Is God Really Good? Faith, Gender Violence & Finding God in the Worst Headlines

If you've ever sat in church, smiled at the right moments, and responded "all the time" when the preacher said "God is good" — all while quietly wondering if that's actually true — this episode is for you.In the Season 2 premiere of The Pursuit Podcast, Pastor Josh tackles one of the most honest and difficult questions in the Christian faith: Is God really good? Especially when we're watching women and children lose their lives to violence. Especially when the suffering isn't happening overseas — it's happening right here at home.Pastor Josh opens with a theological foundation rooted in the concept of theodicy — the centuries-old question of how a good God and evil in the world can coexist — and unpacks the critical difference between God's perfect will and permissive will. Then he brings on returning guest Pastor Tyra Bethea, author of What Would Jesus Do? and founder of Altogether Ministries, for a candid, compassionate conversation about faith, gender-based violence, allyship, and the work it takes to hold onto a good God when you've experienced something very bad.In this episode:What does the Bible actually say about God's goodness? (Mark 10:18, Psalm 34:8, John 10:11)The difference between God's perfect will and permissive will — and why it mattersHow to separate the actions of people from the character of GodWhat the church has gotten wrong about submission and Ephesians 5What it means for men to be true allies against gender violenceHow survivors can hold onto faith while processing traumaWhy education and reframing abuse is the first step toward healing