Church on 99 - Squamish BC

<b>HOME</b> <b>MINISTRIES</b> Women\'s Ministry Men\'s Ministry King\'s Daughters Women\'s Conference Youth and Young Adult Ministry King\'s Kids Children\'s Ministry Nursery Music Prayer Ministry Small Groups Project Love <b>ABOUT US</b> Beliefs History Core Values Leadership Directory <b>EVENTS</b> <b>AUDIO</b> <b>DIRECTIONS</b> <b>VISITORS</b> <b>MISSIONS</b> <b>PASTOR\'S Q & A BLOG</b> <b>ONLINE GIVING</b>

If God exists why is there evil? Posted on July 05 2011 Question: Tue, July 05, 2011 How can God exist when there is so much evil and pain in the world? Answer: This answer is provided by Michael Brown: First, we must understand that God did not create the world evil. The Bible reveals to us that God made all things good. He created humans in true righteousness and holiness. He crowned them with glory and honor and gave them dominion over the works of his hands. Violence, sorrow, and death were not part of man's original experience; he only knew the blessing of life in God's good earth. It was not until Adam sinned against God and broke the covenant into which he was placed that the horror of evil, pain, and death came to be a regular part of existence in this world. As a result of the fall, God could have judged the world immediately and plunged all of mankind into the eternal punishment we rightly deserve. It is only because of his great grace that he chose to redeem a people out of this fallen and dark world. That is why this age of suffering continues: God is gathering in his elect until the Last Day. We have the confidence that God is in fact doing this because he sent Christ his Son "who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age" (Gal. 1:4a). Second, we must understand that while this present evil age continues, God oversees all things by his providence, that is, his constant interaction and intervention with the world he has made. He not only preserves his creatures, but is directing everything to its appointed end, "work[ing] all things according to the counsel of his will" (Eph. 1:11b). He even uses the evil acts of men for his own purpose and glory. Yet, he does so while remaining free from and the just judge of evil. It is this understanding of providence that led Joseph to declare to his brothers who sinned against him: "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Gen. 50:20a). What this shows us is that God is both good and sovereign. We are comforted to know that he is always in control and that, as the Heidelberg Catechism puts it, "whatever evil he sends upon me in this vale of tears he will turn to my good; for he is able to do, being Almighty God, and willing also, being a faithful Father" (Q. 26). Finally, we must understand that the story is not over. Just as this world was once free from evil and pain in the beginning, so shall it be again when the King returns. Paradise lost will be paradise restored, only infinitely greater. This universe will be resurrected to fit the glory of the age to come-an age in which God has promised to dwell with his people and forever keep them from pain, suffering, and evil. As we read in the final chapters of the Bible: "He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:3b-4). Tags: Depravity of man - Evil - Redemption		Tags Election Resurrection Death Spiritual Growth Godhead Bible Divinity Second Coming Depravity of man Trinity Sinning saints Redemption Spiritual Appetite God of Israel God's blessing Hell The human will Commercialism Divine Judgment Most recent entries Struggling with the “Trinity” Is there one God or many; one Lord or many? When the redeemed sin and God still blesses If God exists why is there evil? Pre-Tribulation Rapture nonsense Should I be concerned if I don’t read the Bible? What happens when you die? Death of children Human ability vs. Divine election Most Popular Questions Human ability vs. Divine election (880 views) Death of children (790 views) Pre-Tribulation Rapture nonsense (609 views) What happens when you die? (556 views) When the redeemed sin and God still blesses (532 views)