The Experiential Problem of Evil In this lesson we consider a different aspect of the problem of evil, what might be called the experiential problem. What is the experiential problem? What are the kinds of questions that the experience of evil and suffering raise? How is the logical problem different from the experiential problem, and how does it call for a different apologetic? How does Jesus’ interaction with Mary and Martha in John 11 concerning the death of Lazarus model for us how we can minister to people experiencing great evil or suffering in their lives? What is the eternal perspective concerning evil which we observe throughout scripture? What are some examples in Scripture of the eternal perspective of people who suffered greatly? (57 min)
Lesson 17: Review Questions
Lesson 17: Lesson Notes

Tags: Evil, Experietial Problem

The Logical Problem of Evil In this lesson we continue our consideration of the problem of evil. What are the deductive and inductive versions of the problem of evil? Why is it important to properly understand what Christians mean by God’s omnipotence? What are two ways to respond to the problem of evil? What is Alvin Plantinga’s Free Will Defense, and why is it important? What is essential to have morally significant individuals who have a capacity to love God and one another? What is the problem with the idea of the “best of all possible worlds?” When contemplating the scale and kind of evil in the world, what is necessary to be able to assess the probability that God exists? How have Christians historically accounted for natural evil? (63 min)
Lesson 16: Review Questions
Lesson 16: Lesson Notes

Tags: Evil, Suffering, Problem of Evil, Freedom, Determinism, Libertarian Freedom

The Problem of Evil: What is Evil? In this lesson we began to tackle what many consider the chief obstacle to faith which people encounter and for which the Christian apologist must have a satisfactory answer: the Problem of Evil. What is the problem of evil? What are the two kinds of evil? What is the difference between the logical and experiential problems of evil? What are the various views of what evil is, and what is the Christian view of evil? What is a “state of affairs?” Why is it important to understand that evil is a state of affairs? Did God create evil? What is the difference between creating and actualizing, and why is that important? What about the verse in Isaiah which seems to say God created evil? What is the difference between the deductive and the inductive aspects of the logical problem of evil? (46 min)
Lesson 15: Review Questions
Lesson 15: Lesson Notes

Tags: Problem of Evil, States of Affairs, Suffering, Evil