Part Four: Questions about the Afterlife and Evil
Part 4
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AFTERLIFE AND EVIL
Questions related to the problem of evil and the eternal damnation of the unevangelized consist of some of the most serious challenges against Christian theism. But so often objections in these areas are extracted and isolated from broader theological and philosophical considerations related to one’s view of human nature and evil, the intent and scope of God’s salvation in Christ, and one’s view of the afterlife and eternity. The problem of the “problem of evil” is not merely a philosophical issue; it is as much a theological issue—specifically, a theological anthropology issue. With that in mind, it is important to recognize whose problem is the “problem of evil.” Does the burden of proof fall only on the theist, specifically, the Christian theist? Or, is it mostly a burden on the atheist? Even if it does not fall to the theist, the theist does have a responsibility to offer intelligible reasons to both the emotional and intellectual aspects of the problem of evil to anyone who is willing to receive.
The eight questions posed in this part address both felt needs in this area and also developed objections against reasonable belief in God. In many ways, the discussion in this part can be read as an extension and application of topics in Part One, section 3 regarding how God is the basis of morality. One can come away with a sober-minded attitude as a result of studying the issues raised in this part. Perhaps one of the most intense questions is this one: “Was the slaughter of the Canaanites an act of ‘Divine Genocide’?” This has become a popular issue in apologetics, if for no other reason than the amount of airplay it receives by the so-called New Atheists. Dr. Craig’s steadfast answer shows us how the tough-minded questions can be frankly confronted. To readers “who have ears to hear, and eyes to see,” you can experience a renewed, holy attentiveness for the justice and mercy of God when facing this issue.
By interacting with the questions and answers of Part Four, you can benefit in the following ways.
In section 1, you can come to discern
• How a middle knowledge view of God’s sovereignty helps us better understand why some are eternally damned.
• How creation benefits the lost.
• How to understand nature’s flaws and cruelties in light of God’s providence.
• Why people in heaven won’t sin.
• Why it is not an act of “cultural chauvinism” for some to be saved and for others not to be saved.
In section 2, you can come to understand
• How the burden of proof for the problem of evil is on the atheist, not the theist.
• Why it is important to distinguish between the emotional and intellectual problem of evil.
• Why the slaughter of the Old Testament Canaanites was not an act of divine genocide.
• Why skeptical theism is not a helpful descriptor for addressing the problem of evil.
You can discover further background to these issues, grow your understanding, and become even more skillful in your communication of what you learn by interacting with some of these valuable resources:
Dig Deeper into Dr. Craig’s Work
BEGINNER
Craig, William Lane. On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook Publishers, 2010. Chapters 6–7.
Craig, William Lane. Hard Questions, Real Answers. Wheaton: Crossway, 2003. Chapters 4–5.
INTERMEDIATE
Craig, William Lane and J. P. Moreland. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2003. Chapters 27–28.
Craig, William Lane and Ray Bradley. “Craig v. Bradley: Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?” Simon Frasier University, Vancouver, B.C., January 1994. http://bit.ly/CraigBradley.
Craig, William Lane. “How Can Christ Be the Only Way to God?” Reasonable Faith. http://bit.ly/OnlyWayToGod.
ADVANCED
Craig, William Lane. “‘No Other Name’: A Middle Knowledge Perspective on the Exclusivity of Salvation through Christ.” Faith and Philosophy 6 (1989): 172–88.
Supplemental Recommended Resources
BEGINNER
Tada, Joni Eareckson. A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook Publishers, 2010.
Zacharias, Ravi. Cries of the Heart. Nashville: Word Publishers, 1998.
INTERMEDIATE
Copan, Paul and William Lane Craig, eds. Come Let Us Reason: New Essays in Christian Apologetics. Nashville: B&H, 2012. Chapters 13–14.
Copan, Paul. Is God a Moral Monster? Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010.
Copan, Paul and William Lane Craig, eds. Contending with Christianity’s Critics. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2009. Chapters 16–18.
Craig, William Lane and Chad Meister, eds. God Is Great, God Is Good: Why Believing in God Is Reasonable and Responsible. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2009. Chapters 7–10.
Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2011. Chapter 25, Appendix 1–2.
Sweis, Khaldoun A. and Chad V. Meister. Christian Apologetics: An Anthology of Primary Sources. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. Chapters 43–47.
ADVANCED
Goetz, Stewart. “The Argument from Evil.” In William Lane Craig and J. P. Moreland, eds. The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology. Malden, Mass.: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, 2009. Chapter 8.
Murray, Michael. Nature Red in Tooth and Claw. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Plantinga, Alvin. God, Freedom, and Evil. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.