The Faith of Jesus: The Cross And The Problem of Evil

  • Jeremy Erb
  • Apr 8, 2007
  • Series: Easter

The events of Easter, climaxing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ reveal to us God's answer to the problem of evil. He does not offer us an explanation, but an event in which God deals with evil -- and establishes the paradigm for us in which evil is overcome by good.

  1. Judas & Satan – Spiritual Evil
  2. Peter & Betrayal – Relational Evil
  3. Israel (Caiphas) – Relgious Evil
  4. Pilate/Herod/Rome – National Systemic Evil
  5. Cross & Death – Physical Evil

The Problem of Evil

 

If there is a God, and he is good, why is there such a thing as evil?

OR

The Problem of Good

If the world is a chance assembly of accidental phenomena, why is there so much that we want to praise and celebrate?

The problem of evil is not:
  1. Hypothetical
  2. Philosophical
  3. Logical or Mathematical
  4. Theological
  5. Exegetical
  6. Political
It is:
  1. Practical

How do I live in a world with evil? What is God going to DO about evil?
  1. Promise in the Garden
  2. Restraining of evil – Noah
  3. Call of Abraham
  4. Formation of the Nation – Moses/Exodus/Land
  5. King David
  6. Failure/Exile/Return
  7. Waiting
  8. Jesus Steps In!