how does this picture make you feel? what ‘evil’ does this picture show?

How does this picture make you feel?

What ‘evil’ does this picture show?

Evil

• Objective: To explore what we mean by evil.• Outcome: 1. How do we define evil?2. Be able to explain why evil causes a problem

for Christians.3. Know some responses for the problem of evil.

(Completed for H/W)

1. How do we define evil?

Natural evil is ... Moral evil is ...

Evil is ....

The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it. – Albert Einstein

All good is hard. All evil is easy. Dying, losing, cheating, and mediocrity is easy. Stay away from easy – Alexander Scott.

My own definition of evil is ....

2. Problem of evil for Christians

• Go back to the definition of God we explored in earlier lessons.

• Use this to explain why evil is a problem for believers.

• Evil causes a problem for Christians because....

Pastor Martin Niemöller• In Germany they first came for the Communists,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me — and by that time no one was left to speak up.

• Use pictures to explain what this poem is saying• What is pastor Niemoller saying about evil.

The problem of evil • Copy this triangle – fill in the gaps.

• Why do you think its called the inconsistent triad

Evil exists

God is omni... God is omni

God is omni benevolent (all

3. Responses to evil.

• Some people may say that suffering is a ‘necessary evil’. What do you think they mean by this?

• Mind-map what may be reasons for evil and suffering to exist.

Christian responses to evil.1. It is a test2. We would not be free without evil3. It helps us to learn4. We could not appreciate the good if not for the

bad5. It’s a punishment• (vote with your feet, 1 being agree – 5 being

disagree)• H/W – write your opinion next to each one, e.g.

I do not agree that evil is a test because ....

how does this picture make you feel? what ‘evil’ does this picture show?

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