In this Theology Lab conversation, Tim Mackie of The BibleProject (the Bible Project) explores one of humanity's oldest questions: Where does evil come from? Drawing from Genesis 1–11, Tim Mackie unpacks the Bible's foundational stories of good, evil, sin, suffering, violence, and human nature, showing how these themes shape the entire biblical narrative and ultimately point to Jesus. The interivew looks at stories Adam and Eve, Genesis 1-3, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and then moving on in Genesus, Cain and Abel, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel, tracing how human choices, disordered desires, and mistrust of God lead to the spread of violence and brokenness throughout the world. Tim also explains why the Bible presents goodness—not evil—as the most fundamental reality, and why evil is best understood as a distortion of God's good creation. This conversation explores key Christian theological ideas as well, including the problem of evil, freedom, biblical theology, wisdom, and the role Jesus plays in the vocation of humanity in the eyes of God. Theology Lab is about encouraging curiosity and courage for an everyday faith. The follow up episode will look at a topic related to our Beyond Simpe Answer series which focuses on pursuing a theological vision when simple answers aren't enough.

Learn more about the BibleProject at: bibleproject.com

Theology Lab's website is: theologylab.org

#TimMackie #BibleProject #Genesis #ProblemOfEvil

00:00 Evil is a parasite

00:53 Why turn to the Bible?

5:40 How does Genesis 1-11 illuminate evil's origins?

14:55: C.S. Lewis: Evil is a parasite

21:40 Jesus and Paul

In this episode of Beyond Simple Answers, hosts Scott Rice, Greg Fung, and Kristin T. Lee dive into one of Christianity’s oldest and most difficult questions: the problem of evil. Can Christian theology truly explain suffering, injustice, and pain in the world? Or does every answer eventually fall short?

The conversation explores the tension between classical theodicy, protest theology, liberation theology, and process theology, as the hosts debate whether these approaches genuinely answer the intellectual challenge of evil or simply shape how believers respond to it. Greg argues that liberation and protest theology are responses rather than full theodicies, while Scott defends their power to preserve hope in God’s goodness amid suffering. Kristin raises hard questions about whether any framework can fully satisfy the human longing for answers.

Along the way, the discussion wrestles with God’s power, human freedom, divine love, faith during suffering, and the hope of justice and resurrection. Drawing on themes from Job, liberation theology, and the teachings of Jesus, this episode offers a candid and nuanced Christian conversation about doubt, faith, suffering, justice, and the mystery of God’s presence in a broken world.

Learn more about Theology Lab at www.theologylab.org

The thumbnail title of this episode is inspired by theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer's claim, only a suffering God can help. In this Q&A episode of Theology Lab's Beyond Simple Answers, Scott Rice, Greg Fung, and Kristin T. Lee explore some of the deepest questions in Christian theology: Can protest be a faithful form of prayer? Why does it matter that Christ suffers with us? And can Christianity truly explain evil and suffering? Drawing from the Bible, the book of Job, the Psalms, liberation theology, process theology, and personal stories of grief and loss, this conversation wrestles honestly with the problem of evil, the goodness of God, and the meaning of suffering. The discussion explores whether lament, anger, and even protest toward God can be authentic expressions of faith. Kristin T. Lee reflects on protest prayer, grief, racial trauma, and the role of lament in Christian spirituality, drawing on authors like Cole Arthur Riley and Tasha Jun. Greg Fung discusses process theology, divine power, and why the presence of God in suffering raises difficult questions about evil and theodicy. Scott Rice explores what it means for Jesus Christ to suffer with humanity and what hope Christians can hold onto in the face of pain, death, injustice, and unanswered questions. This episode also dives into:

The problem of evil and suffering

Protest theology and liberation theology

Faith and doubt

Theodicy and God’s goodness

Jesus’ suffering and the cross

Prayer, lament, and grief

Heaven, hell, forgiveness, and judgment

Can Christians question God?

Why suffering challenges faith

If you’ve ever struggled with suffering, questioned God, or wondered whether Christianity has satisfying answers to evil, this conversation is for you.

#Christianity #Theology #ProblemOfEvil #Jesus #Prayer #Theodicy #LiberationTheology #ProcessTheology #Bible #God #ChristianPodcast

www.theologylab.org

https://colearthurriley.com/writing/project-one-64g3t

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63009311-tell-me-the-dream-again

In this episode of Theology Lab's Beyond Simple Answers, Scott Rice sits down with Jasper Su and his mother, Vivian Su, for an honest conversation about faith, doubt, suffering, theology, and the beauty of asking hard questions. What happens when a lifelong Christian wrestles with uncertainty? Can questioning God actually deepen faith instead of destroying it? Jasper shares his journey through doubt, intellectual struggle, and spiritual curiosity, while Vivian reflects on parenting with grace, openness, and unconditional love.

Together, they explore: Christian doubt and deconstruction

Faith and uncertainty

Parenting adult children in faith

The problem of suffering and God’s presence

Why questioning can lead to deeper belief

This episode might speak to folks who have ever felt like a “bad Christian” for asking difficult questions, and for parents, pastors, and faith communities trying to create safer spaces for authentic spiritual conversations.

