Answering the Problem of Evil and Suffering

[@k.m.virginia7523]

WOW, right. I think this sermon was the best “why we suffer” video I have ever heard and the real reason why we trust in Christ and what we trust in him for. I don’t think I ever understood that in my 50 or so years following Jesus Christ. Thank you Dr. Sean McDowell.

[@rajkumari9627]

Greetings from India!Praise the Lord!Thank you Sean for a clear,concise,Biblical explanation so well enunciated!

[@ridgefield]

Thank you so much for sharing this. This helped me organize what I have been thinking based on the Bible and several sermons after going through and seeing the brokenness. Thank you!

[@smalliehound]

Great message, Sean. May the body of Christ have ears to hear.

[@SeanMcDowell]

Thanks…amen!

[@Selene0212]

I'm blessed with your message Dr. Sean Mc Dowell. Thank you to our God.🙏😇 I always watch your videos fr. Philippines. God bless you 🙏 ❤️ to God be all the glory...

[@nictwisp]

Thank you! 🙏🏽 😁

[@ruthmaru5061]

This is powerful. The way your wrapped your message with good news of the gospel was beautiful! God bless you and your family.

[@johnhammond6423]

Except he never really addressed the question of why an all powerful and all loving God allows suffering. The nearest he came to answering the question was just 'trust in God'

[@brobrianhbsurfer5178]

@@johnhammond6423you should listen again my friend. ❤

[@sally9352]

​@@johnhammond6423you haven't read about Adam and Eve? Or the Gospel? You can't judge without understanding. You should research your own question from credible Christian sources to give you a bit of a grasp on Christianity and God. Then go deeper into research seeing it from our point of view and ask God for help so he can give you understanding and knowledge of scripture and God himself.

[@johnhammond6423]

@@sally9352 _'you haven't read about Adam and Eve?'_ We know with overwhelming evidence that we are just an evolved species of ape [homo sapiens] there was no Adam and Eve. I don't believe in old religious books thousands of years old full of fairy tales.

[@majorphenom1]

Thanks for sharing 🙏🏿 His grace and mercy be upon you all and your loved ones 🕊️🥛🍯

[@serenabell1971]

Thank you for sharing.

[@elainekoeppel7250]

I am glad that you brought this message. It makes perfect sense. And makes us rethink if we are going to learn to be like God maybe we need to go through tough times and figure a way to do the right thing

[@adeniranm7647]

Sean, you get better every year. Keep up the great work, Brother!

[@SeanMcDowell]

Thanks brother!

[@lovekids6835]

Thankyou Dr. Sean for your explaination of suffering, this is really help me to understanding God more. May God bless you and your family in everything you do. Love from Indonesia

[@dawnlemaster4110]

Thank you for this beautiful lesson! PTL 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@NancySwass-jv4kp]

The Bible says "All things work for the good of those that love the Lord." When stuff happens,like, TO YOU, your faith should make you KNOW that our God will use it for my good, and, then, let that be our satisfaction.And pray it brings glory to His name.

[@daleproctor3723]

In my view an all powerful god could find some other means to achieve "my good" that didn't involve my suffering. Also, I've gotten by just fine so far without ever getting cancer, for example, and will quite happily do without despite whatever good you can foolishly imagine will come out of me getting it. A god that allows suffering to happen because it "brings glory to His name" is very messed up and not worthy of any glory or praise IMHO.

[@sally9352]

​@@daleproctor3723you do understand that God gave us free will and in the end we will be judged accordingly. Don't for one second think God doesn't repay sinners here on earth. Vengeance belongs to Him. There are many reasons God let's suffering happen and most of the time we bring it upon ourselves because of our free will, sins and choices. They all have consequences. If you are a child of God and suffering it's for a reason, that God reveals to his children. When we suffer and turn to Christ we Christian's end up seeing the glory of God in our lives. It is why we say he exists because he fights the wars in our lives that we can't. If you are not a child of God he let's you live your life and intervenes when necessary and even uses you but you can't see or hear him because your spiritual eyes and ears are closed. Learn how to listen to God's voice then you will understand what you don't know and thought you did about God and Christianity.

[@albinatagieva8660]

Thank you so much ❤

[@rhondaharris398]

Thank you for the first point...if the question is from a place of emotion then showing up is the right response. Im going to remember to ask that.

[@waynesulak1488]

Well done sermon covering the historical arguments. I appreciate that negative comments toward nonbelievers were kept to a minimum. Buddhism was misrepresented. Buddhist do not have a "problem of evil" because they have no God (Buddha was a man who found a path out of suffering). The Buddhist World View does not use the terms "good" and "evil" as we in the west use them. This is very hard for people raised in Abrahamic religions to imagine but it is a profound difference in world view which is ignored in this sermon. Actions and intentions in the Buddhist view are to be sought out or avoided because they lead to more or less suffering of creatures in the world rather than because they are commanded by God, please God, defy God or turn away from God. Buddhism has many of the trappings of religion but some think of it as a philosophy because there is no creator God to be worshiped or to be saved by or protected by. The Buddha is revered for discovering the path out of suffering. Some sects carry this reverence to a greater extreme than others. Also the "Buddha guy" shown is not The Buddha but a Chinese monk that is credited for spreading Buddhism centuries later in China and therefore later to Japan. Buddha was born in India and traditional depicted with South Asian features and a thin build. The confusion often arises because of the prominence of Chinese culture in the world and anyone that achieves the ultimate goal in Buddhism can sometimes referred to as a Buddha, but there is only one founder and that is The Buddha from India.

