How to answer….

An atheist

Challenges

1- Evolution vs. Creation 2- Which god is God? 3- What after Life? 4- Why Pain, Injustice, natural

disasters?

Evolution…Our View

Evolution cannot be considered a fact because it is based on non-provable assumptions.

We may accept microevolution but science never proved macroevolution

Our God is the true God because He is the only; Loving, Mighty and wise among all other gods.

How to prove God’s existence?

1- Perfect design: the universe had a Designer who made it habitable for humans.

2-    Moral argument: we should act in a certain way, and someone who has the authority to do so gave that way to us. If humans created the law, the law would change as much as humans do.

3-     First Cause argument; anything that begins to exist was caused to exist by something (or someone) that existed before it.

4- Ontological argument: Only a perfect being must exist.

Where is God?

When I am hurt!

Where is God?

When terrorists forced their way into United airlines #93 cockpit?

When thousands of people are killed, families including orphaned children- are left grieving?

If God is loving, all-powerful, and good

Then evil and suffering should not exist He should have prevented suffering Why didn’t he make a world where people

didn’t hurt each other? How could He create evil? Or …. May be….He did not, then who did?

Where did evil come from?

It is all about free choice!

God created humans who have the ability to freely choose

Humans abused their freedom of choice by rejecting to choose God

And that’s how human suffering came into the world

St. Gregory of Nisus

Flesh is not the cause of evil but it is due to our free choice and free will.

Then why did God create humans with free choices? Chose to hate, destroy, kill…He should have created humans to do good only!!

If love is programmed…is it really love? Would you believe a Barbie doll saying

”I love you” So….Love must involve a choice!

So..By creating people with choices, God in effect did create evil!

God did not create evil and suffering

But, in order to have the potential for an authentic love, he did create the potential for evil to enter the world

But, it was human’s free choice, who brought

this potential into reality

But…If God is God, He could have anticipated the consequences of giving people free choice!

No doubt He did! But , the risk was worth it! Would you take the risk of friendships or

marriage…knowing that there will be disappointments.

It was so much worth to Him, not only to create us with free choices but also to prepare the way to come back to Him when we rebel.

I am not ready yet, to let God

Off the hook!

Why God does not wipe out suffering?

Even if he did not cause suffering, why does not he take it away?

If I just sat and watched my son being struck by a truck..I am a bad father…right!

If he can perform miracles…why doesn't he?

Isn't he a bad God!

It LOOKS like he is!

BUT!!!!

What about earthquakes, famine or other natural disasters?Is it truly God to be blamed for all suffering?

Not really….. Cutting down rain forests leads to higher

Co2 levels, leading to thinning of the Ozone layer, resulting in global warming and increased flooding

Why God did not wipe out suffering?Daddy..look what I did! A girl trying to learn how to thread a

needle Why don’t parents do the homework? How did you learn biking? A finger abscess, father holding and a

mirror How did your dad teach you swimming?

God is wise enough to foresee that we need some pain for reasons which we may not understand but which he foresees as being necessary to some eventual good

Or “And we know that all things work together for

good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose “ rom8:28

Why God does not wipe out suffering?

No pain…No gain

Athletes… “And not only that, but we also glory in

tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope “ Rom 5:3

Pain corrects life course

“For they-our human fathers- indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” Heb. 12:10

Pain can protect from injuries

Positive from NegativeFruits collected From prisoner to a prime minister

Sep. 11th 2001 revealed: Courage of passengers in United airlines

#93 Endurance of rescuers Prayers

Even if God can use suffering to accomplish good things

It isn't fairterrorists, rapists, bullies who make life miserableWhy God let them get away with it?

It is not the end …yet!

You cannot stop watching a movie at the middle and criticize the author for not tying the loose ends of the plot!

The fact that God has not evened the score in every case does not mean that He wont!

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Rev. 6:9-13

Reasons for Sufferings!! Blessed is the man who endures

temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. 1pet3:14

For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1Pet 3:17

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Rom 8: 18

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Cor. 4:17

Reasons for Sufferings!!

Announcements

Spiritual Day• You are ALL invited  to attend a Spiritual Day next

Saturday the 10h  of November 2012• Place Name: Theatre Hall

Programme: • Divine Liturgy at  St Mark Church from 7:00 – 9: 00• Followed by Breakfast till 10:15 in the Theatre Reception• Sessions till 2:30 PM• Cost for the day per person is : 10 EGP for day Reservation will be at the reception desk outside

after The Lecture .

Homework

Define the Steps of Repentance

from Luke Chapter 10

through Chapter 17

Previous Homework Reminder

From Isaiah Chapter 40

till Chapter 58,

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God's Promises to You