Jill Graham, an alumna of Southern Evangelical Seminary and a speaker on Christian apologetics, dives into the struggle of faith amidst suffering in her insightful talk. She explores the complexities of believing in a benevolent God during personal and collective hardships, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through personal stories and philosophical reflection, Jill addresses the coexistence of free will and evil, critiques common platitudes about suffering, and emphasizes the healing power of encounters with God and community support.
The podcast explores the philosophical problem of evil, questioning how a good God exists alongside suffering in the world.
The importance of free will is emphasized, as it allows for both moral good and evil, aligning with God's desire for genuine relationships.
The speaker highlights that personal encounters with God and community support provide reassurance and deepen faith amid life's adversities.
Deep dives
The Problem of Suffering
The discussion addresses the common struggle many face regarding the concept of a good and loving God amidst suffering and evil in the world. The speaker highlights how various horrific events, such as shootings or acts of terrorism, challenge one's faith and understanding of God's nature. This struggle is compounded for Christians who believe in God's goodness, making it vital to explore why these evils occur while maintaining faith. Using the case of personal loss and sadness, the speaker connects with the audience's experiences, emphasizing the importance of seeking personal understanding during crises.
Philosophical Approaches to Evil
A key assertion in the discussion revolves around the philosophical problem of evil, which questions how an all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent God can coexist with the presence of evil. The speaker explains two conceptual frameworks: a defense, which argues that God's existence is logically consistent with the presence of evil, and a theodicy, which seeks to provide moral justification for God's allowance of evil. It is emphasized that the existence of free will is central to this conversation since true love and goodness require the capacity to choose, even at the cost of potential evil. This philosophical lens is essential for Christians to respond to skeptics and maintain their faith in God despite life's adversities.
The Role of Free Will
The speaker emphasizes that free will, while enabling moral good, also opens the door to moral evil in the world. The discussion underscores that God allows human beings to make their own choices, which can lead to both good and bad outcomes. Utilizing personal anecdotes, the speaker illustrates how free will aligns with divine love, highlighting that forcing choices would compromise genuine relationships between God and humans. This perspective reinforces the idea that the existence of evil does not negate God’s goodness but rather showcases the complexity of free will.
Finding Hope in Redemption
The conversation shifts to the healing and redemptive power of God amidst suffering. The speaker notes that, although suffering is not inherently good, God can bring about a greater good through such experiences. Biblical examples, such as the story of Job, illustrate that suffering can lead to deeper faith and an understanding of God's providence. Ultimately, knowing that God can redeem even the worst situations provides hope and encourages believers to trust in His goodness during difficult times.
The Importance of Personal Experience
The speaker underscores that personal encounters with God can often provide deeper reassurance than mere intellectual comprehension of faith. Anecdotes of God's tangible presence during individual struggles highlight the significance of spiritual experiences in affirming belief. The importance of genuine relationships, both with God and within the community, is emphasized as a source of support and understanding through trials. This relational aspect of faith serves to remind believers that they are not alone in their struggles and reinforces the belief in a loving and caring God who is present in their suffering.
As we continue to face our new normal of dealing with COVID-19, the question on many people's minds is, "Why would God allow this?" Today, we reach back into the archives of the National Conference on Christian Apologetics and listen to a talk by SES alumna Jill Graham as she addresses the real struggle involved with understanding the goodness of God in light of suffering. We pray you will find the information both helpful and edifying.
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