Next time they say "God is evil", say THIS | John Lennox

Summary

This video script explores the age-old question of why evil exists in a world that some believe to be created by an all-powerful and benevolent God. It features a passionate argument by Stephen Fry, questioning God's goodness in the face of suffering, particularly childhood diseases like bone cancer. The video then presents Dr. John Lennox's perspective, suggesting that atheism fails to address the problem of evil and suffering, and instead offers a view of Christianity where God, through Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, is not distant from human suffering but part of the solution, offering hope for ultimate justice and an end to evil.

Takeaways

• 😔 The script discusses the problem of evil in the world and how it challenges the belief in an all-good, all-powerful God.
• 🤔 It presents the argument that philosophical discussions about God's nature often leave people unsatisfied, especially in the face of suffering and evil.
• 🎬 The video features a clip of Stephen Fry expressing his anger towards God for allowing suffering, particularly in children, and questioning the nature of such a deity.
• 👨‍🏫 Dr. John Lennox of Oxford University is introduced to provide a response to the problem of evil, suggesting that atheism does not offer a satisfactory solution to suffering.
• 🌍 Dr. Lennox emphasizes the difficulty of the problem of evil and the need for a deeper understanding beyond atheism's surface-level dismissal of the issue.
• 🙏 The Christian perspective presented suggests that God is not distant from human suffering but has entered into it through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• ✝️ The cross of Jesus is highlighted as evidence that God has not remained detached from the problem of human suffering but has participated in it.
• 🕊️ The resurrection of Jesus is presented as a sign of hope that justice will ultimately be served and that God will rectify the problem of evil.
• 🤨 The script addresses the atheist paradox, which points out that recognizing evil implies a moral standard and thus a moral lawgiver, suggesting the existence of God.
• 💭 It challenges common atheistic positions on the nature of good and evil, arguing that without a transcendent source, there can be no objective good or evil.
• 💔 The speaker acknowledges the personal struggle with the problem of evil and the limitations of Christianity in providing complete answers to life's tragedies.
• 🌟 The video concludes with an invitation to join a community for further discussion on these topics, emphasizing the importance of seeking God and understanding His nature through Jesus Christ.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented by the person questioning the existence of God due to the presence of evil in the world?

The main argument is that if God is all-powerful and all-good, the existence of evil and suffering, such as diseases like bone cancer in children, is incompatible with such a deity, suggesting that either God does not exist or is not all-good as traditionally conceived.

According to the script, what does the atheistic perspective offer as a solution to the problem of evil?

Atheism superficially offers the solution that the world simply is as it is, without a divine plan or purpose. However, it does not remove the pain and suffering, nor does it provide hope or a moral framework for understanding why evil exists.

What is the 'atheist paradox' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to the problem of evil?

The 'atheist paradox' refers to the fact that by acknowledging the existence of evil, atheists implicitly recognize a moral standard by which actions or events are judged as evil. This suggests the existence of a moral order and a lawgiver, pointing to the existence of God.

How does Dr. John Lennox respond to the argument that God could have created a world without suffering or evil?

Dr. Lennox argues that a world without the capacity for evil would also be a world without the capacity for good, essentially a robotic world without humans. He suggests that evil is the flip side of the capacity to do good, and that God's involvement in human suffering through the cross of Jesus Christ shows that God is not distant from the problem of suffering.

What is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the context of the problem of evil?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian belief that ultimately justice will be done. It provides hope that God will rectify the problem of evil and suffering, and that there is a future where evil will be eradicated and all things will be made new.

What is the role of the cross in Christianity in relation to the problem of human suffering?

The cross represents God's identification with human suffering through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It signifies that God has not remained distant from the problem of suffering but has become part of it, offering a unique perspective on the nature of God's involvement with humanity.

How does the script address the atheistic position that moral values are relative and not objective?

The script challenges this position by arguing that if moral values are relative, then the concept of evil is erased, and there is no basis for calling anything evil or for being angry at God. It suggests that the ability to recognize evil implies the existence of a moral law and a lawgiver.

What is the 'circular argument' mentioned in the script regarding the existence of good and evil independent of God?

The 'circular argument' refers to the claim that good and evil can exist independently of God, often grounded in well-being or human flourishing. The problem with this is that it assumes well-being is inherently good, which itself needs to be explained in a Godless framework, thus begging the question of what makes well-being an objective good.

What does the script suggest as a personal response to the problem of evil?

The script suggests that being a Christian does not provide a magical answer to every question or fully explain every event, but it does offer a response to the problem of evil that includes the recognition of God's involvement in human suffering and the hope for ultimate justice and the eradication of evil.

What is the purpose of the 'Wisdom Society' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to the discussion on the problem of evil?

The Wisdom Society is a community of believers who meet to discuss difficult topics like the problem of evil. It aims to foster growth and deeper understanding through engagement with experts and authors, providing a supportive environment for exploring these complex issues.