_Sabbath School Summary_ *The Problem of Evil* _Lesson 7_ _Memory Text: Revelation 21:4_ *Introduction* *SABBATH*: A great case against God is that if He’s all-powerful & good, why does He allow so much suffering in this world? Perhaps this is the chief obstacle to faith in God (GC, p. 492). This is not just an academic question but one we all ask ourselves at a point in our lives. Many atheists allude to the problem of evil as the reason why they’re atheists. The origin of sin/evil is a mystery. What is sure is that God is good amid evil. *“How Long, O Lord?”* *SUNDAY*: “Why is there so much evil in this world if God is good?” is an ancient question. Many Bible characters cried to God “how long, O Lord” will you forget me, hide your face from me, & evil exist? (Job 30:26, Jer. 12:1, 13:22, Mal. 2:17, Ps. 10:1). Jesus Himself cried on the cross “‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?’” (Matt. 27:46). That’s, we shouldn’t escape the ancient question by watering its down. Christ defeated evil at the cross. It’s our hope (Ps. 22:1). *“There Are Many Things We Do Not Know”* *MONDAY*: “Until then my heart will keep on singing” should be our mantra in an attempt to deal with the problem of evil. Behind the scenes, there are many acts of God to resolve sin/evil that we don’t know about. Job got to know this truth when he sought an audience with God to ask him about why evil persists in the world (Job 38:1-12; 1, 2, 42:3). We may not have answers right now but it does not mean there are no good answers to our question or that it’ll not be resolved. *The Skeptical Theist* *TUESDAY*: No one can know the mind of God. He works in mysterious ways. As finite men, we cannot grasp His infinite power & complex plans (Isa. 55:8, 9). Why should we, then, place ourselves in a position to know what God’s reasons for what He does/doesn’t do in diverse situations? We must accept we know only in part/little (termed as “skeptical theism”). The Psalmist found answers in the sanctuary that God is just & will end evil (Ps. 73). He’s the righteous Judge. *The Freewill Defense* *WEDNESDAY*: The misuse of free will is a defense for why there’s evil on earth. God made man (Adam & Eve) as free moral agents. That’s, the root of evil is not material, it is moral. God, then, is not to blame for evil because man misused free will which was given for his good. Why, however, would God give such free will? (Gen. 2:16, 17). Love can only exist when man has free will & not made as a robot (Gen. 4, Deut. 7:12, 13; Josh. 24:14, 15; Ps. 81:11–14; and Isa. 66:4). *Love and Evil?* *THURSDAY*: Satan was the first being to sin & he continues to instigate sin. God bore long with Satan for his true nature to be seen by all. To break his deceptive power, force could not be used because the use of force is against the principles of God’s government. At the start to the end of the great conflict, the story tells of God’s unchanging love. Jesus knew the misuse of free will would cost His life, but He gave it to us. He has joy awaiting us (DA, p. 22, Rom. 8:18, Rev. 21:3-4). *Further Thought* *FRIDAY*: Even after Satan was cast out of heaven, he wasn’t killed by Infinite Wisdom to ensure that the allegiance of God's creatures would be based on love rather than fear. All needed to know the nature & consequences of sin fully. This would not have been possible had Satan been immediately obliterated. His sin is a lasting lesson to the universe. This history of rebellion acts as a safeguard for holy beings, helping them to avoid deception and the penalties of sin. —Ellen G. White, “Why Was Sin Permitted?” pp. 33–43, in Patriarchs and Prophets. *Keywords* _GC- The Great Controversy_ _Skeptical Theism- The skeptical theist is one who believes God has good reasons for acting as He does, but given our limited knowledge, we should not expect to be in a position to know just what those reasons are._ _DA- The Desire of Ages_ *Discussion Questions* 📌 “Theodicy” is a term for the justification of God in the face of evil. But it is not the justification for evil itself. Imagine someone in heaven saying, “Oh, yes, Jesus, now I understand why my family was tortured and murdered before my eyes. Yes, it all makes great sense now. Thank You, Jesus!” That’s absurd. How can we come to understand that it is God, not evil, that is ultimately vindicated in the great controversy? (See lesson 9.) 📌 Have you ever felt somewhat like Job? Have you ever been tempted to think that there could not possibly be a good explanation for the suffering you or your loved ones have experienced? How does Job’s final realization that he “uttered what” he “did not understand” (Job 42:3, NKJV) shed light on the position we are in relative to our own questions? _For February 8–14. Happy Sabbath!_