#Christianity #FaithAndDoubt #Deconstruction #theologypodcasts #BeyondSimpleAnswers #ChristianFaith

What happens when a mother and son publicly wrestle with one of Christianity’s hardest questions? In this bonus episode of Theology Lab’s Beyond Simple Answers series, Scott Rice sits down with Vivian Su and Jasper Su for an honest conversation about God, suffering, faith, doubt, and the problem of evil. Vivian shares how trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness has sustained her through life’s hardest realities, while Jasper opens up about his struggle to reconcile an all-loving, all-powerful God with the suffering he sees in the world. Together, they explore: Why suffering exists Whether good must come through pain The emotional tension between trust and understanding The Book of Job and unanswered questions How family members can disagree deeply without losing love and respect This isn’t a debate. It’s a vulnerable, thoughtful conversation about faith, doubt, and what it means to wrestle honestly with God.

Learn more about Theology Lab here: www.theologylab.org

#TheologyLab #ProblemOfEvil #FaithAndDoubt #Christianity #Theology #Job #Suffering #FaithJourney

Why does God allow suffering? Is it okay if we don’t have a complete answer? In this final episode of Theology Lab's first Beyond Simple Answers, we reflect on one of Christianity’s hardest questions: why did God create a world with evil and pain? We explore different Christian responses to suffering—including protest theology, liberation theology, and process theology—and ask whether faith requires certainty. Can you wrestle with God and still trust God? Does God need to explain suffering, or is God's presence enough? This conversation challenges simple answers and offers a more honest, nuanced approach to faith, doubt, and theology. If you’ve ever questioned God in the face of suffering, this episode is for you.

Learn more about Theology Lab: www.theologylab.org

Why does God allow suffering? Is it okay if we don’t have a complete answer? In this final episode of Theology Lab's first Beyond Simple Answers, we reflect on one of Christianity’s hardest questions: why did God create a world with evil and pain? We explore different Christian responses to suffering—including protest theology, liberation theology, and process theology—and ask whether faith requires certainty. Can you wrestle with God and still trust God? Does God need to explain suffering, or is God's presence enough? This conversation challenges simple answers and offers a more honest, nuanced approach to faith, doubt, and theology. If you’ve ever questioned God in the face of suffering, this episode is for you.

YouTube/Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/-t6ZGuFwMi8

In this Beyond Simple Answers episode Scott, Greg, and Kristin explore the Bible, suffering, creation, and the problem of evil in passages like Philippians 2, the book of Job, Lamentations, and the stories of Hagar and Gethsemane. Returning to previous discussions, they look back at Process and Liberation theology's themes of justice and noncoercive love, as well aa prayer. Why does Job accept God's response? How do believers hold together anger and faith? It's a human conversation, animated by a desire to believe, that looks at suffering, divine power, and faith -- and the many complexities that arise in between in these topics. Beyond Simple Answers episodes are part of Theology Lab. We aim at seeking out a theological vision when simple answers fall aren't enough. And the conversations are geared towards anyone who might be amidst processes like deconstruction and reconstruction of faith, or who just wants curiosity and thinking to play a more important part of your faith life. Thanks for giving some of your time to engage this. We really do appreciate that and hope it might be helpful in some way.

📚 Check out Kristin's new book! We Mend With Gold

www.theologylab.org

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00:00 Introduction

01:15: Power Via Weakness? Philippians 2

06:30 Job!

11:05 Does God play 'the God card'?

15:00 Jesus prays in anguish, the cross

In this Theology Lab episode with Brad East, we explore how the Bible speaks about spiritual warfare, sin, Satan, and cosmic forces—and how Brad understands the ongoing meaning of these ideas today. Brad brings in perspective from the charismatic and pentecostal tradition of Christianity. This episodes looks at topics like exorcism, the authority of Jesus in the Gospels, and how Scripture frames both personal sin and systemic evil.

As cultural trends show a renewed interest in spiritual realities, this conversation asks what Christians should take seriously without falling into fear or caricature. What does it mean to live in light of spiritual warfare in daily life?

Check out Brad's most recent book, and the article mentioned in the episode from Christianity Today:

📚 Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry

📰 The Way We Debate Atonement Is a Mess

Theology Lab discussion with Brad East on Penal Substitution: Apple Podcasts

Spotify

www.theologylab.org

Music Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGE

In this thought-provoking episode, Scott, Greg, and Kristin dive deep into one of the most enduring questions in Christian theology: the problem of evil. Through an engaging and honest conversation, they explore four major theological frameworks—protest theodicy, process theology, person-making theodicy, and liberation theology—and reflect on how each shapes faith, doubt, and lived experience.

Kristin shares why protest theodicy resonates so personally, framing faith as an ongoing, honest dialogue with God marked by lament, questioning, and deep trust. Scott and Greg affirm its biblical roots while wrestling with the emotional and spiritual weight of living in constant protest.

The conversation then shifts to process theology, where Greg highlights its intellectual appeal and its reimagining of God’s power as persuasive rather than coercive. Together, the hosts discuss how this model brings clarity—but also raises difficult questions about divine intervention, suffering, and certainty.

Next, they tackle person-making theodicy, debating whether suffering can truly be understood as a pathway to growth. While acknowledging its limited scope in addressing extreme evil, the group considers whether it still offers insight into everyday struggles and spiritual formation.

Finally, the episode closes with a passionate discussion on liberation theology, a perspective Kristin champions for its call to action. Emphasizing God’s solidarity with the oppressed, this model invites believers to actively participate in confronting injustice and suffering in the world.

Throughout the episode, Scott, Greg, and Kristin balance theology with real-life implications—asking not just what we believe, but how we live in light of suffering, injustice, and faith.

If you’re searching for a deeper understanding of Christian responses to suffering, faith and doubt, or theological perspectives on evil, this episode offers a rich, honest, and nuanced exploration.

📚 Check out Kristin's new book! We Mend With Gold

www.theologylab.org

Music Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGE