What is a theodicy?

God in Relation to Evil

 

Theodicy is a branch of philosophy dealing with the issue of evil in light of the existence of God. If God is just and holy and good, then how do evil and misery exist? That’s the question theodicy wrestles with. History’s most famous statement of the “problem of evil” comes from the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus:

 

1 - Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.

2 - Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.

3 - Is he both able and willing? Then where does evil come from?

4 - Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

 

Of course, most people have no experience with philosophers. They do, however, watch movies, and a slightly modified version of this idea came from the character of Lex Luthor in a recent action film: “If God is all powerful, he cannot be all good. And if he’s all good, then he cannot be all powerful.” – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

The biggest hurdle in discussing theodicy is a tendency to waffle on the definitions of certain words. Or to color certain words with a meaning that is not part of the argument. So, in order to really understand the concept of theodicy, one has to carefully define his terms and then stick to those definitions. 

My next post will tackle the topic “Exactly What is Evil?” Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.gotquestions.org

Confidence in God

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”- 1 John 5:14-15

                  I remember when I was a child, I had asked for a tape recorder for Christmas. For some reason, I took it upon myself to go on a hunting expedition in my parent’s closet one Saturday, when my folks were out shopping for groceries. Well, I found a small reel-to-reel tape recorder in a box buried deep in the bowels of their closet, behind my mom’s long dresses. That particular year I was extremely confident that what I had asked for I would be receiving. This is the same confidence we can have regarding those things we ask for from God. There is one stipulation though; we must ask according to His will. If we know the Lord personally than chances are you’ll know what to ask for.

                  Sometimes it seems as if the will of God is one of the most difficult things to discern in the whole, wide world, but it really isn’t. Start off by doing what you know is right and righteous in the sight of God. Do whatever you do to glorify Him. Be like Solomon, in that you ask for that which will benefit others and not lift yourself up. Remember, according to scripture, “we must decrease, and He must increase” (John 3:30). If you seek wisdom, guidance, assistance out of a dilemma or a healing … all noble requests that would bring glory to God, then God will answer you in the affirmative. God’s will is not unattainable. If the answer doesn’t come there is a reason. Trust Him to give you just what you need when you need it the most.

                  If you’re uncertain as to whether something is within the parameters of God’s will just ask that his will be done in your life and wait for the manifestation of it.  Something like this, “Lord, give me wisdom and sound judgment today that I might be able to bless and encourage others and I will give You all the glory. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus, amen.” I believe God will not only hear, but also answer a request like that.

                  May the will of God never be far from you is my prayer for you this day. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Erroneous Views of Hell

(1) The second chance view – After death there is still a way to escape hell.  Answer: “It is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

(2) Universalism – All are eternally saved.  Answer: It denies the truth of salvation through Christ which means that a person decides to either trust in Christ or else he/she rejects Christ and goes to hell (John 3:16; 3:36).

(3) Annihilationism – Hell means a person dies like an animal – ceases to exist. Answer: It denies the resurrection of the unsaved (John 5:28, etc. – see above). It denies conscious torment.

 

Objections to the Biblical View of Hell

 

(1) A loving God would not send people to a horrible hell. Response: God is just (Romans 2:11). God has provided the way of salvation to all (John 3:16,17; 2 Corinthians 5:14,15; 1 Timothy 2:6; 4:10; Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9). Even those who haven’t heard of Christ are accountable for God’s revelation in nature (Romans 1:20). God will seek those who seek Him (Matthew 7:7; Luke 19:10). Therefore God doesn’t send people to hell, they choose to go by their rejection of Christ (Romans 1:18,21,25).

(2) Hell is too severe a punishment for man’s sin. Response: God is holy ... perfect (1 Peter 1:14,15). Sin is willful opposition to God our creator (Romans 1:18-32). Our sin does merit hell (Romans 1:32; 2:2,5,6). What is truly amazing is that Christ died for our sin and freely offers salvation to all (Romans 2:4; 3:22-24; 4:7,8; 5:8,9).

