Problem of Evil: Probability

Introducing and evaluating the problem of evil in a five video series.

1) Introduction
2) Objection 1: Logical inconsistency within God
3) Objection 2: Probability argument
4) Objection 3: Evidential argument
5) Objection 4: Emotional argument & Conclusion

China:

It is estimated that 20 million Chinese lost their lives during Mao's Cultural Revolution. Christians stood firm in what was probably the most widespread and harsh persecution the Church has ever experienced. The persecution purified and indigenized the CHurch. Since 1977 the growth of the Church in China has no parallels in history. Researchers estimate that there were 30 - 75 million Christians by 1990. Mao Zedong unwittingly became the greatest evangelist in history.

El Salvador:

The 12-year civil war, earthquakes, and the collapse of the price of coffee, the nation's main export, impoverished the nation. Over 80% live in dire poverty. An astonishing spiritual harvest has been gathered form all strata of society in the midst of the hate and bitterness of war. In 1960 evangelicals were 2.3% of the population, but today are around 20%.

Ethiopia:

Ethiopia is in a state of shock. Her population struggles with the trauma of millions of deaths through repression, famine, and war. Two great waves of violent persecution refined and purified the Church, but there were many martyrs. There have been million coming to Christ. Protestants were fewer than 0.8% of the population in 1960, but by 1990 this may have become 13% of the population.

* From Operation World

References:

Hume, D. (1980). Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill (p. 198)

Johnstone, P. (1993). Operation World. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan

Koukl, G. (2009). Tactics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan

Nash, R. H. (1988). Faith and Reason: Searching for a Rational Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan

Mission Frontiers. Retrieved on March 14, 2009 from: http://www.missionfrontiers.org/pdf/1990/11/n908.htm

Moreland, J.P., & Craig, W.L. (2003). Philosophical foundations for a Christian worldview. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press

Zacharias, R. (2000). Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson

Category:

Education

Tags:

• problem
• of
• evil
• atheism
• agnosticism
• logic
• contradiction
• law
• noncontradiction
• christianity
• god
• reason
• probabl

[Veritas48]

Wow you went all out with this series!

[gambleor]

If you understand what evil and good really are, then you'll understand the quote more fully. Since evil and good are derivatives of function, the only sensible thing to say is that if one creates anything, he has created good and evil simultaneously. i.e.- I create a knife to cut bread with (good), but I use it to kill my neighbor (evil). See? the moment I create, I've created every possibility that my creation can assume.

[J0EH3AD]

@polopowers1 Blessed are weakminded for theirs is kingdom of heaven. You are truly blessed.

[J0EH3AD]

The problem with term "evil" is that it can be looked from different perspective. When planes crashed to WTC literally hundreds of millions of people were celebrating in joy because "evil" was struck in its heart. For us "evil" struck us without apparent reason. I dont use term evil because it severly depends on the point of view. This is absolutely clear.

When one thinks about how harsh jungle environment works and one knows a bit about biology - pure torment is happening every instant.

[polopowers1]

God is Spirit Virtue.He was never Spirit without Virtue or Virtue without Spirit.If any man has a virtue or a attribute outside of God's Virtue or attribute God is suspended and his self existing Life has ceased.God has created evil by knowledge not to give morality but Christ superior to all morality.Hence, God is not moral but fruit of the Spirit Virtue.Christ satisfied more than law when dying but the goodness of God to be imputed.

[Perrine234]

I bet you didn't know about this verse:

Isaiah 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

[jnoort]

Look, it's not something I can prove. It's just the way I look at this as a nonbeliever.

I too am human, and I am interested in God and religion, simply because I am human. The problem is that when you allow your mind to be open for things that you can't be 100% certain about, it opens the door for all kinds of things. And that's where you have to be careful. That's where you start talking in terms of probabilities that I really don't get.

[telemantros]

I'd argue that it's not wishful thinking jnoort but the proper way to come to a accurate probability as I explained in my example about rain and drought in the video.

We have suggested evidences via logical deduction which necessarily follow from the premises. These can be therefore, proven via logic if their are sound.

[jnoort]

No, you turn this around. I suspect (I'm not sure) that wishfull thinking lead to this full picture of evidence. Remember, you are still talking about things that can't be tested, and that opens the door for a whole lot of religious bs. The human mind is capable of believing almost anything; just look around and realise that you are human too.

[randyhelzerman]

Do you really believe that we are living in the best of all possible worlds???

[legodesi]

More accrately, I'm saying that the best of possible worlds is one in which we make choices that we are responsible for. It is overall better that we make good choices and be rewarded for them than only do them because God made us do them.