| • Introduction to a new series on Habakkuk | |
| • Reading and interpretation of Habakkuk 1:1-13 | |
| • Addressing the problem of evil and suffering in relation to God's goodness and power | |
| • Personal story of crisis of faith and spiritual depression | |
| • Connection between the problem of evil and Habakkuk's experience | |
| • Acknowledging that many people struggle with similar doubts and questions | |
| • Habakkuk's struggle with evil in the world | |
| • The problem of why evil exists | |
| • God's sovereignty and reasons for all things, including evil | |
| • Historical context: the prophet Habakkuk, Judah, and Babylon | |
| • The background to Habakkuk's prophecy: Babylon's rise to power, defeat of Assyria, and conflict with Egypt | |
| • Judah's history with Babylon: from allies to vassal state | |
| • The betrayal felt by Judah towards Babylon | |
| • The local concerns in Judah: corruption and abuse of religious leaders, the paralyzed law, and injustice | |
| • Habakkuk's cry out to God amidst evil and suffering | |
| • Habakkuk's reaction to the abuses of power and exploitation of the poor in his world | |
| • The problem of evil and why God allows suffering and injustice to exist | |
| • The limitation of human perspective and understanding of God's intentions | |
| • The concept of sovereignty and control, with God being in charge of all history | |
| • Humility and trusting that God can be God despite not knowing the reasons for suffering | |
| • The Christian God's sovereignty and plan amidst human suffering | |
| • Peter Kreeft's quote on the Christian God deliberately experiencing pain through Jesus Christ | |
| • Christianity providing resources for facing suffering with hope and courage | |
| • Trusting in God's goodness despite evil and injustice in the world | |
| • Worship as a response to evil, doubts, and hardships, leading to rest for one's soul | |
| • The importance of community in times of crisis and struggle |