April 12, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 16

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025 The Elk City News Epicurus and Evil Part 2: Is God Willing to Prevent Evil? derstanding of God’s ho- coarse talking or crude liness, do not ask the sus- joking are not suitable, but picious “if ” or “why”; but rather giving thanks…. a trusting “when?”: “They no sexually immoral…or cried…”Lord, holy and true, greedy, idolatrous person, how long until You judge has an inheritance in the and avenge our blood from kingdom of the Messiah those…on the earth?” (Rev- and of God. (3 John 11; elation 6:10-11 HCSB) Ephesians 5:1-5 HCSB) If our questions are not Evil presently continues, rooted in the confidence not because God is un- of God’s absolute hatred caring; not because He is Area Church Directory of evil, the compost of our powerless; but because the Dixie Yoder Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 confusion becomes fertile eternal process of totally Assembly of God Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 In about 300 B.C., Epi- ground for the doubtful, eradicating evil requires Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 suspicious “if ” and “why”. time and patience. We’re Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist curus questioned the “why” 115 W. 5th St., Erick Accepting God’s pure, per- limited in our ability to Retrop Baptist Church Seventh-Day Adventist of evil in The Riddle of Ep- Pastor: Gary Griffin 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City fect love toward human- grasp God’s infinitely righ- Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 icurus: 580-303-0791 580-472-3472 kind by faith enables us teous purposes, which will Assembly of God Service times: If God is willing to pre- to trust God’s immutable, not be satisfied with any- 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study 580-928-4296 2:50 pm Church Service vent evil, but not able, He righteous hatred of evil, thing less than complete Jimmy Blanken, Min. Queen of All Saints is not omnipotent. If He even while waiting through elimination of evil, and 914 N. 5th St., Sayre times when injustice seems unequivocal acceptance of 580-928-2385 Methodist is able, but not willing, First Assembly of God Rev. Danny Grover He is malevolent. If He is to prevail. God’s perfect holiness and 2701 S. Randall , Elk City United Methodist justice. Knowing His char- 580-225-1167 both able and willing, then Kevin Akins, Min. St. Mathews Catholic 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk whence comes evil? If He God’s declaration of His acter enables us to accept 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City hatred of evil is a revela- by faith that God knows ex- 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 is neither able nor willing, Grandview Assembly of God Scott Rodgers, Rev. tion of His willingness and actly what He is doing, and Rev. Danny Grover why call Him God? Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City intent to destroy it: “… that He is never in error. 580-225-7742 Christian United Methodist The Lord knows those who Bryan Herrick Is God willing to prevent Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick evil? This important ques- are His, and everyone who (Psalm 37:12-15) The 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-526-3949 Baptist tion can only be accurately names the Name of the wicked scheme against the 580-243-0066 Jeff McDowell United Methodist answered in light of the true Lord must turn away from righteous, and gnashes Great Plains Baptist Assn. 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 character of God. unrighteousness (evil)… his teeth at him. The Lord 1902 Watts St., Sayre Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 the reverent, worshipful laughs at him because He 580-928-2585 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene From an earthly per- awe of the Lord includes sees that his day is coming. Bible Baptist Church 580-526-3284 the hatred of evil, pride, The wicked have drawn the First Church of The Nazarene spective, Habakkuk posed 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City 816 W. 6th St., Elk City arrogance…perverted and sword and strung the bow First Christian Church the question centuries ago: 580-225-5344 (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 does God actively oppose twisted speech He hates…” to bring down the afflicted 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages (2 Timothy 2:19; Proverbs and needy and to slaughter Central Missionary Baptist evil, or does He simply ig- 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 nore it because He can’t 8:13 HCSB) those whose way is upright. 580-225-0212 Pentecostal eliminate it? (Habakkuk Their swords will enter their First Christian 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple 1:13 HCSB) “Your eyes are It is God’s nature to hate own hearts, and their bows Eastside Baptist 601 W. 20th St, Elk City 580-928-3639 too pure to look on evil, and evil. We are instructed: “… will be broken. 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors You cannot tolerate wrong- do not imitate what is evil, 580-225-0742 Church of Christ Chase Brower, Min. Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La doing. So why do You tol- but what is good. The one Ministry through Infinite Church of Christ who does good is of God; Grace teaches how to live 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Pena erate those who are treach- Fairview Baptist 600 W. Main, Elk City the one who does evil has through difficult times on 580-225-0718 erous? Why are You silent 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes while the wicked swallows not seen God…be imitators the outside, and still expe- 580-225-0203 580-799-2964 up someone more righteous of God, as dearly loved chil- rience peace on the inside. 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick than himself?” dren…walk in love, as the Call 580-774-2884 today for First Baptist Douglas Holland, Minister Presbyterian 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City Messiah also loved us and your personal appointment, 580-225-7951 816-726-6988 Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian From the apocalyptic gave Himself for us. Sex- or for more information on 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City Worship 11am Sunday Throne Room, martyred ual immorality, impurity how you can be a part of First Baptist Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- 580-225-3130 or greed should not even this growing and essential 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick saints with an eternal un- 580-526-3375 day be heard of among you… ministry 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