Christian Faith in God is Reconcilable with the Reality of Evil in the World
Participants will provide the instructor with a two-page persuasive paper that sets forth the basic evidence and arguments for their side of the debate. The paper should be not double-spaced, 11-point font, one-inch margins, and contain a list of scholarly works used in preparation for the debate. How did you do in the debate itself; how did your partner do; which team had the better evidence and argumentation. Give both yourself and your partner an overall letter grade for research and the debate itself.
It is hard for people not to believe want they do not want to believe. If people do not want to listen and are willing to close their eyes regarding the truth of the matter, there is no way that they will understand what is being shared to them. The same thing holds true when we try to engage ourselves concerning this question: Is Christian Faith in God is Reconcilable with the Reality of Evil in the World? There will actually only three groups who will be in favor or not (and individuals who will remain neutral) that such a question requires all manners of faith-based or rational evidences – whether a priori, a posteriori, or whatever that may be.
Our group will start with the premise that Christian faith is true. To prove this, we only have to cite the bible and offer additional evidences from the scientific community, as well. Although there are counterfeit evidences, there are also, by far, many genuine archaeological proofs . So, it would not be an issue here whether Christ really existed here on earth millennia ago . Christ’s genealogy was even traced: He was of Eliof Enosh, of Shet, of Adam, of God (Luke 3.23-38). Apparently, Christ’s lineage is traceable – that He is of God (John 1.1-3, 14; John 1.18).
But the question remains: Is Christian faith in God is reconcilable with the reality of evil in the world? What does Christ’s parentage has to do with that question? Conspicuously, that is precisely our point. If we are believers of Christ, we will believe in the authenticity of the bible – that it points to the reality of Christ’s prior heavenly existence , existence of heaven, and existence of God (Isa. 45.23, 53.3; Phil. 2.6-11; Col. 1.15-16). We will also be in the position that things seen were made out of things not seen (Hebrew 11.3)! Hence, if we believe Christ and God, there is no way we would not believe the existence of the Devil because the devils themselves believe in God and shudder in fear (James 2.19). However, another question may suddenly come out from our rational thoughts: How can a good and loving God create a horrible creature – the Devil? Well, we have to think again if we are rational enough to have posed such an illogical question.
Did God created the Devil? How come if God is good and love (I John 4.8)? How come that if everything that He has created is excellent in every way (Genesis 1:31), why there is the Evil One and his cohorts? Well, there is no doubt that God is good and everything that He has made was good. However, we should also consider the truth that God is not the Creator of automatons (Psalms 119.108) – “the power to choose between good and evil” . From the very beginning, He gave freewill to man and His angels. According to the bible, Lucifer was originally created good, but then rebelled against God by trying to be equal with God (Isaiah 14.12-15). He has been arrogant despite the fact that He is in the presence of God. So, what can we say then whether we can reconcile / resolve the reality of evil with Christian faith? No doubt, it has been reconciled already!
Some will (or maybe) then endeavor to ask the question: How can you be sure of your answer? Initially, our basic premise is whether we believe in Christ or Christian faith (Romans 10.17). If you affirmed to that statement, we tried as much as we can to cite authorities, primarily the bible (II Timothy 3.16). If you do not agree, then there is no point to continue with our major premise that the reality of evil is reconcilable to the Christian faith in God. We have already presented our evidences by quoting/paraphrasing from the bible (Matthew 28.20). After which, we made a conclusion that the Christian faith proves the existence of the Devil because that is precisely what the bible says – no more and no less than that. If we really believe Christ in order to find an answer to our query above, we should only cite the most authoritative source – the bible. We can also cite scientific and logical proofs that our answers are indubitably true .
Precisely, to an ethical/moral person, evil exists as proven by Christ when He casted them out from people. For doing so, Christ was even accused that He can perform such godly acts because His power comes from Beelzebub. But, Christ warned them that it is against the Holy Spirit to say so (John 10.19-21; Mark 3.29). Hence, no one can gainsay that Christ himself acknowledge the devils presence. Even us, people, who see the heinous acts and crimes done against humanity, we are our own witnesses to the fact that there are devils and evil people in the world (Evil; Miller; Niemeyer; Soriano, It's Not God’s Fault; Blame the Hypocrites!). If we are Christians, we should all the more believe His Word. Our own rationality and feelings with attest to the facts and values that we have concerning what is good from what is evil. We do not even have to be swayed by the erroneous ideas of other people (self-styled theologians, philosophers, etc.) just to realize how authentic the bible is.
Works Cited
Evil. Vol. 1. Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition. MAS Ultra - School Edition, 2013. Web. 18 April 2013.
Miller, Keith. ""And God Saw That It Was Good": Death And Pain In The Created Order." Perspectives On Science & Christian Faith 63.2 (2011): 85-94. Web. 18 April 2013.
Niemeyer, Gerhart. "See No Evil." National Review 28.41 (1976): 1184. Web. 18 April 2013.
Senter, Ruth. "Doubt & Faith: If There Really Is A God." Campus Life 53.9 (1995): 25. Web. 18 April 2013.
Soriano, Eliseo F. "Beyond an Iota of a Doubt." 5 March 2009. Bro. Eli Soriano: Steward of the Mysteries of God. Web. 18 April 2013.
—. "How Do We Know If God Really Exist? - Bro. Eli Soriano I of II." 20 April 2011. Youtube. Youtube. Web. 18 April 2013.
—. "It's Not God’s Fault; Blame the Hypocrites!" 16 January 2010. Bro. Eli Soriano: Steward of the Mysteries of God. Web. 18 April 2013.
—. "Jesus Christ Existed Even Before Abraham." 7 July 2007. ESoriano: The Official Blog of the Presiding Minister, Members of the Church of God, International www.mcgi.org. Web. 18 April 2013.
—. "Perfect Justice in God’s Perfect Time." 27 July 2007. Bro. Eli Soriano: Steward of the Mysteries of God. Web. 18 April 2013.
