Owen's Real Problem

While Tony was standing on Bruin Walk (UCLA) handing out tracts and holding his 'Stop and Talk' cross, a student named Owen approached him and asked him what he was handing out. That was the beginning of one of the most remarkable conversations Tony has ever had with an unbeliever.

Owen was raised in a Christian home. According to Owen, to this day his entire family are Christians. Owen was a 'Christian,' too, until the age of 18. That is when he learned about 'theodicy,' the study of the problem of evil.

For almost an hour, Tony and Owen talked about theodicy, logic, the law, and the gospel. Owen is one of the most honest unbelievers with whom Tony has spoken. But Owen was honest, only up to a point. Owen tried to cling to his assertion that the reason he no longer believes in Jesus is because of the problem with evil. But by the end of the conversation, Owen realized that was not his real problem.