[@dellabesong9447]

This is very helpful Sean. Thank you

[@SeanMcDowell]

You bet!

[@yeshuaislord3058]

This was an awesome video brother. It really was

[@nadinedixoncoaching]

The evil done towards our animal friends horrifies me. So many Christians are ignorant or choose ignorance. I'm happy to see some Christian groups taking a stand specifically for the animals.

[@johnhammond6423]

The untold suffering of almost all animals in the wild is one of the major reason why I am an atheist.

[@beadoll8025]

The mistreatment of animals is absolutely deplorable behavior however, as Christians we are more focused on human beings and the human condition because many are leaving this earth and going into a Godless eternity because sin is what gets people into hell. People will be held accountable when we die, animals will not. Rejecting Jesus as savior has devastating consequences that last forever. As christians we must prioritize the most important things because even after 1 million years in torment, you're still at day ONE in hell. If more people would come to Jesus, there be a positive change in the heart and the evil in the world would not a factor be as prevalent and harming animals wouldn't be a factor.

[@johnhammond6423]

@@beadoll8025 _'The mistreatment of animals is absolutely deplorable behaviour'_ Your God apparently drowned almost all the animals in the world at the time of the flood. Tell me, is that deplorable? _'even after 1 million years in torment, you're still at day ONE in hell'_ What a sick religion Christianaty is. So for just not being convinced that your God exists, in a million years from now I will still be screaming out in agony while your up there in heaven sipping on a martini. Thank God I am an atheist and not a part of your death cult!

[@karolinaszczudlo9871]

​@@johnhammond6423that's some kind of joke 😂? I would think animals should be in so called wilderness - natural environment no?

[@mrssmithh]

Powerful lesson. Thank you and bless you 🙏🏽

[@anupwardlife4160]

The ultimate evil God allowed: The brutal rejection, torture and death of His own Son! What God brought out of that is the potential of your and my redemption into blessings of joy and peace in God's presence . . FOREVER!

[@oliverjamito9902]

Remembering one another once born, to crawling, to walking, and till now...thy Feet resting in front! Very tip of time

[@stephenkaake7016]

my father destroyed my life 19 years ago, I have been wrongfully punished tortured and abused, no one wants to help correct this, I can go into a church and they say 'we don't help people' . someone should help, Jesus said to help, I begged God and was given a greater mind, talent and ability. People should care

[@Bila-hu4qw]

Yes, people should care. I'm praying for your complete healing.

[@PiRobot314]

I'm so sorry that has happened to you. That's awful!

[@lilyw.719]

Try a psychiatrist. It's not fair to lay your psychological issues on a church.

[@KeryssoFilmTestimonies777]

Many people care, but they don't always know how to help. They might know how to help practically, but dealing with trauma is not easy. I pray you will meet people who care, and also who know how to help. May you receive healing and restoration from your trauma, and even, for your own sake, be able to forgive. 🙏❤️

[@Elleluna0384]

I know this may sound insensitive but it’s honestly said with love. It’s our job to heal ourselves. If you are looking for Christ in a building you won’t find it. It is only within us. You can choose to stay a victim, feel sorry for yourself and expect others to do the work for you but then how would you grow from the experience? Or you can choose to do the work within and transmute the pain you have experienced into something beautiful that will help others in your own healing. That’s the help Jesus was talking about. I truly hope you find the peace you are seeking. Also I recommend watching some of the teachings of Bill Donahue and Dolores Cannon on KZbin.

[@marywesley6460]

So good.

[@randalrobinson3424]

The issue of suffering due to people's choices was addressed, but I heard nothing to address the issue of suffering due to such things as disease, etc.

[@sally9352]

We suffer diseases because of sin. Because of sin we have death. Everything is deteriorating. It's in the first book of the Bible, Genesis.

[@ManoverSuperman]

@@sally9352Genesis does not say disease came to exist because of sin. It’s not in the Bible.

[@randalrobinson3424]

@sally9352 yes, that is conventional Christian theology even though the Bible does not explicitly say it. My comment was directed at Sean, not addressing why God can allow this and still be loving and good. Sean explained why the gift of free well neceitates the possibility of people being evil toward each other, but this does not explain suffering from disease that is not caused by human choice. I still believe that God is good and loving, but I can't rational justify my belief through a rational argument for every case of suffering in the world.

[@sally9352]

My mother in law died of cancer 4 years ago. She was evil towards me and my children. One day as I was praying on a Monday God gave me a vision of her. I saw her in my vision and God told me he gave her cancer. That same Friday she comes back from the doctors and says she's just been diagnosed with cancer. While she was dying she was mean at first with me but then towards the end she was nicer, she stopped the attacks on me. While she was dying God told me to pray for her salvation, and its hard praying for blessings over your enemies. He said he was taking her because she was his when I asked why? Her son who is not a Christian asked her to give her life to Jesus days before she passed and although she couldn't answer we hope she accepted Jesus. There was suffering and her family didn't understand it but I did. Sometimes God has to let someone suffer to save them.

[@Yipper64]

43:08 sometimes when people complain about wholesome people getting cancelled (namely Mr. Beast) they'll say "I bet they'd even find a way to cancel Jesus Christ" And when I hear that I cant help but think "Uh yeah? They literally did."

