The God-Shaped Hole!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The Problem of Evil

“Is God willing, but not able, to prevent evil?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both willing and able?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither willing nor able?...Then why call him God?"
Epicurus


The prevention of evil events would require the prevention of evil choices. Direct prevention of any choice would befoul choice. Choice is the image of God; animals cannot choose, nor can computers; neither can be tried in a court of law.

Indirect prevention of evil choices is more difficult; it requires a person to agree to not choose evilly. There is one simple (though impossible) workaround: to have everyone love everyone else, and so eliminate evil.

One of the benefits of accepting Jesus' sacrifice is that God Himself inhabits your heart, reminding you to love others; strangers and enemies become as valued as next-door neighbors, and all believers become brothers and sisters.

God is amazing. However, He will not force you to love Him or others; He will not rape you. You must accept His proposal before He will deal with you in this way.

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