Is GodUnfair?Is GodUnfair?

Haec credam a deo pio? A deo iusto, a deo scito?

Cruciatus in crucem. Tuus in terra servus, nuntius fui. Officium perfeci.

Cruciatus in crucem. Eas in crucem!

Haec credam a deo pio? A deo iusto, a deo scito?

Cruciatus in crucem. Tuus in terra servus, nuntius fui. Officium perfeci.

Cruciatus in crucem. Eas in crucem!

Is GodUnfair?Is GodUnfair?

1.1. Deny God exists

Deny God exists

Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

2.2. Turn against God

Turn against God

Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

Job 2:9 (NLT)Job 2:9 (NLT)

His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

3.3. Claim that God can’t do anything

Claim that God can’t do anything

Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

“Even God has a hard time keeping chaos in check… [God is] a God of justice and not of power.”

~ Rabbi Harold Kushner

“Even God has a hard time keeping chaos in check… [God is] a God of justice and not of power.”

~ Rabbi Harold Kushner

“If that’s who God is, why doesn’t he resign and let someone more competent take his place?”

~ Elie Wiesel

“If that’s who God is, why doesn’t he resign and let someone more competent take his place?”

~ Elie Wiesel

4.4. Unfairness is a temporary condition… things will balance out

Unfairness is a temporary condition… things will balance out

Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

5.5. Insist that life is fair

Insist that life is fair

Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

Job 11:13-16 (NLT)

Job 11:13-16 (NLT)

“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten in

“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten in

Job 11:13-16 (NLT)

Job 11:13-16 (NLT)

innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery. It will all be gone like water under the bridge.”

innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery. It will all be gone like water under the bridge.”

6.6. Search for hidden meaning

Search for hidden meaning

Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

7.7. Accept that life is unfair

Accept that life is unfair

Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:Possible Reactions to the Unfairness of Life:

“To tell you the truth, Philip, I didn’t feel any disappointment with God… We tend to think, ‘Life should be fair because God is fair.’ And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life – by expecting constant good health, for example – then I set myself up for a crashing disappointment.”

~ “Douglas” in Disappointment With God

“To tell you the truth, Philip, I didn’t feel any disappointment with God… We tend to think, ‘Life should be fair because God is fair.’ And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life – by expecting constant good health, for example – then I set myself up for a crashing disappointment.”

~ “Douglas” in Disappointment With God

Life is unfair; God isn’t.

Life is unfair; God isn’t.

Job 13:15 (KJV)Job 13:15 (KJV)

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…

Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT)Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT)

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from

Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT)Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT)

your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Acts 7:59-60 (NLT)Acts 7:59-60 (NLT)

And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don't charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don't charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

The Cross is the ultimate answer to

the question of unfairness.

The Cross is the ultimate answer to

the question of unfairness.

Jesus offers no way out of the unfairness, but rather a way through it to the other side.

~ Philip Yancey

Jesus offers no way out of the unfairness, but rather a way through it to the other side.

~ Philip Yancey