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.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 The Problem of Evil and God's Existence

This paragraph discusses the philosophical and emotional struggle with the existence of evil in a world that some believe to be created by an all-powerful and all-good God. It introduces the video's main theme: the question of why evil exists and whether it negates the existence of a benevolent deity. The speaker references the emotional response of actor Stephen Fry, who challenges the idea of a just God in the face of suffering, particularly the innocent suffering of children. The paragraph sets the stage for an exploration of this issue from both intellectual and emotional perspectives, promising to delve into the views of Dr. John Lennox of Oxford University for a more nuanced understanding.

05:01

😔 Atheism's Insufficient Answer to Suffering

The second paragraph delves into the perceived inadequacy of atheism in addressing the problem of evil. It acknowledges that while atheism may superficially seem to dismiss the issue by stating that the world simply is as it is, it fails to account for the deep pain and suffering experienced by individuals. The speaker, Dr. John Lennox, shares his personal encounters with people in distress, seeking answers to why they suffer. He argues that atheism does not offer hope or a resolution to the problem of evil, and instead, Christianity provides a more comprehensive response, suggesting that God is not distant from human suffering but has entered into it through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The paragraph also touches on the atheist paradox, which posits that the recognition of evil implies a moral standard, thus pointing towards a moral lawgiver, or God.

10:02

🙏 Christianity's Response to the Problem of Evil

In the final paragraph, the speaker emphasizes Christianity's直面 approach to the problem of evil, asserting that God is not absent in our suffering but has offered a solution through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The speaker invites viewers to consider the promise of forgiveness for our part in contributing to evil, the ultimate serving of justice, and the hope for a future where evil is eradicated. The paragraph also addresses the personal level, admitting that being a Christian does not provide all answers but offers a way to encounter a living God who cares for us and can transform our suffering. The speaker encourages viewers to bring their questions and objections to God, suggesting that faith can lead to joy and wonder. The paragraph concludes with an invitation to join the Wisdom Society for further discussion on these difficult topics.

Keywords

💡Splendid

The term 'splendid' is used to describe something as being exceptionally beautiful or impressive. In the context of the video, it is juxtaposed with the existence of evil and suffering in the world, highlighting the paradox of a world that is both beautiful and filled with pain.

💡Insects

Insects in the script symbolize the natural world's indifference to human suffering. The script mentions insects that burrow into children's eyes, causing blindness, to illustrate the harsh reality of nature's sometimes cruel mechanisms, which are at odds with the concept of a benevolent creator.

💡Evil

Evil is a central theme in the video, referring to morally wicked acts or conditions. The script discusses the problem of evil as a primary reason for disbelief in God, questioning why a benevolent deity would allow suffering and evil to exist.

💡God

God is a pivotal concept in the video, representing the divine being in various religious beliefs. The script explores the theological problem of evil, questioning the nature of God in light of the world's suffering and the presence of evil.

💡Suffering

Suffering is a key concept in the video, denoting the physical or emotional pain experienced by individuals. The script uses suffering to challenge the idea of an all-powerful, all-good God, as it raises questions about divine justice and compassion.

💡Atheism

Atheism is the absence of belief in the existence of God or gods. The video discusses atheism as a response to the problem of evil, suggesting that some people reject the idea of God due to the presence of suffering and evil in the world.

💡Beauty

Beauty in the script is contrasted with 'barbed wire,' symbolizing the coexistence of good and evil in the world. It is used to represent the positive aspects of creation that are often overshadowed by the presence of suffering and evil.

💡Barbed Wire

Barbed wire serves as a metaphor for the harsh realities and painful experiences in life. It is used in conjunction with 'beauty' to illustrate the mixed nature of existence, where both positive and negative aspects coexist.

💡Justice

Justice in the video refers to the concept of fairness and the idea that wrongs will be righted. It is presented as a central aspect of Christian belief, suggesting that God will ultimately address the problem of evil and suffering through justice.

💡Resurrection

Resurrection is a key Christian doctrine, signifying the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead. In the script, it is mentioned as evidence for the truth of Christianity and as a symbol of hope that justice and the eradication of evil will be achieved.

