Resources
World Video Bible School
Boston Bombing - Is God to Blame?
Horrific events, such as the Boston Marathon Bombing, can lead to questions of blame. Who receives blame for the Boston Marathon Bombing? Is God to blame? What about man's free-will? And an even deeper question, "Why is there evil in the world?" Together with the world, we condemn the perpetrators for their evil and appalling attack on innocent lives. We place blame on them because they had the choice to do good and to benefit their fellow man, but instead they chose evil, malice and hatred. For all those who chose to support, volunteer and come to the aid of their fellow man, we commend them for their decision to do good.
Death of a Child
Where do children go when they die? What hope is there for parents? Will you ever see your child again? When a young child dies, parents are left with sorrow-filled hearts and feelings of despair. Many questions arise and answers are sought to heal their brokenness, but peace is rarely attained. In light of the tragic shootings that occurred in Newtown, CT resulting in the death of 20 children, this short video by John Moore has been designed to comfort and provide hope. It explains what happens to young children when they die, offering encouragement to any parent who has lost a young child. God has made it possible for parents to know where the souls of their children are today and has provided hope in a future reunion with them, according to His will.
Apologetics Press
"The Problem of Evil" by Dave Miller, Ph.D. and Kyle Butt, M.A.
Atheists suggest that the "Problem of Evil" is one of the strongest arguments against God's existence. They maintain that the biblical theist cannot consistently affirm all three of the following propositions:
1. God is omnipotent.
2. God is perfect in goodness.
3. Evil exists.
The atheist claims that an omnipotent God (as described by the Bible) is not good if He permits evil and suffering, or if He is perfect in goodness He cannot be omnipotent since evil exists in the World. Since Christians claim all three propositions as true, the atheist claims that Christians are guilty of affirming a logical contradiction, making their position false. However, the "problem of evil" is a problem for the atheist—not the Christian theist.
"Value of Human Suffering" by Wayne Jackson, M.A.
It has been said that there is no greater education than matriculating through the University of Hard Knocks. One thing is certain; many who have passed through the crucible of suffering will acknowledge that they have found themselves infinitely better for the experience—bitter though it may have been. Robert Browning Hamilton expressed this thought so wonderfully in verse:
I walked a mile with Pleasure
She chatted all the way,
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow
And ne'er a word said she;
But oh, the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me!
Atheism, of course, alleges that the problem of human suffering represents one of the more formidable arguments against the existence of a powerful and loving God. It is not my intention to respond to that baseless argument here.... At this point, it will suffice simply to say that God has, as an expression of His love (1 John 4:8), granted mankind free will (Joshua 24:15; cf. Isaiah 7:15). That free will enables human beings to make their own choices. Foolish choices can have devastating consequences (e.g., suffering). Thus, the responsibility for unwise choices is man's, not God's. The problem of human suffering is not irreconcilable with the love of a benevolent Creator. In this article, we will limit our discussion to the benefits that suffering can provide—if we are wise enough to learn the lessons.
"Where is God When I Hurt?" by Dave Miller, Ph.D.
No doubt many people over the centuries and throughout the world have rejected belief in the one true God on the grounds that they have witnessed or experienced great pain and suffering. Perhaps the loss of a loved one, or some other tragedy in their life, made them resentful and bitter toward God and life. By blaming God, somehow the pain seemed more bearable. But the Bible speaks definitively on this matter. And only the Bible can give us an accurate explanation for the existence of pain and suffering on the Earth.
Many great men and women in Bible history have preceded us in their attempts to live faithfully for God in the face of great hardship. Being human beings just like us, they faced the daily struggle to overcome self, sin, and Satan. They, too, had to cope with the stress and strain of life. They, too, had to endure hurt. We can learn from their behavior (Romans 15:4). If we will consider their lives and their reaction to the difficulties of life, we can receive from their example the necessary strength to endure. When we observe how they were mistreated and persecuted, and how they coped with their hurt, we can draw from them the needed encouragement to endure and achieve the victory.
House to House, Heart to Heart
"Why Do Bad Things Happen?" by Allen Webster
Th e most commonly asked question about God—which has been called the “Achilles Heel” of Christianity—is, “Why does a loving, all-powerful God allow suffering in His world?”
This is not the death knell for Christianity that some make it out to be. Even asking “Why do bad things happen to good people?” implies more than the secular viewpoint can explain:
• There are values in this universe;
• The universe is logical and orderly;
• People are important;
• Life is really worth living;
• We can find answers that will help us.
"Where to Turn When There is Nowhere to Turn" by Allen Webster
Abe Lincoln said, "I have often been driven to my knees by the sincere conviction that there was no where else to go."
The nobleman from Capernaum whose son was about to die had just about given up hope (John 4:46-54). The baby he had first held shortly after birth, the boy he had wrestled with on the floor of their living room, the son he hoped would care for him in his old age, was about to precede him through death's door.
Perhaps friends came by and told him about a miracle they had seen at a relative's wedding at Cana some weeks before. News about Jesus often spread fast to those who had needs (Mark 2:1-3; Mark 6:55-56; Mark 10:47). This man Jesus could do some amazing things. Maybe He could help the boy.
At first, he likely dismissed it as wishful thinking, but then he came to see it as his last ray of hope. What could it hurt anyway? He could ask. All Jesus could do is say, "No," or try and fail. Either way, it couldn't hurt. The boy was dying anyway. Besides, just maybe ... So "when he heard that Jesus was come ... into Galilee, he went unto him" (John 4:47).
"Three Tears from a Savior's Eye" by Allen Webster
Big boys don't cry. So we tell little boys when they fall. Then they read in their Bibles that Jesus wept. Does that mean He was a "sissy"? No. One has to consider the reason for the tears. Are they tears of weakness or strength? Of fear or compassion? Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3), and He wept on three occasions. Each time He left us the right example.
JESUS WEPT AT LAZARUS' TOMB (John 11:35)
The shortest verse of the Bible says a lot! It tells us that the Great Physician had good bedside manners. Jesus knew that people generally do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. He knew that Mary and Martha needed somebody to care about their pain. They had lost a brother and their hearts were breaking, so, even though He was about to resurrect Lazarus, He wept with those that wept (Romans 12:15; Job 30:25).