satan tempted him to turn the stones into bread

Lust of the eyes:

Satan took him to a high place and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world saying, “bow down and worship me and I will give you all this.”

Pride of Life:

Satan took Jesus up to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem and told him to throw himself down if he was the Son of God, testing God to save Him.

Jesus didn’t give in, instead Jesus used only God’s Word and Satan fled from Him!

***Read and pray Ephesians 6:10-18 “Putting on The Armor of God”***

The Apostle John warns the early Church of these same three things…

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and it desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”      

1 John 2:15-17

“The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility…According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea bites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.”

– C. S. Lewis

Why is the problem of evil the number one question both Christians and non-Christians have?

Nine reasons people tend to struggle with understanding the concept of the existence of evil:

1. Many people are spiritually unreflective—they do not spend time meditating on Scripture.
2. Most people fail to understand the depth of human depravity—even Christians fall into the, “I’m a good person” mentality, but this is the opposite of Biblical teaching.

“Most of our troubles are due to the fact that we are guilty of a double failure; we fail on the one hand to realize the depth of sin, and on the other hand we fail to realize the greatness and height and the glory of our salvation.”

-Pastor D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, M.D.

3. Some people are simply arrogant—they hold their own opinions higher than Scripture.

“The greatest evil is not done in those sordid dens of evil that Dickens loved to paint … but is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clear, carpeted, warmed, well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices.”

– C. S. Lewis

4. Many people are ignorant of Christian doctrine—they don’t understand that the problem of evil encompasses most of Christianity’s history and teachings.
5. Many people misunderstand Job (the Biblical book and character)—there are many clues and answers in that book to the problem of evil.
6. Some people really don’t want the problem of evil answered—they hold a grudge against God, and this is especially true in the atheist’s worldview.
7. Some people hold to “determinism”—that God has determined every creature’s every thought and deed so that they could never do otherwise, but that would nullify God’s gift of freewill.
8. Most people fail to understand the nature and value of freewill—without freewill real love, relationship, and intimacy is not possible.
9. Most people fail to understand the glory that awaits Christians forever in Heaven—we tend to live life shortsighted, but for those with a healthy excitement about the afterlife, the problem of evil is not so much of a problem.

“This life becomes a distant vapor in comparison to eternity—life is not a short timeline that has an end, but it is a ray that goes on into eternity, not stopping at death’s door.”

– J. Warner Wallace 

We must have a proper perspective of eternity!

What does it mean to have a proper perspective of eternity?

The Apostle Paul tells us…

“But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 

2 Corinthians 2:13-18 (NASB)

Paul also tells us:

“At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

Titus 3:3-7

Jesus’ response to the question of evil

“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” 

Luke 13:1-5

… We’ll conclude this presentation next week by looking at “A Case for Faith” versus doubt.

“A Bible that’s falling apart, usually belongs to someone who isn’t!” 

BIBLE STUDY

Bible Study Survey Format

Old Testament

Category:         Torah               

Book:               Deuteronomy         

1. Author: Who wrote the book and when? (Include anything you can find about the author and when it was written)

2. Audience: Who was it written to? (Include anything you can find about the people, the culture or societal norms, of that time period)

3. Purpose: Why was it written? (Include anything you can find about their circumstances and what was, or had been, going on)

4. Content: What is in each chapter? Basic:  Write out chapter by chapter titles. Going Deeper: Add a short summary under your titles, 3-5 sentences Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes: a.  Is there anything in this chapter that relates to one of the Covenants (Adamic, Abrahamic or Mosaic)? b.  Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in this chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus? c.  The Shelf: Note any questions or a’has you have about the chapter.

LET’S PRACTICE!

Review and Discuss your homework from this past week:

Discuss your study in the book of Deuteronomy by using the Bible study survey format above for author – audience – purpose, then discuss chapters 1-5, based on what level you worked from: This would begin #4 – Content from the Bible survey format…

• Basic: Write a title for each chapter (could include more than one depending on topics in that chapter).
• Going Deeper: Take notes to summarize the chapter (no more than three to five sentences). However, you can add to your summaries if you glean something important from your study partners.
• Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes:

a. Is there anything in the chapter that relates to one of the Covenants (Adamic, Abrahamic or Mosaic)?

b. Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in the chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus?

c. The Shelf: Note any questions or a’has you have about the chapter.

The following are example answers you can use to add to your own work, or use as a leader’s guide:

1. Author: Who wrote the book and when? (Include anything you can find about the author and when it was written)

• Moses is the author of this book which is part of the first five books of the Bible known as the Torah (Hebrew), Pentateuch (Greek), also known as “the Books of Moses”
• Moses’ story is told in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
• The Bible tells us that God gave Moses all that is in the Torah at Mt. Sinai, and he wrote during the forty-year period of wandering in the desert after the exodus from Egypt, 1446-1406 BC
• We can also add Joshua as author of the final summary in the book that includes the death of Moses.

Biblical reference examples for Moses’ authorship: Exodus 17:14, 24:2-4, 34:27; Numbers 33:1-2, Deuteronomy 31:9, Joshua 1:8, 2 Kings 21:8; and most importantly Jesus spoke of Moses’ authorship many times as exampled in John 5:46-47

2. Audience: Who was it written to? (Include anything you can find about the people, the culture or societal norms, of that time period)

• The Nation of Israelis the intended audience and it was given to them at the end of their forty-year wilderness wanderings after the exodus from Egypt, and just prior to entering the Promised Land.
• It was written specifically to the new generation that had survived the 40 years in the wilderness as they prepared to enter the Promised Land (the previous generation had died off in the wilderness as God had said they would [except Caleb and Joshua]).
• Additionally, God gave it to them through Moses and commanded them to teach it to the people of God for generations to come.

3. Purpose: Why was it written? (Include anything you can find about their circumstances and what was, or had been, going on)

• This book is written in the form of a treaty between a king and his vassal state (typical of this time period), and it calls Israel to remember who God is and what He had done.
• It was also written to prepare them for what was ahead by reminding them of their history, reviewing the Law and restating God’s Covenant Promise to them – the name Deuteronomy means “second law.”
• Deuteronomy was written as an encouragement for this new generation, and for generations to comes (even though they would be disobedient again in just a generation after this one).
• In this book God also reminds His people that in order to ratify His agreement, they must choose the path of obedience that would bring benefits like God’s protection; whereas disobedience would result in severe calamity.
• There is a picture of grace seen in this book in that God freely gave the people a relationship with Him and the gift of the Promised Land apart from anything they had done.

4. Content: What is in each chapter? (Include chapter by chapter titles and a short summary – no more than 3-5 sentences – Keep in mind #5 and #6 and mark a chapter accordingly)

Chapter 1: A Review of What God Had Done – Moses’ First Address – Israel’s History

This chapter begins with Moses’ address to the people “in the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month” since they had left Egypt. Moses recounts their journey and military conquests over this period of time. Moses also reminded them of their parents’ rebellion and refusal to go into the Promised Land, along with their grumblings that caused the 40 years of wandering.

C = There is a focus that begins here on the “Land” which is a main part of the Abrahamic Covenant, that God promised, would go to the “Nation of Israel.” A great “Nation” was now in fulfillment of that promise as verse 10 tells us: “The LORD your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are this day like the stars of heaven in number.”

JF = Moses tells the people, in verse 38, that Joshua would the one to cause Israel to inherit the Land. Joshua will be another person to watch (his characteristics and role) as a foreshadow of who Jesus would ultimately be.

Chapter 2: Wanderings In the Wilderness

In this chapter, Moses continues his historical review of their wilderness wanderings. He recounted that they were not to take any of the land from Moab and Ammon as that was promised to Lot, nor were they to take land from Esau. He also reminded them how God put a fear of them upon the people everywhere they went.