💡Moral Law

Moral law refers to the principles of right and wrong conduct. The video suggests that the recognition of evil implies the existence of a moral order, which in turn implies a lawgiver, or God, who is the source of this moral law.

💡Paradox

Paradox is used in the script to describe the conflicting ideas or statements that seem contrary to common sense but may be true. The 'atheist paradox' mentioned in the video refers to the contradiction inherent in atheists recognizing evil while denying a moral standard set by a higher power.

💡Hope

Hope is presented as a vital element in the video, offering a sense of expectation and desire for a better future. It is associated with the Christian belief in the ultimate triumph of good over evil and the promise of a new creation free from suffering.

Highlights

The world contains both beauty and suffering, with the problem of evil being a significant barrier to belief in God.

Stephen Fry's challenge to God about the existence of suffering, particularly in children, and his view that such a God deserves no respect.

The philosophical argument about God's omnipotence and benevolence, and the dissatisfaction with these arguments in light of the world's evils.

Dr. John Lennox's response to the problem of evil, emphasizing the difficulty of the issue and the inadequacy of atheism in providing comfort.

Atheism's inability to remove the pain and suffering from the world, despite its claim that the world just is as it is.

The importance of the cross in Christianity as a symbol of God's involvement in human suffering.

The resurrection of Jesus as evidence for the hope of ultimate justice and resolution of the problem of evil.

The atheist paradox, which recognizes a moral standard by which evil is judged, implicitly pointing to a moral law and a lawgiver.

The challenge of defining good and evil independently of God, and the circular argument that arises from trying to do so within a materialistic framework.

Christianity's approach to the problem of evil, which does not ignore suffering but offers a response through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The promise of forgiveness for our contributions to the problem of evil and the hope for ultimate justice in Christianity.

The invitation to bring questions and objections about God and suffering to Him, with the belief that He can provide answers and comfort.

The mission of the channel to help people encounter the living God and understand His nature and character through Jesus Christ.

The offer to join the Wisdom Society, a community for believers to discuss difficult topics and grow in understanding.

The acknowledgment that Christianity does not provide a complete explanation for every event in life but offers a hope and a response to suffering.

The call to action for viewers to engage with the content and consider the Christian perspective on the problem of evil.

