Gerry Breshears, professor of theology at Western Seminary, discusses the problem of evil. He explores Christian responses and highlights the importance of focusing on the incarnation. The podcast explores different types of suffering, the question of God's involvement, and the challenge of promoting goodness in the face of evil.
Focusing on the incarnation of Jesus provides a helpful starting point to understand the problem of evil.
The person of Jesus and his incarnation reveal God's care and involvement in the midst of evil, offering hope and assurance.
Deep dives
The Problem of Evil and theodicy
The podcast episode explores the problem of evil in the context of theology and philosophy. The hosts discuss how people often struggle with the existence of evil and suffering in a world governed by a good and powerful God. They explain that the problem arises from the tension between the affirmation of God's attributes and the reality of evil. Different approaches to solve this problem within Christianity are mentioned, such as the Calvinist view that emphasizes a greater good defense and the Arminian view that highlights the importance of authentic relationship. Ultimately, the hosts argue that the answer to the problem of evil lies in the person of Jesus and his incarnation. They explain that Jesus' life, suffering, and death demonstrate God's care and involvement in the midst of evil. They suggest that instead of seeking to understand fully why evil exists, Christians should focus on joining God in doing good in the midst of evil situations.
The Incarnation as a Theodicy
The hosts emphasize that directing attention to Jesus and his incarnation provides a compelling response to the problem of evil. They discuss how Jesus' life on Earth, marked by rejection, political oppression, bullying, and crucifixion, reveals God's care and involvement in human suffering. They assert that Jesus' personal experience with evil demonstrates God's deep concern for humanity. They argue that the incarnation serves as a theological defense against the claim that God doesn't care or is absent in times of suffering. By looking at Jesus, Christians find hope and assurance that God is at work in the midst of evil. The hosts encourage individuals, regardless of their theological perspective, to recognize that God is good enough and powerful enough to bring about good even in the face of the worst evil. They conclude that Christians should focus on how they can join God in doing good in the midst of evil situations.
Applying the Incarnation to the Problem of Evil
The hosts discuss the practical implications of the incarnation for dealing with the problem of evil. They address the question of why God allows evil to exist and highlight the various types of suffering or evil experienced by individuals. They explain that Christians should not expect the elimination of pain and suffering, but rather focus on the response to evil. They urge Christians to be tenaciously loyal to God, even when they don't fully understand why evil exists. They highlight the importance of remembering that God cares, as demonstrated in the person of Jesus, and that He is actively involved in working good in the face of evil. They emphasize the need for Christians to join God in his mission to overcome evil with good, and to seek ways to bring about positive change and support those experiencing various forms of suffering.
Addressing the Problem of Evil in Evangelism
The hosts explore how the problem of evil can be addressed in evangelistic conversations. They suggest engaging in an apologetic dialogue by asking non-believers how they explain the presence of evil in the world. They discuss common naturalistic explanations, such as the survival of the fittest, and point out their limitations in providing satisfactory answers. They propose redirecting the conversation to present the Christian perspective, which emphasizes God's response to evil through Jesus' incarnation. They argue that this perspective offers a more coherent and meaningful understanding of the problem of evil, encouraging individuals to consider the goodness and involvement of God in the midst of suffering. They conclude that the central message is not a full explanation of why evil exists, but rather the invitation to participate in God's mission to bring about good in the face of evil.
Why would a good and powerful God allow evil and suffering? Todd welcomes Gerry Breshears to the podcast to talk about the problem of evil. Gerry summarizes the most common Christian responses to the problem of evil and explains how focusing on the incarnation can be a helpful place to start.
Gerry has been a professor of theology at Western Seminary since 1980. He considers himself a "pastor's pastor" and loves to mentor men and women doing work for the Kingdom.
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