Problem of Evil

A glinting bullet tumbles through a shaft of golden light, spinning gently before striking a gnarled oak branch. the impact sends a small avalanche of bark and leaves cascading to the forest floor. in the distance, a dark thunderstorm rumbles ominously, while shafts of sunlight pierce the clouds, illuminating the scene in an ethereal glow.

A Sovereign Bullet: Finding Unshakeable Hope in God’s Meticulous Providence

This is a masterclass in pastoral theology, delivering a robust, God-centered exposition on the doctrine of meticulous providence. The sermon skillfully navigates the problem of evil by grounding God's sovereignty in the crucifixion of Christ (Acts 4:27-28), demonstrating how God ordains sinful acts for His redemptive purposes without being the author of sin. The application flows directly from the doctrine, providing profound comfort for the suffering and a powerful apologetic for missional courage. The pastor's distinction between God's sovereign will and revealed will is clear and essential. This is a doctrinally precise and pastorally courageous message.

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A shattered mirror reflects fragmented, distorted images in a dimly lit room, the cracks casting eerie shadows on the walls.

When Comforting the Hurting Compromises the God Who Saves

This topical sermon on suffering demonstrates a commendable pastoral heart but is built on a critically flawed theological foundation. By explicitly rejecting divine 'predeterminism' in favor of human 'free will' and by asserting that not all events are God's will, the sermon functionally denies God's exhaustive sovereignty and promotes a synergistic view of salvation. Furthermore, the observance of Communion without fencing the table represents a serious liturgical and ecclesiological failure. The low ratio of Scripture to commentary leaves the congregation with human reasoning rather than the Word of God as its primary source of comfort.

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A weathered stone archway, overgrown with creeping vines, frames a distant vista of rolling hills shrouded in fog. the arch crumbles slightly at the edges, hinting at the passage of time and the inevitable decay of all earthly structures. a shaft of golden light pierces the mist, illuminating the archway and casting long shadows across the landscape. the light seems to eelementate from the very heart of the fog itself, suggesting a hidden source of hope and redemption, even amidst the bleakness of the scene.

Theological Review: ‘The Power of Forgiveness’ by Toni Ruth Smith

The sermon attempts to tackle the problem of evil but does so by denying God's meticulous providence and affirming a synergistic view of salvation. This foundational error, coupled with an Open Communion practice and a very low text-to-talk ratio, presents a significant departure from biblical orthodoxy.

Read MoreTheological Review: ‘The Power of Forgiveness’ by Toni Ruth Smith