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

The Spiritual Apologist In our final introductory lesson we seek to understand our theme verse of 1 Peter 3:15 in the context of Peter’s entire letter. What does it mean to be “aliens and strangers” in the world? What role does the reality of Christian suffering play in Peter’s epistle? What theme runs through the epistle which contrasts with that of suffering? How do the ideas of suffering and hope reflect on our call to be ready to offer a defense of the faith? Why is the character of our lives an important part of our apologetic? What things can we be doing to develop the kind of character of which Peter speaks? What should we be exhibiting in the way we speak to and related to people when we are doing apologetics? (53 min)
Lesson 3: Review Questions
Lesson 3: Lesson Notes

Tags: Apologetics, Fear, Suffering, Hope