April 5, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 14

Page Text

RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2025 The Elk City News Epicurus and Evil Humankind is finite, and thoughts without distorting inherently limited in ability the nature of God. The great to fully understand infinite love of God is the theme of God. But our understand- the Good News present- ing is unnecessarily ham- ed to humankind in Eden pered by our foundation- (Genesis 3:15). God’s Name al assumption of cynical is love; His nature is to love mistrust toward God. The and give. Only as we believe Epicurean questions seem what He tells us about Him- closely related to The Lie self, can we begin to receive presented in Eden; satu- from Him and love Him rated in suspicion of God’s back. “Now without faith it character: “Did God real- is impossible to please God, ly….?” Satan continued that for the one who draws near Area Church Directory Dixie Yoder cynical line of questioning to Him must believe that Part 1: The Nature of God in the wilderness: “If You He exists and rewards those Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 and Humanity are the Son of God, then…” who seek Him.” (Hebrews Assembly of God Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 (Matthew 4:1-10) 11:6 HCSB) Assembly of God Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Seventh-Day Adventist “Dr. Dixie, most of the 115 W. 5th St., Erick Retrop Baptist Church Seventh-Day Adventist questions you respond to Evil always involves the The Nature of Man: The Pastor: Gary Griffin Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City hint at the Epicurean prob- choices made by people in heart (of man) is deceitful 580-303-0791 580-472-3472 Assembly of God Service times: lem of evil. In response to indwelling sin above all things, and it is 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic and the devil; and God’s exceedingly perverse, cor- 2:00 pm Bible Study your column, “God won’t 580-928-4296 2:50 pm Church Service good work in the middle of rupt and severely, mortally Queen of All Saints give you more than you can Jimmy Blanken, Min. 914 N. 5th St., Sayre handle,” you allude to an sin-produced evil. Two es- sick! Who can know it— 580-928-2385 Methodist sential, primary questions perceive, understand, be First Assembly of God omni- 2701 S. Randall , Elk City Rev. Danny Grover benevolent, omnipotent, must be answered before acquainted (fully) with his United Methodist 580-225-1167 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk omniscient Being allow- useful discussion can take own heart and mind? (Jer- Kevin Akins, Min. St. Mathews Catholic 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City ing “evil”, but I didn’t think place: emiah 17:9 AMPC). God 580-225-0262 580-225-0066 you answered the question clearly hates evil. It’s also Grandview Assembly of God Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. 1. What is the true nature clearly evident that from Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City (of God’s role in evil). It of God? the moment sin came into 580-225-7742 Christian United Methodist appears you believe satan Bryan Herrick 2. What is the true nature the world, humankind has Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick motivates individuals to 580-526-3949 of man? pursued evil from a mor- Baptist 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City malicious behavior—evil 580-243-0066 that’s different than “evils’ tally corrupt nature. Evil is Jeff McDowell United Methodist The Nature of God: God not a “God-problem”; evil Great Plains Baptist Assn. such as earthquakes, floods 1902 Watts St., Sayre 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 or collapsing buildings that is the Source of the good is instigated and perpetrat- Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 580-928-2585 kill so many. How can we news of the Gospel. The ed by humankind, in direct 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene very idea of salvation would opposition to the 580-526-3284 include these catastrophes Bible Baptist Church First Church of The Nazarene in our worldview without be nonsense if not for the righteous holiness of 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City fact that God’s very nature God. Out of His perfect, 580-225-5344 stripping God of authori- (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 ty?” is love. But God is not love unlimited goodness, He 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages Central Missionary Baptist apart from any other attri- promises to bring good out 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 In about 300 B.C., Epi- butes. Those who teach that of every situation for those 580-225-0212 Pentecostal First Christian curus addressed the prob- God is love without teach- who love Him. 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple ing that God is also hatred Eastside Baptist lem of the existence of evil 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 601 W. 20th St, Elk City in The Riddle of Epicurus: of sin and evil have, in real- Ministry through In- 580-225-0742 Church of Christ Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors ity, another god: satan with finite Grace teaches how Chase Brower, Min. Church of Christ Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La “If God is willing to pre- a mask on. to live through difficult Pena 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City vent evil, but not able, He times on the outside, and Fairview Baptist 580-225-0718 600 W. Main, Elk City The one true God so hat- still experience peace 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City is not omnipotent. If He 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes is able, but not willing, ed sin that He gave His only on the inside. Call 580- 580-799-2964 He is malevolent. If He is begotten Son; the one true 774-2884 today for your First Baptist 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick Presbyterian God so loved the world that personal appointment, or Douglas Holland, Minister both able and willing, then 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 816-726-6988 whence comes evil? If He He gave His only begotten for more information on 580-225-7951 Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian is neither able nor willing, Son. These two sentences how you can be a part of Worship 11am Sunday 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City First Baptist why call Him God?” state identical truths. We this growing and essen- 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- 580-225-3130 cannot separate these two tial ministry. 580-526-3375 day Jason Klechner, Min. Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Non-Denominational Wednesday The Way Church First Baptist 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City 504 N. 4th St., Sayre Church of Christ Elk City 580-928-5518 Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-225-5295 Elk City Community 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City First Hispanic Baptist 580-225-1184 919 W. 8th St., Elk City Northeast Church of Christ 580-225-7901 616 N. Locust Avenue 580-225-4395 Gateway 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City Main Street Baptist 580-225-1184 1101 N. Main St., Elk City Westside Church of Christ 580-225-3052 Curtis Newton, Min. 580-225-2938 Church of God The Link Mt. Carmal Baptist 200 S. Main, Elk City 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 501 W. 1st, Elk City 580-225-2061 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. Trinity Fellowship Sayre One Church Jehovah’s Witnesses 580-928-2345 200 East Broadway, Elk City 580-210-8881 Jehovah’s Witnesses 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre Christ Ministiries Kevin Brosius (pastor) 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-928-9330 580-243-9708 Prairie View Baptist Lutheran I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City Pastor Tod Thornton Christ Lutheran 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000