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Divine Mysteries: Exploring the Trinity, Evil, and Human Destiny  /  Lessons God Has Taught Me  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 1
David Bercot opens by saying “there is no evil that God permits in this world…from which God can’t teach us lessons…if we’ll only let Him.” What picture of God’s sovereignty and intentions is he assuming here, and what kinds of suffering or “evil” make that claim hardest to accept without feeling like God is being made the author of evil?
Another way to ask: Bercot says God can teach us something through any evil we face if we let Him. What view of God’s control and goals is he assuming, and what kinds of suffering make this feel like it blames God for evil?

Direct Answer Based on David Bercot’s teaching, he assumes God remains sovereign even when He “permits” evil, and that God’s intention is to teach and form Christians through every hardship—if we respond rightly. The transcript doesn’t list specific “hardest cases,” but his claim would be most emotionally difficult when the evil looks senseless or deeply unjust.

Support from Transcript:

  • He states broadly: “there is no evil that God permits in this world…no hardships, no disappointments, or failures…from which God can’t teach us lessons…if we’ll only let Him do that.”
  • He frames learning as a main purpose of Christian life: “one of the primary purposes…is to learn…from the school of life.”
  • He highlights that life’s “tests” are meant to teach: “In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”
  • He emphasizes human response: “Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.”
  • He does not say God causes evil; he uses the language of God “permits” evil and brings lessons through it.
Discussion Follow-ups What helps you keep “God permits” distinct from “God authors”? Which situations tempt you to stop believing God intends to teach and redeem your suffering?

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