RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-05-15	The Problem of Evil (Lk.13:1-5)
		Luk 13:1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. Luk 13:2 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? Luk 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luk 13:4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? Luk 13:5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Those present asked Jesus a clear question concerning the problem of evil. Their question or example concerned a moral evil. Pilate killed some Galileans. When Jesus answered or responded He brought up another example, but this time of a natural evil. That is, when the tower of Siloam fell 18 people were killed. It does not sound like He answered their question. He added to the question another category example related to evil. There is both moral evil and natural evil in the world. Jesus' answer is short but insightful. Those that died from moral evil and those who died from the natural evil were not worse sinners than those around them. They were just sinners. So, moral and natural evil is expected in this fallen world. Of course Jesus added that unless they repent they would likewise perish (v.3,5). ALL DESERVE DEATH There are several theological points made by Jesus. Jesus is clear that the wages for sin is death as Paul pointed out (Rm.6:23). Jesus teaches that those who suffered under Pilate and those who died in the collapse of tower did deserve their fate. But His stronger point is that they too deserved to die. Jesus is teaching that all death is the result of sin. In other words, they all deserved to die. GOD'S MERCY Jesus is clear that those who suffered that way were not any more wicked than those who escaped that fate. All deserve to die is the message. Those who suffered as they did not get more than they deserved. But it does not mean those who did not die that way deserve less. It is only by God's grace that any of them were still alive. There is no moral superiority on their part. NATURAL DISASTERS: A CALL TO REPENTANCE Natural disasters are always a call to repentance. The fact that we question God's goodness in times of calamity reflects our own depravity. It is as if he is saying that God uses disaster as a megaphone to call attention to our guilt. In perspective, peace is something we do not deserve, but shows God's goodness and forbearance. We get peace and disaster reversed. We think we deserve times of blessing, and disasters are unfair. We call God into question when disasters occur. Jesus’ answer to the problem of evil is that all fallen, unregenerate sinners born in Adam are worthy of death. It does not matter whether we die by murder, accident, or disease. These are not more than we deserve. It is only by God’s grace that anyone is saved, and it is only by God’s mercy that anyone is kept alive. If we do not understand the problem of sin clearly, the question of why God allows evil will not make sense to us, let alone trying to explain them to the unsaved. Unsaved man argues that he is basically good, and when “bad” things happen it is because God is unjust. Jesus and the Bible teach the opposite. Man is basically evil. When “bad” things occur it is because we live in a fallen world. Also God has reason why He allows evil to occur. From our own experience with God we know His reasons are best. 2Ti 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Pastor Tom Elseroad
		The link below is a larger lesson on the problem of evil: http://www.otischurch.com/resources/topics/evil/problem-of-evil.pdf

 

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