Sermons on theodicy
God Meant Evil for Good
God is in control of all things. This simple truth becomes more difficult when we consider evil in the world and the evil actions of men. How does God’s rule extend over evil and suffering? This message considers the story of Joseph and how God is revealed in his life. Not only must we know about God’s sovereignty, we must live in light of it. May this sermon help us to do just that. This is the first of a…
Defending God against Questions of Justice
Elihu responds to Job’s questions in defense of God. Job has questioned God’s justice as he suffers. He cannot understand why God has brought this great calamity upon him. Elihu burns with anger as he desires to see God and his justice defended and exonerated. So Elihu takes up this task to explain why Job suffers. This helps us to think through this most profound issue of suffering and the justice of God.
God? Disease, Suffering, and Death
When calamity strikes, it is common to consider God’s plan and power. Is God responsible? Is this judgment? How can he allow this? How can he be glorified in this? Won’t this turn people away from him? Why doesn’t he do something? In this sermon, we consider the scriptural witness that God is in absolute control over all things, including suffering. But rather than be a detriment to faith, this undergirds and raises our faith! We consider six ways God’s…
The Origin of Sin
Where did sin come from? How could sin enter into God’s good creation? Didn’t God make everything good? If God doesn’t sin, does that mean that he permitted sin? Or did he plan it or ordain it? We explore these important questions and we seek to understand the beginnings of sin in God’s universe and the purpose sin has in God’s eternal, wise plan.
If God, Why Evil?
What we see is that denying God or attributing evil to man’s free will is unsatisfactory experientially and unsatisfactory according to the Bible. Rather God has ordained evil and suffering to display his glory. We see this primarily in the death of Jesus Christ that was planned as a sacrifice for sin before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8; Eph 1:3-11; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Acts 2:22-23; 4:27-28; 1 Pet 1:18-20). This means that, incredibly, sin was part of God’s…