[@NancySwass-jv4kp]

God has made a way for us to get back to him. To all of us, a free gift. Salvation through Christ.

[@Yesome1]

Pain in life is inevitable,suffering is optional

[@oliverjamito9902]

What is a life? Indeed knows

[@midimusicforever]

The logical problem of evil doesn't work for sure, skeptical theism defeats that.

[@WaterCat5]

Yeah, it does, but then you resort to saying God's behavior cannot be understood. Then you have reason to doubt the very essence of Christianity because you have no reason to believe the resurrection was a good or necessary thing

[@Raz0rIG]

@at5 Your argument assumes a finite being should be able to understand an infinite being, is that reasonable? God knows everything from beginning to end, and we don't, it makes sense why we may not understand why any event occurs. From the understanding of the butterfly effect, we know that one simple change can ripple several millions upon billions of causes and effects to change. If chess isn't a solved game yet, and grandmasters are still no where near to solving a perfect game of chess with the optimal moves, how much more is an infinite being able to call moves ahead of time for his ultimate purpose in winning the ENTIRE game and not just a single point of interaction. And if God is real and the afterlife is true, people don't truly cease to exist, they just change locations. And it's God's right to usher people into one life to the next anytime he wants. But justice will be served in the end, when his judgment comes. So it's not like evil is getting away with it in a Christian worldview, and in fact in the atheistic world view, evil DOES get away with it if there's no God. God doesn't OWE anyone a good 80 year long life with no complications. He is the author of life and he is free to take life whenever he wants. You saying it's injustice to take life or allow suffering is coming from a sense of entitlement if you TRULY acknowledge God as God, then by definition he has every right to shape the world as he wills. This doesn't mean God doesn't have compassion towards us, but he must have good reasons for it in his ultimate purpose and if we are his children and accept his grace we will be redeemed and we will be vindicated in the ultimate court of the universe. The same way a child may not understand why the parent allows suffering of the dentist visit, the parent has good reasons for the suffering.

[@christopherhearn4309]

@@WaterCat5 Can I ask what you mean? Within Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus is not just necessary but essential.

[@WaterCat5]

@@christopherhearn4309 Skeptical theism asserts that we can't know the mind or ways of god. If you accept that, you have no justification for believing the resurrection was good. The only reason people think that it would have been good is that the bible says so, but the contents of the bible are not at all guaranteed to be true under skeptical theism.

[@christopherhearn4309]

@@WaterCat5Okay. Thanks!

[@shadowm2k7]

I love this question 'cause it's literally the first thing that happens in the Bible after the creation 😅 like, just read, lol, it's on like page 2

[@sally9352]

I dont agree that God causes suffering in our lives. He allows it, thats a big difference. We see an example of it in Job.

[@mimim6681]

Thank you. I also like to think about what Dr Michael Heiser said. “God could rid this world of evil in a second. But then we all would be gone.” God would rather suffer through the evil than be without us.

[@BtK-gn5hb]

In regards to suffering, the issue isnt whether God exists. The question is whether God is good and to be trusted.

[@jamiefaucett7216]

Speaking of the problem of suffering I would pay money to see a Sean McDowell vs Bart Erhman debate !!!

[@oliverjamito9902]

Silent...what is silent? While Angels who preserve awaited! Why? Students shared "i" AM will say keep watch!

[@ron88303]

Answer: If there is a god (or gods); we were created simply for his/their entertainment.

[@wilhelmvonn9619]

That is actually the oldest religious belief of all.

[@karolinaszczudlo9871]

​@@wilhelmvonn9619the oldest meaning? Name please?

[@WayTruthLife316]

*Life's a battle if you do it your way. Life's a battle if you do it JESUS GOD'S Way. But wouldn't you rather have ALMIGHTY GOD in your corner?👊❤️‍🔥✝️🙏*

[@oliverjamito9902]

Students shared "i" AM will say even all the RENOWNED knows? Liken unto unfamiliar ways of speaking unto many but yet is clear as water unto Whom BELONGS? "i"

[@wrippley103]

Evil is just a higher state of entropy of good, without order you get chaos. Good only stands if the legs that support it stand firm.

[@bjk8794]

I can imagine an empty universe and i can also imagine a universe with maximal evil( hell for instance) if evil is indeed just the negation of good then you are asserting both of these are equally bad, does that seem right to you?

[@wrippley103]

@@bjk8794 No, I am not asserting both are equal or equally bad, I have no idea how you came to that conclusion.

[@bjk8794]

@@wrippley103 that is the logical conclusion to saying evil is just the negation of good, both scenarios have equal amounts of good( meaning zero) so that means they are equally bad. If you don't agree with that then your definition of evil is the problem.

[@wrippley103]

@@bjk8794 No, one doesn't come from the other, it is a state change that results in the other, eg. the light is on, the light is off. Light doesn't come from the dark and the dark does not come from the light, the result is what happens when the light goes out, a state change.

[@bjk8794]

@@wrippley103 even your own example shows your definition is wrong, cause a universe with nothing in it and a universe with only darkness are both similar in terms of darkness but when you change it to good and evil it doesn't work, how are you not seeing that?

[@ChrisMusante]

I have resolved your 'tough question'... and God is POWERLESS to stop it... He cannot take away 'freewill'. Jesus - who should NOT have been crucified as per 1 Corinthians 2:8 - tried to teach all of the same that I can teach. I have THE 'theodicy' and can not only vindicate God but PROVE why it is GOOD that the LORD creates 'evil'. Today is February 27th... and yesterday I celebrated the birthday and BURIAL day of my twin girls... 'because they couldn't find their heartbeats'.