Transcripts

yes the world is very Splendid but it

also has in it insects whose whole life

cycle is to burrow into the eyes of

children and make them blind the problem

with our world is that we can argue

about God being all good all powerful

and if he was this he could do that and

none of us has ever been satisfied with

that kind of an argument as I think you

were essentially pointing out and that's

because when we've done all the

philosophical arguing we're presented

with two things that I call Beauty and

barbed wire the video that we're about

to watch hits on probably the biggest

reason that people don't believe in God

it's because we've all suffered it's

because we've all faced evil in some way

the question is why the even bigger

question is if God exists then why is

there evil in this world in this video

I'm going to answer this question from

both an intellectual and emotional level

we're going to begin with a clip of

stepen fry who you're probably familiar

with then stick around pleased to hear

Dr John Linux of Oxford University as he

responds to the objection that is raised

you need both parts in order for this to

really make sense so let's dive in

suppose it's all true and you walk up to

the Pearly Gates and you are confronted

by God what will Steven fry say to him

her or it I will basically what's known

as The Odyssey I think I I'll say bone

cancer in children what's that about how

dare you how dare you create a world in

which there is such misery that is not

our fault it's it's not right it's

utterly utterly evil why should I

respect a capricious mean-minded stupid

God who creates a world which is so full

of Injustice and

pain that's what I would say and you

think you're going to get in no but I

wouldn't want to I wouldn't want to get

in on his terms they're wrong now if I

died and it was it was Pluto Hades and

if it was the 12 Greek gods then I would

have more truck with it because the

Greeks were

they didn't pretend not to be human in

their appetites and in their

capriciousness and in their

unreasonableness they didn't present

themselves as being allseen all wise all

kind all beneficent because the God who

created this universe if it was created

by God is quite clearly a maniac utter

Maniac totally selfish totally we have

to spend our life on our knce thanking

him what kind of God would do that yes

the world is very Splendid but it also

has it insects whose whole life cycle is

to burrow into the eyes of children and

make them blind that eat outwards from

the

eyes why why did you do that to us you

could easily have made a creation in

which that didn't exist it is simply not

acceptable so you know atheism is not

just about not believing there is a is

not believing there's a God but on the

Assumption there is one what kind of God

is he it's perfectly apparent that he is

monstrous utterly monstrous and deserves

no respect whatsoever the moment you

banish him your life becomes simpler

purer cleaner more worth living in my

opinion that sure is the longest answer

to that question that I ever got in this

entire series let me just say to begin

with that I totally understand why

Steven's sentiments resonate with so

many people if an all powerful God made

the world would that not make God as

stated by St fry utterly evil Steven

instead chooses rather than believing in

that to believe that things simply are

as they are the world just is as it is

but at the same time he seems very angry

about it and he seems angry at God for

it so the question becomes does this

response in the face of evil actually

make sense and does it actually take us

anywhere in other words does it actually

solve the problem of evil in order to

answer this question let's go to John

Linux now I'll let him take it away

around the world I find these days and

it's very interesting even this week

I've been asked to speak on the problem

of evil twice out of

four because I find that people are

hurting they're looking for

answers and they find their friends

suffering either with a natural

catastrophe like a brain

tumor or they're raped or they're abused

in some way and they're desperately

trying to come to terms with it I find

it a very hard problem it's the hardest

problem I face and I do not think

atheism soles it except in a fairly

trivial way it says well that's just how

the world is but you see what atheism

doesn't do is it doesn't remove the pain

and the

suffering and I'm faced very often with

people who've just been given a few

weeks to live or months to live and they

want answers they want to put this into

a big picture and I can understand that

and if I didn't feel there was any way

into this question I wouldn't sit here

for a

millisecond I wouldn't sit here for a

millisecond because my heart really goes

out to people who are on the rough end

of suffering and the problem with our

world is that we can argue about God

being all good all powerful and if he

was this he could do that and none of us

has ever been satisfied with that kind

of an argument as I think you were

essentially pointing out and that's

because when we've done all the

philosophical arguing we're presented

with two things that I called Beauty and

barbed

wire we're presented with a mixed World

in a mixed

picture and we have to try to make sense

of

it now I would claim that atheism

superficially appears to have a solution

but deep down has no solution because it

leaves the Suffering The Suffering

doesn't go away but it removes all hope

and to come as rapidly as I can to the

point because I think this is a huge

question and deserves a lengthy time

devoted to it I arrived in Christ Church

New Zealand two days after the

earthquake I had to meet people who'

