The Problem of Evil

Welcome, dear viewers, to a thought-provoking discussion on one of the most profound challenges to religious beliefs: the Problem of Evil. In this enlightening episode of "Big Questions", Christian Apologist Simon Williams from Northeast Christian Apologetics and Associate Pastor Zak Stevens from Groton Bible Chapel dive deep into this philosophical dilemma, dissecting its complexities and exploring three compelling responses: Skeptical Theism, The Presuppositionalist Response, and The Freewill Defense.
🔍 Understanding the Problem of Evil:
The Problem of Evil raises fundamental questions about the coexistence of a benevolent, all-powerful God and the existence of evil and suffering in the world. Simon and Zak provide a comprehensive overview of this argument, delving into its nuances and historical context.
Exploring Responses:
1. Skeptical Theism: Simon and Zak explore the concept of Skeptical Theism, which challenges our ability to fully comprehend the divine plan, suggesting that our finite perspective limits our understanding of the reasons behind suffering.
2. The Presuppositionalist Response: They delve into The Presuppositionalist Response, which posits that without a divine foundation, there can be no objective moral framework, making the existence of evil itself reliant on the concept of God.
3. The Freewill Defense: The discussion also revolves around The Freewill Defense, a response that reconciles human free will with the existence of evil, suggesting that genuine love and moral choices necessitate the possibility of wrongdoing.
🤝 Join the Dialogue:
Share your thoughts and questions about the Problem of Evil and the responses discussed in the comments section below. What are your perspectives on these arguments? Let's engage in a respectful and enlightening conversation, exploring diverse viewpoints.
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📌 Connect with Simon Williams and Zak Stevens:
Explore more content and engage with Simon Williams from Northeast Christian Apologetics on Facebook / necaministry and Zak Stevens from Groton Bible Chapel on Facebook / grotonbiblechapel . Follow them for updates on upcoming discussions and events.
Thank you for joining us in this deep dive into the Problem of Evil and its various responses. Let's continue to explore profound questions, challenge our beliefs, and seek understanding together.
#ProblemOfEvil #ChristianApologetics #PhilosophicalDiscussion #SkepticalTheism #Presuppositionalism #FreewillDefense #FaithAndPhilosophy #SimonWilliams #ZakStevens
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[@rob_7775]

Nice.

[@ir3946]

Except the god is not good, this is just a false assumption. Is god good when he kills people with venomous snakes when they ask for food ? (numbers 21: 4-9) Or when he commands a genocide? (Deuteronomy 20:16-18) Or when he permits slavery and also to beat your slaves as long as they dont die in the couple of days? (Leviticus 25:44-46, Exodus 21:20-21).
How is god good when he not only allows for evil to happen but also commands evil to happen? He is all-powerful, he is supposed to be able to do anything, like not commiting a genocide or saying "dont own people as property".
Not only that why did he chose the worst way to communicate his will through text? Text is subject to many problems in communications such as misinterpretation, mistranslation, lost texts etc. I think that a talk would be 100% times better, he is allpowerfull and omnipresent so this should not be too hard for him to do if he wans for evryone to be in heaven and also to also have a relationship with him.

[@northeastchristianapologet1133]

Nothing you've said here proves that God is not good. All you've done is provided reasons for why you believe God is not good. But as long as it's possible for God to have morally sufficient justification for His actions, then there's actually no reason to assume that He doesn't.
It may be hard to read, but all you have is an unjustified belief that God is not good. But the emotional problem of evil is very difficult to overcome. So, I don't blame you for feeling the way you do. But you must conquer these doubts regarding God's goodness. For your own sake.

[@ir3946]

​@@northeastchristianapologet1133 If there is a ruler that helps people but also, on the side, commands genocides and permits slavery in his tribe would we call this ruler a good one? And what justification do you need to have to justify slavery? Are you this morally bankrupt?
It is not hard to read at all, it is hard to twist and bend in order to justify an obviously evil act as good, that is what you are doing. That is why you are saying that "it is hard", it is simply not. Slavery is wrong and so is a person that permits it. Killing someone just because said someone is begging for food is downright evil. Your god acts evil, so he cant be all-good.
You can win me over if you offer a justification for those acts, but beware that you are trying to justyfy slavery and beating a slave to death.

[@northeastchristianapologet1133]

@@ir3946
I'm not concerned with winning you over. I'm just telling you why I think your reasons for believing that God is not good are weak. Here's a couple other observations.
First, you seem to have a very naive moral model. There is an important difference between moral values and moral duties that you need to understand in order to have this conversation. And I'm not really interested in teaching you the difference as you're not part of my target audience.
Second, you are much too confident in your moral judgments when it comes to systems as complicated as the entire world we inhabit.
Anyway, even though my responses were short, I hope you can see why I'm not very impressed with your comments. That's about it for me. Have a nice day.

[@ir3946]

@@northeastchristianapologet1133If my reasons for beliving that god is evil are weak when i present the exat actions of said gods that shows him to be an moraly bankrupt god, then how strong or how weak your belives are when you just said in the video that "we know that god is all good" and moved on?
Is god doing the right thing when he permits slavery, beating of said slaves and commands genocides? Is there any justification for an all knowing and all powerful god to do it? For anyone to do it? Why is it so hard to you to admitt that those things are not good?
What? Are you talking that i am too confident in the satement of "Slavery is bad" or "Genocide is not good"? Would you say the same to people who think that hitler is evil for commiting a genocide?
They were not short, they were lackluster. This is very basic theological question and if you cant answer it then what the hell of a apologetics channel are you, pathetic.