[@ChrisMusante]

My phone number is available. Use it.

[@horridhenry9920]

God often took away peoples “free will “ in the Bible. According to the Bible he hardened Pharaohs heart so that he did not release the Israelites.

[@kevlark3184]

If you ask if God why evil? Then look inwards. God is mercy and youre alive.

[@Crafty.Veteran.Survival]

❤

[@ladonnayoung676]

Sin creates spiritual pollution. If you find a plastic bag that blew into your yard, you pick it up and throw it away. You don't pack up and move. 😢We who follow Jesus are the only ones who know what sin is. We are the spiritual nurses to tend the wounded, janitors to cover sin with forgiveness, and police pressing against the darkness with the light of the Word we live by and setting the captives of evil free.

[@akjammajka]

How can we understand that God can not be tempted while Jesus (God) was tempted in the wilderness?

[@NI-pi2ne]

Hey sean- since you are over there why don't you go to the factory where your hip nike high tops were made and see the conditions of those who are forced to make them so you can look cool!

[@bobtaylor170]

Yikes! I don't know anything about tennis shoes, but if you have anything made overseas it was made by people who were either slaves or not much better than slaves.

[@NI-pi2ne]

@@bobtaylor170 I know- that is the hypocrisy of sean and christians. they live comfortable lives and sell bs to the masses so they can get paid well and live well. that is my point

[@Disciple793]

You can light without shadows, but you cannot have shadows without light. Therefore, you cannot have evil without good. God is the author of objective truth.

[@PiRobot314]

The big question I have is what reason do we have to believe in an all-loving God rather than believing in a God who is only sometimes loving?

[@sally9352]

If God was only sometimes loving how could we trust him? It's not who he is and we know this by scripture first and then when we experience it through Christ in our walk in life with our Lord. God himself let's us know he's not sometimes loving, even when he's disciplining his children or taking vengeance. It's out of love because he is love.

[@PiRobot314]

@@sally9352 (To say that we know by "scripture" makes the assumption that scripture is authoritative, which I am not really sure of) Even if I grant that, there are times in scripture where God does not exemplify love. Granted, there are many times in scripture where God demonstrates love, and there are verses that claim that God is always loving. However, I don't think He is *consistent* in His love. 1 Corinthians 13 describes "love," so let's see if God meets the criteria: Patient: - Genesis 19:26 Lot's wife didn't even have a chance to think about what she had done - Leviticus 10:1-2 - Numbers 16:42-50 The Lord afflicted people so quickly after their complaints that in the time it took Aaron and Moses to make an atonement, 14700 people had gotten a plague - 2 Samuel 6:6-7 Uzzah didn't have time to explain himself Kind - 2 Samuel 24:10-15 Was it "kindness" that was showed to all of David's people who hadn't themselves committed the sin that David had? Not boastful - Job 38-41 After God boats extensively to Job, Job is humbled and says that he has spoken too loftily Not irritable - Exodus 4:24-26 ----- You also mention our walks in life, and I see much flourishing and also a significant amount of suffering. By that alone I have no reason to assume that God it's omnibenevolent when I could just say that God is sometimes loving because I experience flourishing and suffering both. (Unless I have a good reason to believe God is always loving)

[@sarahday5861]

It would be good for us to learn the fill English language. These words are a rich heritage that we should not abandon. Strech yourself and learn.

[@Yipper64]

16:58 I think that answers the old paradox "this sentence is false" Its a lie. As in, the premise of the sentence is false. Maybe idk.

[@blakeallen391]

Amen for the Tobey Maguire line lol 😆 totally agree. Best movies too.

[@Nunya1387]

Whether the question is coming from emotion or intellect the answer should be the same unless you’re manipulating them, right?

[@PiRobot314]

That's an interesting point. And that's one reason why I hesitate to use theodicies. If the philosophical answers consistently don't answer the questions of people who are actually struggling, maybe that is because they are just not great answers.

[@kenzboard]

due to the suffering and pain in the world outweighing good and pleasure buy a ridiculous magnitude… god, if it exists is either indifferent at best or sadistic at worse.

[@mystrength5640]

Prayers For Sam Harris, to Know and be Saved By Our Lord Jesus! Thank you , Sean, God is using you to remind us of His True worth! 🙏🏻

[@NI-pi2ne]

sam harris is honest and consistent. sean is not!

[@justintan1198]

👍

[@Fredtheunicorn-g8y]

Despite the annoying yelling, he doesn’t answer if there is a good God, why do children get cancer, suffer horribly and die?

[@oliverjamito9902]

What is increase? Nor increase given commands as intended! "i"

[@henrieecen2938]

Did Einstein also not say EVIL is simply the ABSENCE of GOD'S WILL. Profound!

[@Af2brecndwit]

Does God actually have the power to stop evil?

[@2pacaveli257]

Luficer works for God ! Biblical God allows suffering !

[@Pavlovsobaka]

If no god why good?

[@karolinaszczudlo9871]

27:23 yes, and that's the very issue which is dividing Christians - this whole arguments make sense, if one believes in free will , so God gives ppl chances to choose - but not everyone thinks that - Calvinism doesn't believe in free will- it's all predestined, God is always in control even in smallest things - so then all this argument lie in shatters and I love philosophies, but this is head wrecking question,- cause from predestination point of view - we have no choice and are only actors in God's play, so is God big goof just love to see drama unfolding for what reason? ( Teaching those actors? But they never had opportunity to even test those lessons, I really don't know) so what are the arguments if we take free will of the equation???

[@mrshmanckles1463]

Yes you can make a square circle sorry to burst your bubble. Take a cube which is square, then shave around it till you have on one plane a circle and the other a square. It's called a geometric shape.

[@user-ch4ex3yy4l]

You know what he means

[@PiRobot314]

I actually find the square-circle thing kind of funny because there actually is a framework of geometry called "Taxicab geometry" and with the rules of that geometry there actually is such a thing as a square circle. We should be careful about what we call logically impossible.

[@user-ch4ex3yy4l]

@@PiRobot314 You are reaching. It may be called a square circle but not in the sense that Sean meant. If you paint a square on a piece of paper and spin it really fast it may appear to be a circle but it is not. It's still a square. The circle is an illusion.

[@PiRobot314]

@@user-ch4ex3yy4lI get the point that my example is a stretch. But when we are talking about *logically impossible* my point is that is a really high standard and we need to be careful what we call impossible.

[@mrshmanckles1463]

I love sean and Christ but as soon as you say something is impossible the brains start trying it.@@user-ch4ex3yy4l

[@CalvinR90]

Ahhh let’s start naming evil things people do and add but god meant it for good and let’s see how long it takes to realize “oh… that doesn’t make sense”

[@russellmiles2861]

Let's added up the Evil God did according to the Bible. Perhaps start with Commandments in Exodus and the invocation to make girls sex slaves Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.

[@humbleebee]

Can't anymore agree with this... from my experience, it's like God's said to me: "I allowed you to suffer so you beg for salvation, I let you hit the ground so you can seek me and let me lifted you up to my embrace". That's how God saves me after 17 years of self-harming delusion and doubt, drought in my own "solutions," my selfishness and pride.. God uses evil (person, situations, treatment;) to sober me up to bring me back to Him... in my time of darkness, I open up my bible to a random chapter and land on Matthew 11... I read it verse by verse, and when I arrived on verse 28-30, I cried and said, " Jesus, I come to you, please help me. "... it's been 3 years now since I become a biblical christian, and now I can introduce Christ to my sons. Please pray for me and my children so we can be strong both in live and in our mission to grow in Christ🙏 thankyou Mr.Sean, you are one of my fav online pastors. Since we live in Indonesia, we can only follow your online ministry 🙏 It's been a blessing for me and my sons 🙏 May God bless you, your family, and your ministry. Amen

[@nanthilrodriguez]

God didn't allow you to suffer for you to beg for salvation. God is good and wants your salvation, it took you suffering in sin and evil long enough to realize that he is and has always been good, and wanted the good for you from the beginning.

[@ShiniGuraiJoker]

And yet, that "hurting" of non-believers is used to dismiss conversations all the time. Strange... CA Lewis conceded that he believes god is what brought moral and immoral action. Because he conceded this point does not make it an objective truth. He is leaning toward a theory he perceives as true. Nothing more. Evil is a word that has been watered down by calling normal non-Christian lives as immoral becuase your god claims it. Real evil is something to behold and leaves you in awe. Evil, immoral or bad things is a simple inverse of good, right and just. These concepts have a strange phenomenon that appear to be objective throughout all cultures. Where it comes from is in question. I have yet to find compelling reason to believe in the christian god again.

[@Mrs.CGraves]

Once GOD creates he can’t uncreate. It may be a Law HE created long ago, before the Earth was formed. When a balance is created and the negative side is causing pain or suffering people blame God instead of Satan the origin of the suffering. God is not a genie God will give us the tools to navigate thru it yet most. MOST reject the guidance. Because the pain or suffering is still there. God gave us Scripture. The instructions for a life. Not a perfect life, or an unblemished life, but a Life.. -and God also gave his Son and salvation. Trust in God and once you navigate thru the crisis we will be OK. It’s not totally possible to understand GODS divinity because we are Human.

[@johnhammond6423]

If God is all powerful and all loving then suffering would not exist. It really is that simple. Just saying trust in God is not an answer Mr McDowell, its a cop out. You say this is a problem for us atheists as well but of course its not. This world with all its suffering is exactly what you would expect if its the result of nature and the natural evolution of species.

[@curiousgeorge555]

I hear you to an extent. But then the atheist has to say that nothing created everything. Which is harder to believe? God is good but allows suffering for reasons we are not fully aware of or nothing created everything?

[@johnhammond6423]

@@curiousgeorge555 _'the atheist has to say that nothing created everything'_ No atheist says that. We have no idea how matter [everything] came into existance. Its one of the big unanswered questions in science. And why 'created' when a natural explanation seems far more likely seeing as we have evidence for the natural and no evidence for the supernatural. _'God is good but allows suffering for reasons we are not fully aware of'_ God works in mysterious ways. The 'get out of jail free card' for any argument for God.

[@curiousgeorge555]

​@@johnhammond6423 Give me a break. ALL atheists have to say that. I think your reasoning skills need some honing. There was a big bang. The universe had a beginning. It was either a creator or it created itself from nothing.

[@johnhammond6423]

@@curiousgeorge555 _'It was either a creator or it created itself from nothing'_ So who created the creator? Sorry but some theists just cant be reasoned with. They live in their own little world of make believe and they are not coming out for anyone. I will waist no more time on you my friend. Bye.

[@curiousgeorge555]

@@johnhammond6423 You're assuming that the creator was created. He exists eternaly. Any way you look at it something HAD to have always existed. The question is what is more reasonable. That matter and energy always existed or that an eternal spiritual being always existed. You're right though. Some people can't be reasoned with. I get the strong feeling that you are one of those people.

[@creatagheorghe9905]

When you kid chose Rong and risk to Die what you do out from Love?to wake up you kid!!!or you let you kid to die? .What the doctor do to save His patients ?

[@ardbegthequestion]

important reminder that the problem of evil is solely on why a god includes evil in its creation. To the non-believer, it's not surprising that the universe is a harsh and volatile place. Us not liking that, especially when bad stuff happens to us is all one can try to make this problem can leap out of theological conjecture.

[@russellmiles2861]

Oh isn't the problem that God does evil; like in the Bible he does wicked things, tell folk to do wicked things, and punishes those who are kind. That is the problem of evil that Aplogiticist are won't to avoid.

[@simonodowd2119]

There is no logical contradiction in God creating creatures that freely choose to worship and love Him. If you don't think God can do that, I'd love to learn your definition of omnipotent.

[@kevinkelly2162]

Only if you have no clue what free means. If I said to you make me a cup of tea or I will pour the boiling water over you, is that free will? It is your god.

[@simonodowd2119]

@@kevinkelly2162 you may be a little confused: - My comment is a critique of the argument Sean McDowell raised against the problem of evil, it is not a defense of any theistic model - My comment is not about what God has done, it is about what God can do hypothetically - I don't have a God-belief, so saying something is "your god" to me is missing the mark.

[@russellmiles2861]

What about God telling folk to be wicked ... Is god concerned that if left alone well be nice to each other

[@gamecrusher2024]

Has anyone read the Old Testament, and how evil God was? Just asking!

[@EmilyTodicescu]

7:42 Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it 🧊

[@BigIdeaSeeker]

I love that Sean says Christians should just be present and listen to others because far too often they are obnoxious and argumentative. But I find it interesting that Sean says (20:30) that if some of the atrocities happening in the Middle East are not evil, you need a new world view, because that’s exactly what is did (left Christianity) when I discovered all the horrific and monstrous things God does in the OT. There may be a god on whom morality is based, but it can’t be the monster of the OT. More strange- that Christians bend over backwards to justify, excuse, or explain away God’s horrors. And yet they still maintain the moral high ground. Christians, just listen. We have good reasons to not believe.

[@kevinkelly2162]

What right thinking person would worship a being that had bears eat 42 children for calling some old man baldy?

[@abrahamphilip6439]

" I create good & I create evil , Choose good " to the quearion why evil ? What was the mistake of the first parents ? If you cannot answer this basic question no point in preaching on the subject ?

[@georgeblevins3391]

It is called the narrow way. The Lord said I wound I heal I kill I make alive. He is God we are not.

[@PiRobot314]

Ok, but that's not loving. Love does not rejoice in iniquity. Love bears the burdens of others, not creates them

[@georgeblevins3391]

@@PiRobot314 this is love AGAPE that we walk after the commandments of God. No questions asked. No free will , it is all God's will . If we like it or not .

[@PiRobot314]

@@georgeblevins3391 So if I ask a question, is that God talking to Himself? Since even my asking a question is God's will. That's a funny thought.

[@copernicus99]

Many religionists want to believe that God is good. Who wouldn't? But their belief is just a reflection of their desire. That does not equate to it being true. If you really want to believe in a God, it makes a whole lot more sense to just bite the bullet and say that God is morally indifferent (if not a sadist), because that is pretty much what so called 'Acts of God' would suggest.

[@milanterzic859]

The problem of evil cannot be understood in flippancy.

[@ronaldlindeman6136]

@@milanterzic859 The real question is not 'Why is there Evil.' The real question is 'Why is Jesus of Christianity so Evil.' Jesus of Christianity could have told humans about natural ways to prevent diseases and illnesses. Sanitation, cleanliness, sterilization, inoculation, medications, etc.. So Jesus could do the supernatural, heal people with the supernatural, Resurrect himself with the supernatural. Just like Superman can fly thru the air with the supernatural, just like Spiderman can fly from building to building with his supernatural spider webs. Just like Luke Skywalker can destroy the Death Star with his supernatural timing of the bomb. If Jesus cared about humans, Jesus would have told humans about the natural ways to prevent illnesses and diseases. Because Jesus can do the supernatural does not mean Jesus of Christianity is a God, but means Jesus of Christianity is a supernatural superhero, just like other supernatural superheroes in human created stories.

[@milanterzic859]

@@ronaldlindeman6136 The prime mission of Jesus was to save mankind for eternity. Where there is no disease, death or sin. Even if He gave us the fountain of youth it would do no good because an addition requirement for eternity that is the mind of Christ. The undying worldling on Earth would run out of things to do and want to die. It would also be a disaster to our planet. 99.99% miss the main point of Noah's flood. Here men lived for 1000 years and it ended badly.

[@Romans1136.]

Ready? Sin. This is a broken world. However Christianity says God knows and sees our suffering. He cares for those who are his . Go read the book of Job. Specifically Job 1 and then 37-38. It makes sense.

[@jonathanbrewster7823]

Great lecture here. I don’t think the deepest reason for evil & suffering was discussed though. Love. Genuine love with God is ultimately why both evil and suffering exist. Evil, free will. Cannot have genuine love without free will. Suffering makes possible unconditional love. Cannot have genuine love if there are conditions to that love. Genuine love with God is the ultimate answer to any question that can be asked including evil & suffering.

[@karolinaszczudlo9871]

I agree, but in Christianity not everyone believe in free will, like Calvinists - sovereignty of God makes everything predestined and if God is sovereign that he's in control of everything - then this whole argument crumbling, and God looks like good playing drama with human actors, for what reason, I don't know, maybe entertainment - I wish this discussion be much deeper, this was more like promo show for tickling ears....

[@terry1892]

God also created evil angels. Psalms 78 : 49 kjv

[@PiRobot314]

God may have used evil angels as henchmen, but don't worry, He was also willing to do the dirty work himself (verse 31-32) (Notice that the "sin" mentioned is in not believing His wondrous works. Is God Arrogant much?)

[@oliverjamito9902]

What is a conversations given? Students bring in front! All thy FEET like Who's FEET?

[@GhostBearCommander]

Humans: “If God, why evil?” Also humans: *guilty for the vast majority of evil. God: *Justly punishes them. Humans: *Surprised Pikachu Face

[@ManoverSuperman]

Sure, so blame the creation for the Creator’s design. How logical lol

[@GhostBearCommander]

Remember, humans within creation were designed to act autonomously with their own free will and responsibility. It is perfectly rational to blame creation for going against its Creator if it acts freely rebellious.

[@dominiqueubersfeld2282]

If God, why Donald Trump?

[@eagle7086]

Here we go

[@Romans1136.]

Judgment. God causes kings to rise and fall

[@eagle7086]

@@user-ch4ex3yy4l Donald Trump isn't evil, relax

[@eagle7086]

@@user-ch4ex3yy4l We all are lol.

[@eagle7086]

@@user-ch4ex3yy4l Jesus' enemies were those who spent their lives focused on everyone else's sins instead of their own.

[@xStrayMongrelx]

These common themes throughout the Bible exist in a binary dichotomy: Darkness is not the Opposite of Light; it is the Absence of Light Death is not the Opposite of Life; it is the Absence of Life Lying is not the Opposite of Truth; it is the Absence of Truth Evil is not the Opposite of Good; it is the Absence of Good Hate is not the Opposite of Love; it is the Absence of Love Dry is not the Opposite of Wet; it is the Absence of Water Chaos is not the Opposite of Order; it is the Absence of Order If a scale has one of each item on opposing sides, one side has substance and weight, the other side is empty. The "power of darkness" is an oxymoron. It has neither power nor substance. It is a void, defined by the Absence of matter. You can say that you have a "hole" in your yard, and speak of it as a tangible "thing" that exists; but in reality it is simply a part of your yard that is missing.

[@ManoverSuperman]

Jesus affirmed that darkness had power in Luke. Your theory is false.

[@xStrayMongrelx]

@@ManoverSuperman ἐξουσία τοῦ σκότους does not refer to magical ability, but to authority. This should be clear based on who he says this to, the same people he has spent his entire ministry berating for their abuse of authority. Darkness has no ability to do the things God does. They can't make the wind blow, slam doors shut, rattle chains, or knock things off tables. The only thing Darkness can do is Lie to you. They have no magical power to manipulate time and space.

[@rickdavies4801]

To be totally honest no one knows if god is real or not those who say they know are lying it is that simple please don't try to decive people you don't have a clue either if you're honest? Are you???

[@PiRobot314]

I wonder if morality is more like the tallness of a building than the straightness of a line. C. S. Lewis used the example of how we determine the straightness of a line by comparing it to a perfect ideal of a straight line. I am not sure morality works like this. I think morality is more like the height of a building. We keep trying to find ways to help each other succeed and flourish and we have not achieved perfection yet. I am not even sure there is such a thing as perfection. Perhaps no matter how good we get, we will always be able to improve and get better. Just like no matter how high we build a building we could always build a higher one

[@OnisticScholar]

Innocent children die of cancer every day. You seem to be saying that this somehow serves some sort of higher purpose by teaching us a lesson, and therefore, God is good even though bad stuff happens. If that’s what you’re saying, that doesn’t sound very good to me. It seems to me that a good God wouldn’t inflict harm on someone innocent in order to reach someone who is guilty. Even if God is going to let someone else suffer for us, there is no reason the suffering must be as dreadful as cancer. As an all-powerful being, he has plenty of other options available.

[@nanthilrodriguez]

You seem to suppose that it is God doing the inflicting. Where do you get that? How is it any different to suggest that God created good, and his creations willfully rejected the good, and evil is the byproduct of our own actions? Not punishment, but just the natural aftermath, the result of our rejection of perfection is that we are evil and by our evil, evil continues to exist. Sounds a lot to me that the sickness and pain and suffering is our own doing... and God CAN work good through that evil despite our rejection of the good.

[@davidallison9499]

You raise a heart felt and logical argument. As a Christian my response is I don’t know why God allows innocent children to die. Two thoughts (1) there are many things I do not understand about God’s ways. Just because I do not understand the reason for suffering does not rule out that there is a purpose for the suffering (2) Christianity is the only religion in the world where God suffers - Christ who was God suffered death unfairly. This helps me during difficult times - knowing God suffered. Pain sucks!