lost their husbands or their wives and

every interview I did on radio and

television was earthquakes why and

that's a very difficult question because

earthquakes are necessary for the

preservation of human life and when you

factor that in there comes a huge

question could God not have made a world

in which this kind of thing doesn't

happen couldn't he have made a world in

which human beings don't do these awful

things to one another well the answer to

the latter question is of course he

could we can make such worlds they're

called robotic worlds but they're no

humans in

them we're wishing ourselves out of

existence if we say could God not have

made a world in which people are

incapable of doing evil because evil is

the flip side of the capacity to do good

and so the Deep question for me is this

granted that there's Beauty in barbed

wire is there any evidence anywhere in

the universe that there is a God who

could be trusted with it and my very

brief

answer um Betsy to that is this that at

the heart of

Christianity there is a cross and

whatever that tells you if the central

claim of Christianity is correct that

Jesus is God incarnate then that's God

on a cross

and I asked myself the question what's

God doing on a cross well one thing it

tells you is that God has not remained

distant from the problem of human

suffering but has himself become part of

it now if that were the end of the story

I would have nowhere to go but it's not

the end of the story the central

evidence for the truth of Christianity

is the resurrection of Jesus from the

dead and that opens up the huge

possibility that ultimately Justice is

going to be done and when we're talking

about ethics and

morality this to my mind is the most

important factor in the situation that

Justice is going to be done and I put it

to Richard Dawkins uh that just is the

first thing that comes into my head and

he said well I fight for justice in this

life I said so do I but Richard you've

no ultimate hope of justice so that the

vast majority of people who've ever

lived never adjust Us in this life and

there's no future existence for them to

get Justice in so they're never going to

get Justice and their Cry For Justice

from the gas chambers of out shets or

anywhere else is proved to be an

illusion I simply don't believe

that and I believe there's evidence that

the contrary is to there is a God who

will ultimately do fairness so I think

that's not a solution to the problem of

evil but I believe it's a powerful way

in because I've seen it change lives and

give people hope this is the atheist

Paradox presented in this video by

acknowledging the existence of evil

atheists implicitly recognize a moral

standard by which actions or events are

judged as evil in other words to call

something evil you must have an idea of

what is good so the fact that we can

actually recognize evil when we see it

points to God because in order to be

able to recognize evil it's suggests

that there is a moral order it suggests

that there is a moral law and therefore

a source for that law a lawgiver now to

address this Paradox atheists might

adopt one of the following positions you

might hear that moral values are

relative but not objective but this

undermines the argument from Evil

because it erases the concept of evil so

if there isn't really evil then what are

we even talking about what is Step even

mad at God for and so on second you

might hear that good and evil can exist

independently of God that's also popular

on the internet that perhaps they're

grounded in well-being or human

flourishing but there's a problem with

this approach as well and that is that

it assumes that well-being is inherently

a good thing and good is precisely what

needs to be explained in a Godless

framework so declaring that human

flourishing is a moral good presupposes

a standard of good that materialism

cannot explain in other words if

well-being is considered good one must

ask why is it good what makes well-being

an objective good rather than just a

preference without a Transcendent Source

there is no moral law there's no real

good or evil and thus there's no basis

for declaring well being or human

flourishing as objectively good or

calling it good so I hope you guys can

see how this remains a

circular argument it's putting the cart

before the horse I hope you can see how

this is actually self refuting at an

intellectual level now at a more

personal level I will fully admit that

being a Christian doesn't magically give

someone an answer to every question or

fully explain everything that happens in

life some things that happen on this

planet really are horrible and I would

never want to gloss over that or to

relativize evil in that way in fact this

is one of the things that I appreciate

about Christianity that I love about

Christianity is that it faces the

problem of evil squarely and it shows us

that God is Not absent in our suffering

if Christianity is true then God has has

done something for us in Christ in his

death and Resurrection there is a gift

offered to us that we can be forgiven

for our contributions to the problem of

evil there's a promise made to us that

Justice will be ultimately served in the

face of evil and there's a hope for the

day that is coming when evil will be

fully eradicated and all things will be

made new for now we see in part then we

will see face to face so please please

do not allow this issue to cause you to

hate God use this issue as a reason to

seek his face cast your cares upon him

because he cares for you he was willing

to die for you he's definitely willing

to listen to questions and to objections

and to problems that you might have with

them because I also have been in this

position of the person shaking my fist

at God and I'm just telling you bring

your stuff to God let him sort it out

he's good at doing that he's great and

greatly to be praised and he can turn

your mourning into dancing he can turn

your sorrow into joy and he can take the

things that you think are insurmountable

obstacles and level them entirely at the

foot of the cross and leave you in a

place of Wonder and amazement and joy as

you're actually encountering a living

God not just an idea a living God so

that's my entire Mission behind this

channel is I want people to encounter

the God that I have to understand the

nature and character of God through the

lens of Jesus Christ through the promise

of his death and resurrection and so I

could go on but if you guys appreciate

this type of video this type of content

I strongly strongly encourage you to

consider joining us in the wisdom

Society it is a community of Believers

from around the world who are meeting

together weekly in basically digital

meeting rooms like Zoom calls and we're

discussing these types of difficult

topics we're aiming to grow together

there's a lot of of different components

inside of the wisdom society that I've

put together and I constructed it in a

way that I hope will be the biggest

blessing possible to you guys including

connecting you the audience with the

experts and authors mentioned and and

featured on this channel frequently so

that the conversation can go a level

deeper I hope you'll appreciate it and I

hope that you'll give it a gander check

out the link is in the description of

this video if you're interested in that

thanks for watching and I'll see you in

the next one

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