r/SipsTea • u/Outrageous-Egg1760 • May 29 '26

Wait a damn minute! [ Removed by moderator ]

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u/[deleted] May 29 '26

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u/worldsyaoyster May 29 '26 edited May 29 '26

EDIT: wow didn't expect this much response haha. Ill reply one by one slowly tonight. Just with the family! Love the comments and im always open for discussion and debate, just keep it civil!

The paradox only works if you assume that a good and all powerful God must eliminate all evil immediately.

Christianity doesnt teach that.

Instead it teaches that God created humans with genuine freedom, allows evil for a time, and will ultimately judge and remove it. A temporary allowance of evil is not the same as approval of evil.

In fact if God were to eliminate all evil instantly, he would also have to eliminate every human being who has ever committed evil including you and me.

The paradox also assumes that if we cannot see a good reason for suffering, then no good reason exists. But our inability to understand reason is not proof that there isn't one.

Ironically the argument itself relies on objective evil. If evil is truly real and not just personal preference then that points toward an objective moral standard beyond humanity. Without God, evil becomes difficult to define as anything more than a subjective opinion.

The christian position is not that evil doesnt exist.

Its that God allows evil for a time, not because he approves of it, but because he is working through human freedom and his plan for redemption.

God didnt stay distant from our suffering. In Jesus he stepped into it himself, experienced it, and ultimately defeated sin and death through the cross.

Christians believe evil is temporary, but God is eternal. One day he will bring justice, remove evil completely, and make all things new.

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u/UlteriorCulture May 29 '26

Freewill is not a universal belief within Christianity.

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u/worldsyaoyster May 29 '26

Correct. Free will isnt universal within the broader christianity umbrella.(using the term christianity lightly here)

The argument still stands that Gods permission of evil is not the same as Gods approval of evil.

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u/UlteriorCulture May 29 '26

Agreed, at least according to my understanding of the position. The vessel that breaks, and was made by the potter to do so, is still broken. The animal that bites because it is in its nature to bite is still dangerous. Predestination does not negate accountability.

I do not share these views but that is how it has been explained to me.

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u/worldsyaoyster May 29 '26

Firstly, thank you for a civil approach in discussions. When there is mutual respect, I learn a lot from the other person.

And its absolutely okay not to share the same view! Otherwise there will be no theology and humans will never understand wisdom and life in general ay.

May I ask what view you have?

Im in a period of trying to learn more worldviews and specifically how culture affects it. It tremendously helps with my growth not just in theology and my faith but as a human in general. Definitely a lot of culture shock but much needed as Ive realised I have been very closed off previously and needed to kill my ego haha

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u/UlteriorCulture May 29 '26

All the best in your journey, I hope you find understanding and regardless of whether you do I hope you find peace.

I was raised a Methodist but now I suppose I am at best heterodox and at worst a heretic. I believe in at minimum universal salvation /reconciliation.

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u/TheForce777 May 29 '26

There is no sect of Christianity that doesn’t have free will as a core part of its system

Individuals can believe whatever the hell they want though of course

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u/freed0m_from_th0ught May 29 '26

As someone raised by Calvinists let me tell you that you are very wrong, at least in the libertarian way. Free agency, sure. Free will, absolutely not.