[@wshurricanes]

@@davidallison9499just an fyi, as a fellow Christian I wouldn’t say there’s anyone that’s innocent. David says he was born into sin (Psalm 51:5). Add to that, that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Roman’s 3:23 and 5:12). But I completely agree with your statement.

[@WillyOrca]

If tomorrow you woke up in a place where you'd remain for eternity, how much would anything "bad" from this life matter? And for how long? You're essentially critiquing an omnipotent creator's methodology because you're incapable of conceptualizing eternity. Your logic here is similar to a child believing the dentist is evil because he makes their teeth hurt.

[@Little_Muskrat13]

You forgot about one main fact. None of us , none of us are innocent. We are all born tainted with original sin. Ever see a toddler throw a tantrum ? They are displaying their anger. All mankind is born and enemy of God. We each need new, clean, hearts, just like Jesus told His apostles. ✝️👍🇺🇸

[@joshuawoodin]

Weird to hear the Charles Darwin thing, I have heard alot that Darwin was partially psychopathic as he tortured animals, so its hard to imagine him objecting to a God based on suffering he is causing.

[@rosyneufeld1024]

Aren’t miracles logically impossible? Yet God does them.

[@nick_castelli]

miracles are events that defy the laws of physics, not defying logic. I’d say the problem of evil and miracles are two separate issues in that sense

[@les2997]

The claim "evil should not exist" is an incoherent statement on naturalism.

[@simonodowd2119]

That's because there's an implicit "under theism" on that statement, it's called an internal critique.

[@les2997]

@@simonodowd2119 The "internal" critique makes external assumptions.

[@simonodowd2119]

@@les2997 exactly, it adopts the assumptions of the worldview it is critiquing; I don't understand what the problem is....

[@les2997]

​@@simonodowd2119 Evil is evidence for God. Nature is neither good nor bad. Nature is indifferent. Therefore, this internal critique presupposes a universe with God in it, which is what it is supposed to refute.

[@simonodowd2119]

@@les2997 that's what an internal critique is, that's a feature, not a bug. The world doesn't *actually* have to have evil in it, for "evil" to be a problem. It goes like this. 1. If the Christian God exists, there is no gratuitous evil 2. There is gratuitous evil 3. The Christian God does not exist. Naturalism is not a factor in the argument.

[@simplicityinthecomplexity6988]

I do disagree with the underlying reasoning of the answer he gives concerning the primes. Can God make a rock he cannot left? That depends on the parameters/laws/rules that God chooses to use that allows for this to be a yes answer. The next is Can God square a circle or circle a square is still dependent on the parameters/laws/rules that God chooses to use that allows for this to be an answer of yes. The first one I would answer in this manner if God creates a infinitely large physical space and creates the physical rock to fill that space then there would not be a space in which God could take on a physical form to be able to left that rock. For the second primes about circle a square I would answer with this if the ink that is used to shape the square can be moved then the same volume of ink can be moved from the shape of a square to the shape of a circle. Sense God created the underlying laws that keeps me from moving the ink then God can choose to change those rules so the ink can be moved without using any other ink.

[@toni4729]

I'm just hearing a lot of noise. He thinks it's logical, I don't.

[@gabrielleangelica1977]

Stop blaming God for all your problems, blame man! What did you learn from your suffering?

[@russellmiles2861]

That it is raining I best bring an umbrella. Why what did you learn

[@zbdbz]

Seriously? Sean, you're better than this. As for the old evil = because free will wheeze, let me rephrase it: because it's more fun for God that way. What the handwritten fuck. This is so weak.

[@russellmiles2861]

according to Bible commits various wicked acts; drowning almost all humanity, slowly killing Bussaba's, Amalek, and Canaanite infants, burning to death babies at Sodom, ripping the unborn from their mother's womb, killing the Firstborn... I'm sure you know this usual list. So the answer is this suits God's purpose. Why worship such a deity ... is it fear, you crave immortality, or do you love god? I assume the latter. Do you really expect other folk to share this devotion? Where is your Honour and self-respect? I have never blamed God for the death of my son, wife and best friend at too young an age. I don't blame anyone

[@Af2brecndwit]

There is evil because God allowed choice. Tragedy was not the reason Lucifer fell. The only thing he couldn’t be was God. And he rose up against God. Evil is to be other than God.

[@daleproctor3723]

"There is evil because God allowed choice." So with your god it's the free will choice of the evil doers that gets priority over the free will choice of the victims who would prefer not to be victimized. That is messed up. If the free will choice of evil doers really was so important to your god there is a way around that and still prevent victims from being harmed>>imagine there is a man about to harm a child>>your god could put a force field around the child to protect him/her from harm and still preserve the precious free will choice of the evil doer.

[@raycrossley5398]

Well the devil in charge of the earth that help

[@oscargr_]

Come on Sean.. you *KNOW* that's not "the problem of evil" Evil is a problem, but its not "the problem of evil"

[@GODSGIRL-7]

You can’t leave the faith of your truly born again you can reject Christ, and all he stands for and that’s what send you to hell but you cannot turn from your faith. You were never his in the in the first time in the first place, you never belong to him in the first place.

[@oliverjamito9902]

Little "i" what is Offsprings preserve instead of offerings PERISH in front? Keep watch!