263. From God to Jerry to You- The Problem of Evil and the Kingdom of God

263. From God to Jerry to You- The Problem of Evil and the Kingdom of God

Author: Jerry L. Martin December 25, 2025 Duration: 14:44

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In Episode 263 of God: An Autobiography, The Podcast, philosopher Jerry L. Martin reflects on one of the most enduring and difficult questions in philosophy and theology: the problem of evil.

In this From God to Jerry to You episode, Jerry describes a pivotal moment near the end of his spiritual journey, when what he calls the “impossible puzzle” finally came together. Drawing on John D. Levinson’s Creation and the Persistence of Evil, Jerry explains how God affirmed a radical insight—that the world, and even God’s presence within it, can be understood as incomplete and still unfolding.

The episode introduces two complementary ways of seeing reality: a horizontal perspective, in which struggle, disorder, and moral effort unfold over time, and a vertical perspective, in which ultimate meaning, goodness, and victory are already present. Through this lens, human action—acts of obedience, love, and partnership with God—becomes essential to the healing and completion of the world.

Jerry also reflects on the Kingdom of God, not as a distant future event, but as a living reality made present through love. Seen in this light, Jesus is not merely a historical figure, but a cosmic presence—one who embodies God’s full presence in the world and serves as a conduit to the Kingdom of God.

This episode offers a thoughtful, non-reductionist approach to suffering, meaning, and faith, and will resonate with listeners wrestling with the limits of purely material explanations of reality.

Listen, reflect, and experience the world from God’s perspective — as it was told to a philosopher.


Other Series:

The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:

The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.

From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.

Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.

Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.

What’s Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.

What’s On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.

What’s On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. 

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Imagine a philosopher, a dedicated scholar who spent his life in the realm of ideas without a trace of faith, suddenly finding himself in a dialogue he never sought. GOD: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher-The Podcast is the unfolding account of Dr. Jerry L. Martin, a lifelong agnostic and former head of the National Endowment for the Humanities, who one day offered a prayer and received a clear, verbal response. This isn't a theoretical exercise or a sermon; it's a personal chronicle of what happened next, as a trained thinker with deep skepticism began asking the big questions about existence, purpose, and human nature, and recorded the answers he received. Each episode moves this extraordinary narrative forward, blending the disciplines of philosophy, spirituality, and raw personal experience. You'll hear Dr. Martin's thoughtful reflections on these conversations, which span topics from the nature of the divine to the practical challenges of living an ethical life, all grounded in his academic background. This podcast invites you into a story that challenges preconceptions, not to persuade but to present a profound and documented experience. It's for anyone curious about the intersection of intellect and the ineffable, where a philosopher's quest for truth took an utterly unexpected turn. The journey detailed here resonates across categories of religion, culture, and society, offering a unique perspective that is both deeply human and mysteriously transcendent.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 278

GOD: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher - The Podcast
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