Note: Many verses here tell us that the Israelites were able to buy food and water from many of these nations as they passed through – thus the importance of the plunder of the Egyptian when they left so they had money (silver and gold). There were some nations they had to defeat in battle, and thus would have gained spoils from them as well.

Chapter 3: Conquests Recounted

In this chapter, Moses continues to focus on the many conquests with a focus on Og, king of Bashan. This land, along with the hill country of Gilead, was given to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Then these tribes made a promise to Moses and the Nation that they would continue on in battle until the remaining tribes received their allotment on the other side of the Jordan. Moses tells them that the LORD was angry with him, and that he would not be allowed to go in, but Joshua would lead them.

Note: King Og of Bashan was left as a remnant of the Rephaim, which is a group of very large people. Scholars are mixed on their origin and even if later on Goliath may be from that genealogy (or possibly a medical condition like Acromegaly or Marfan’s or Giantism that we see today). 

C = We see a partial fulfillment of the Abrahamic land promise with these three tribes receiving land, although it is on the opposite side of the Jordan from the main Promised Land territory.

Chapter 4: Israel Urged to Obey God’s Law; Moses’ Second Address – Principals for Godly Living

In the first part of this chapter, Moses urges the people to obey all that God has commanded them as they go into, and live, in the Promised Land. He warns them over and over again to not depart from this Law so that they will be prosperous and protected; and if they do depart from it they will suffer great consequences. He focuses here especially on idol worship (images in the earth or sky). In the last part of this chapter, Moses begins his second address concerning the Law.

Note: It is interesting in verse two God says “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Then, by Jesus’ time, they had added so much to the Law, no one could keep it.

C = This chapter is a focus on the Mosaic Law, especially where the people were not to make graven images or worship anything other than the LORD.

JF = The Mosaic Law shows the people in a cyclical patter of being unable to keep the Law, falling into sin and needing to make continuous sacrificial offering to atone for their failures, thus, the need for Jesus, who kept the law perfectly and went to the cross as a perfect unblemished sacrifice for us.

The Jesus Bible: “Through Jesus the righteous requirements of the law are fulfilled. Jesus provides a sure standing before God, one that entails unending blessings as his people now and for all of eternity.”

Chapter 5: The Ten Commandments; Moses Intercedes

Here Moses emphasizes that these commands are now given directly to this new generation and he goes into a dialog specifically on the Ten Commandments. Moses recounts how God specifically gave these commands to him on the mountain where he interceded for the people, and in verse 33 he encourages them to, “walk in all the way which the LORD you God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.”

Note: Verse 29 seems like a lament from God in that He knows that they will not always follow Him and His Law.

C = The Mosaic Covenant is seen here in the repeating of the Ten Commandments (previously given in Exodus chapter 20).

JF (from the Jesus’ Bible) = Just as Moses interceded for the people on the mountain where God gave the commandments, Jesus is a far superior mediator and intercessor because He took the final punishment and secured an eternal blessing for those who believe in Him. We can enter the presence of God without fear because of our perfect standing before the LORD through Jesus. His righteous perfection covers imperfection and provides admission into the presence of God.

HOMEWORK:

THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY

Before reading and studying, do the background check from your survey format first:

1. Author – 2. Audience – 3. Purpose, then…

Read Deuteronomy chapters 6– 15 and do the following: This would begin number 4 – Content from the Bible survey format…

• Basic: Write a title for each chapter (could include more than one depending on topics in that chapter).
• Going Deeper: Take notes to summarize the chapter (no more than three to five sentences). However, you can add to your summaries if you glean something important from your study partners.
• Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes:

a.Is there anything in the chapter that relates to one of the Covenants (Adamic, Abrahamic or Mosaic)?

b.Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in the chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus?

c.The Shelf: Note any questions or a-ha’s you have about the chapter.