 

Biblical Terms Describing Where the Dead Are

 

Sheol - a Hebrew term simply describing “the grave” or “death” – Does not refer to “hell” specifically

Hades - A Greek term that usually refers to hell – a place of torment (Luke 10:15; 16:23, etc.)

Gehenna - A Greek term (borrowed from a literal burning dump near Jerusalem) that always refers to hell – a place of torment (Matthew 5:30; 23:33)

“Lake of fire”- the final abode of unbelievers after they are resurrected (Revelation 20:14,15)

“Abraham’s bosom” - (Luke 16:22) a place of eternal comfort

“Paradise” - (Luke 23:43) a place of eternal comfort

“With the Lord” - a key phrase describes where church age believers are after death (Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 5:8)

“New heavens and earth” – where believers will be after they are resurrected (Revelation 20:4-6; 21:1-4)

 

Conclusion

 

Our curiosity about the abode of the dead is not completely satisfied by biblical terms or verses. What we DO know is that either eternal torment in hell or eternal joy in heaven awaits all people after death, based on whether they trust in Christ’s payment for sin or not. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Will Everyone Go to Heaven?

Exactly who WILL go to heaven?

Only those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior will receive eternal life. There’s no second chance for salvation after death, so we must respond to God's call now and share this truth with others.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Not everyone will go to heaven; only those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will receive eternal life (John 3:16). The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and that no one can earn salvation through their own efforts. Salvation is through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, as we confess Him as Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). There is NO second chance after death to change one's eternal destiny, so it is crucial to respond to God’s call of salvation now (Hebrews 9:27). As believers, we are called to share this message with others, helping them come to know Jesus and experience the hope of salvation (Matthew 28:18-20).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Although salvation in the Old Testament also came by faith through the promise of the Messiah, it was not fulfilled until the New Testament time.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Who will go to heaven? John 3:16 offers the clear words of Jesus on this issue: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Those with faith in Jesus as God's Son have eternal life. Those who do not are separated from Him for eternity. Their future is in what the Bible describes as hell or eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46; Luke 12:5; Romans 6:23).

Every person sins (Romans 3:10), and no one is good enough to achieve entrance into God's perfect presence in heaven by works or human goodness. Romans 3:23 also teaches that all have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory or perfect standard. God, in His grace, made the way for those who believe in Jesus Christ by faith to receive salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Romans 10:9-10 confirms who will be saved: "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Acts 4:12 is clear that this salvation is only through Jesus: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

After this life, there will be no opportunity to choose to believe in Jesus or to change one's eternal destiny; there will be death and then a judgment regarding our eternity (Hebrews 9:27). There will be no reincarnation or second chance after death, only eternity with God or apart from Him. 

If none of this is true, then why did Jesus have to die? Hebrew historical documents verify His existence on earth. He said He was the Son of God. Are you willing to bet your eternity on it being a lie or fairytale? That’s up to you. 

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.gotquestions?.org

“BECAUSE OF THE JOY AWAITING HIM…”

“…let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”- HEBREWS 12:2

                  I ran Cross Country in high school and though I wasn’t any good, I certainly knew what it took to BE a good runner. You had to build up your endurance by running and you didn’t run on smooth surfaces all the time. Many times we’d hit the road and run 5-8 miles up and down big hills and thru the country roads miles behind the school. At that time the races were on a predetermined course either on the school grounds or neighboring roads around the school. The races were 2.5 miles back in the early 70’s. You had to work very hard to achieve the stamina and endurance needed to win or for that matter, just finish the race. So when the writer of Hebrews talks about running the race God sets before us with endurance, I know exactly what he’s talking about.

                  And what about the ‘joy awaiting Jesus’ … what’s that all about. He knew He was going to be beaten to within an inch of his life and had just asked His Father if there was any way to take ‘this cup’ away from Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Let us remember that He left that Garden having to be resolute regarding His fate. He wished to perform the Father’s will and not His own. Also remember, He was 100% human & 100% divine. Naturally the divine side won out, but not before the human side had its’ say.

