April 19, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 16

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2025 The Elk City News Epicurus and Evil Part 3: Is God Able to Prevent Evil? rience the fullest possible families and humankind to earthly victory over evil until remain productive and re- we accept the still-amazing sponsible even in the face of authority that believers— tragedy and great loss. Those God’s representatives—have of faith seem to do this by through salvation, even in accepting loss, no matter this sin-damaged world. how horrific…following the processes of grieving… and God created humankind transferring our inability to in His own image—so much understand into a state of ac- like Him that we, under His ceptance and peace.” sovereignty, are able to rule over His marvelous creation. Evil does not continue Area Church Directory Even when the first man re- strong because God is negli- Dixie Yoder Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 belled against His benevo- gent or uncaring, but because Assembly of God Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 In 300 B.C., Epicurus at- lent authority, God honored so many people don’t know Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 the gift of choice He had the Lord Jesus, and because Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist tempted to address the prob- 115 W. 5th St., Erick given His beloved human- many who have received sal- Retrop Baptist Church Seventh-Day Adventist lem of evil in The Riddle of Pastor: Gary Griffin 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City kind. Our choices are often vation indulge evil through Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 Epicurus: 580-303-0791 580-472-3472 selfish and always limited; spiritual ignorance and care- Assembly of God Service times: If God is willing to prevent frequently resulting in harm, less behavior. 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study 580-928-4296 2:50 pm Church Service evil, but not able, He is not danger and destruction to Jimmy Blanken, Min. Queen of All Saints omnipotent. If He is able, but people and creation. Car and God describes His righ- 914 N. 5th St., Sayre plane crashes are an exam- teous hatred of evil, and His 580-928-2385 Methodist not willing, He is malevolent. First Assembly of God Rev. Danny Grover If He is both able and willing, ple. These tragedies, while intent and plan to eradicate 2701 S. Randall , Elk City United Methodist not necessarily caused by evil it: first through the death and 580-225-1167 then whence comes evil? If Kevin Akins, Min. St. Mathews Catholic 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk He is neither able nor willing, intent, are certainly injurious. resurrection of His Son; sub- 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City sequently, through the activi- 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 why call Him God? Grandview Assembly of God Scott Rodgers, Rev. Earthquakes, volcanoes, ty of His righteous people on Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City Rev. Danny Grover Is God able to prevent evil? tornados, floods, drought— earth, as we represent Him 580-225-7742 Christian United Methodist the terrible, often deadly and live in daily partnership Bryan Herrick Are natural disasters and Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick man-caused catastrophes events that we call “natural with Him. 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-526-3949 Baptist evil? Since God “so loves” His disasters” are only natural to a 580-243-0066 Jeff McDowell United Methodist world, why doesn’t He stop creation contaminated by sin. Titus 2:11-14 (HCSB): Great Plains Baptist Assn. 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 evil? We’ll consider these im- These destructive phenom- “For the grace of God has ap- 1902 Watts St., Sayre Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 enons did not exist in God’s peared, with salvation for all 580-928-2585 portant questions in light of 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene the true character of God. perfect creation. Romans people, instructing us to deny Bible Baptist Church 580-526-3284 8:20-25 tells us that creation godlessness and worldly lusts; First Church of The Nazarene 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City 816 W. 6th St., Elk City is experiencing calamity in to live in a sensible, righteous, First Christian Church From Epicurus, Part 1: “Dr. 580-225-5344 (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 Dixie, It appears you believe common with humankind; and godly way in the present 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages sympathizing with us in ex- age, while we wait for the Central Missionary Baptist Satan motivates individuals 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 to malicious behavior; evil pectation of relief from suf- blessed hope and the appear- 580-225-0212 Pentecostal that’s different than “evils’ fering. (Strongs NT4862) ing of the glory of our great First Christian 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple such as Japan’s earthquake, God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Eastside Baptist 601 W. 20th St, Elk City 580-928-3639 tornadoes or other natural di- A reader comments: “By 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors sasters. How can we include seeing God’s divinity, we can Ministry through Infinite 580-225-0742 Church of Christ Chase Brower, Min. Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La these catastrophes in our realize that oftentimes, His Grace teaches how to live Church of Christ plan is beyond our compre- through difficult times on 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Pena worldview without stripping Fairview Baptist 600 W. Main, Elk City hension, but most certainly the outside, while still expe- 580-225-0718 God of authority?” 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes has purpose...our minds are riencing peace on the inside. 580-225-0203 580-799-2964 We can’t accurately grasp much too fragile for full un- Call 580-774-2884 today for 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick the horrific extent of human- derstanding of something your personal appointment, First Baptist Douglas Holland, Minister Presbyterian 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City kind’s rebellion on creation like the death toll of an earth- or for more information on 580-225-7951 816-726-6988 Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian until we genuinely recognize quake. how you can be a part of this 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City Worship 11am Sunday the unspeakable evil of sin growing and essential minis- First Baptist Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- 580-225-3130 But while on earth, we try. 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick and satan. We won’t expe- 580-526-3375 day have a responsibility to our 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