                  Hanging on a criminal’s cross garnered a certain amount of shame, but Jesus totally disregarded the shame scripture says. Once He galvanized His own will to line up with the Fathers, He set Himself as a flint to go about the Father’s business. Without Christ’s blood there is no salvation … no forgiveness for sin. It had to be done this way, so Jesus acquiesced to the Father’s will and willingly endured that which no innocent man should have had to endure. And it says He did it joyfully, even resolutely, to save the souls of all mankind. What a mighty God we serve! Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Bible used: Life Application Study Bible, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishing, latest copyright is 2005.

 

Christ’s Blood Redeems Us

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”- Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV)

Hell or Hades defined: “The Greek word ‘hades’ of the New Testament has the same scope of signification as ‘sheol’ of the Old Testament. It is a prison (1 Pet. 3:19), with gates and bars and locks (Matt. 16:18; Rev. 1:18), and it is downward (Matt. 11:23; Luke 10:15). In Greek Mythology, Hades is the god of the netherworld. We are taught that hell is a place of evil, misery, discord, or destruction; a place of eternal torment and anguish; a state of separation from God; an exclusion from God’s presence.” ⁽¹⁾
            With Ephesians 1:7-8 emblazoned upon the top of this entry, why define hell? Because we need to understand what we, as believers, were saved from. We also need to understand that this is where unregenerate souls go if they never receive the gift God has for everyone … His grace.
Grace defined: “the free and unmerited favor of God shown towards man; the divine assistance and power given to man in spiritual rebirth and sanctification; the condition of being favored or sanctified by God.” ⁽²⁾

Lavish defined: “To give or bestow in abundance; shower.” ⁽²⁾
            We need, as believers in Christ, to understand what was done for us. We need to understand that we did nothing to deserve such a monumental and gracious gift. We need to understand that we were bound for an everlasting and infinite stint in hell, separated from God, with no hope of parole. If you don’t believe in such things, are you willing to bet your eternal soul on it?
            Are we living our lives only for ourselves or are we living for God first. You see, God doesn’t want you to live for Him to the exclusion of your family … no. He wants you to be a better husband, father, and provider for them through Him. It is only through the Holy Spirit of God that we can be all we CAN be. It’s the only way we can grow spiritually and be a proper Godly leader in our families. And I am not forgetting about women ... wives/mothers are a key component in a family, so what I say applies to them as well, for God loves them just the same. No one gender is more important than the other in God’s economy. Remember, Christ Himself said, “I am the vine, you are the branches; without Me you can do nothing.” ⁽³⁾ The gospels also declare: Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who try to build anything not according to His call. [paraphrase]
                  Don’t let God’s grace become a cheap thing to you, like a withered piece of fruit on the vine. Let Him be both Savior AND Lord of everything you have, everything you are, and everything you do. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
In His Name & for His Glory, 

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries
(1) Bible Dictionary; www.biblegateway.com
(2) www.thefreedictionary.com
(3) John 15:5 (NIV)

Living By Faith

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”- Habakkuk 3:17-18

          Habakkuk is praying to Jehovah God in the third chapter as he sees Him trample his enemies underfoot. Habakkuk is awestruck by the power displayed and the vengeance brought against his enemies. In the end of the prayer Habakkuk is resolute as he states that no matter what may happen to him, he will rejoice in the Lord. Habakkuk sees the ferocious way that God repays evil done against His children and recognizes that only God can deliver him from his calamity. He humbly acknowledges that God is the one who is over all and shall provide for and sustain him.

          If we were in the same situation, how would we act? No food, no job, no money to pay bills … what’s going on? God was mindful of Habakkuk and He is mindful of us as well. We are not in danger of anything other than the discomfort of having our routine disrupted. Habakkuk, being a prophet, was targeted and in danger of death from enemies that rose up against the people of God continually throughout the Old Testament. In all three chapters of Habakkuk, the overriding theme is that the just shall live by faith. It is faith that leads to trust and as believers we need to know we can trust God. It is a conscious decision we must make; do we trust God or not? If we do, then we should understand two things; that nothing is impossible for God and that His timing rarely syncs up to ours. The perfect job is coming your way; financial relief is coming as well. Your prayers shall be answered. Seek His will for your life and then praise God from whom all blessings flow. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries