Podcast Summary: "The Already But The Not Yet"

Podcast: Apologetics
Episode: The Already But The Not Yet
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Apologetics

Episode Overview

In this episode, the host explores the Christian idea of living in the tension between the "already" and the "not yet" — the present reality of a fallen world contrasted with the hope of future restoration through Christ. Drawing primarily from Romans 8, the discussion weaves together theology, personal examples, and scriptural reflection to equip believers to defend and understand faith amidst suffering. The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina serves as a poignant backdrop, highlighting loss and the persistent question: Why does a good God allow suffering?

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Living With Loss (00:00–06:40)

• Reflection on Suffering: The host recalls local losses from Hurricane Katrina, using vivid imagery of people pointing out places that "used to be," underscoring the ache of things lost unexpectedly.
  • "There's any number of Katrinas that can enter our world and upset it and change it in ways that make it unrecognizable." (03:20)
• Universal Experience of Loss: Beyond Katrina, everyone experiences their own personal catastrophes—bereavement, illness, or drastic life changes.
• The Problem of Evil and Suffering:
  • The unavoidable question: If God is good and in control, why does suffering exist? Even if you accept a theological answer ("because of sin"), what about specific, personal suffering?
  • "What I can't understand is why one took out my house, why one destroyed my church. That gets more tricky when you accept it exists in the abstract. But then you have to look in the particular and say, well, why did that happen to me?" (05:02)

The Origin of Suffering: Genesis and the Fall (06:41–13:00)

• Creation’s Original Goodness: Genesis 1–2 paint a world without hardship—no hurricanes, no illness, no death.
• The Fall: Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, fracturing not just their relationship with God but the very fabric of creation.
  • "They introduced through their sin a vile scarlet strain into Eden's tranquil world." (10:37)
• The Consequences: It’s not just about broken relationships; all creation was “thrust...into chaos.” (11:10)

Romans 8: Present Suffering Versus Future Glory (13:00–23:20)

• Romans 8:18-19 Read and Explained
  • “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.” (14:10)
• Two Key Reminders from Romans 8:18:
  1. Suffering is Temporary: Whatever pain is experienced now, it is short-lived compared to eternity.
     • "That sense of loss, it's temporary. The sense of loss that we have...God's message to you is, hey, this is short-lived." (15:40)
  2. Future Glory is Incomparably Greater:
     • "You could take all that suffering, mount it up together...it doesn't begin to compare with what the future holds for you." (16:20)
• Paul’s Credibility on Suffering: Paul, who suffered intensely, assures believers that present hardship pales next to the promised glory.
  • “On the balance of the scales of eternity, he says there's no comparison.” (17:45)
• Personal Example: Paul’s own vision of the “third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12) assures him—and encourages listeners—that heavenly reality is indescribably good.
  • “What he saw there, what he heard there was inexpressible.” (18:33)

The Fall’s Effect on Creation (23:21–31:30)

• Romans 8:20-23: Creation Groans
  • The world is in a state of decay and futility—not by its own choice, but through humanity’s fall. (23:40)
  • “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope.” (23:55)
• Thorns, Thistles, and Toil: The consequences extend from humanity to the ground itself; the work becomes difficult, the world hostile.
  • “Sin has side effects...One drop will permanently discolor the entire thing. It will affect every molecule within the water itself. That's the nature of sin.” (28:10)
• Broad Implications: Choices and sins have ramifications we can't foresee; the fall was a cosmic catastrophe with far-reaching ripple effects.
• A Persistent Hope:
  • Even in judgment, God makes a redemptive promise (Genesis 3:15—“the seed”).
  • The fact humanity’s story continues past Genesis 3 is evidence of God’s intent to redeem.
  • “The fact you can flip past that page reminds the promise he made there in Genesis 3:15, that although man had sinned, God was not yet done with us.” (30:53)

Redemption Extends Beyond Humanity (31:31–36:10)

• All Creation Awaits Restoration:
  • The entire universe “groans,” longing for renewal; storms, disasters, and decay echo this brokenness but also anticipate newness.
  • “The entire globe right now is creaking and groaning...for a day when there will be a new Earth, a day of redemption, not only for mankind...but...all of the created realm will be restored.” (35:30)
• Not Just Personal Salvation:
  • The gospel is cosmic in scope; the hope is for restoration of everything tainted by sin.

Faith, Hope, and Perseverance in the "Not Yet" (36:11–43:30)

• Romans 8:24-25:
  • We live in hope, waiting patiently for what is unseen.
  • “For we were saved in this hope. But hope that is seen is not hope...we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (36:25)
• A Realistic View of Life:
  • Christianity doesn't promise an easy life or an end to suffering before glory, contrary to "prosperity gospel" preachers.
    • "What you see in this book is hardship and difficulty and persecution and martyr and the things that you really don't want and yet what God has appointed." (39:20)
  • Things may get worse before they get better, but believers are never alone in hardship.
• God’s Presence in Suffering:
  • The iconic image of Psalm 23—walking through the valley of shadow with God—offers comfort:
    • “God isn’t simply standing next to you...God is holding you, carrying you through this life and through the difficulties.” (41:15)

The Ultimate Hope: Christ and Cosmic Restoration (43:31–End)

• Christ’s Substitution:
  • Jesus bore humanity’s sin and sorrow, offering believers a right relationship with God; this is the "hope" referenced throughout Romans 8.
    • “When God looks at you, he doesn't see you through the lens of your sin, but rather he sees you through the lens of his own Son's righteousness.” (44:55)
• Heaven’s True Joy:
  • Heaven is not just a better place, but where God himself is present, and the relationship is restored.
• Restoration of All Things: (Revelation 21)
  • No more tears, pain, or death—the removal of all sin’s consequences.
    • “Behold, I make all things new.” (47:05)
• Eschatological Encouragement:
  • The garden of Eden was always a foretaste, a symbol of the restoration believers will experience in God’s presence.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "There's any number of Katrinas that can enter our world and upset it and change it in ways that make it unrecognizable." — Host (03:20)
• "What I can't understand is why one took out my house, why one destroyed my church. That gets more tricky when you accept it exists in the abstract. But then you have to look in the particular and say, well, why did that happen to me?" — Host (05:02)
• "They introduced through their sin a vile scarlet strain into Eden's tranquil world." — Host (10:37)
• “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.” — Romans 8:18, quoted (14:10)
• "You could take all that suffering ... it doesn't begin to compare with what the future holds for you." — Host (16:20)
• "On the balance of the scales of eternity, he says there's no comparison." — Host (17:45)
• “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope.” — Host, quoting Romans 8 (23:55)
• "Sin has side effects...One drop will permanently discolor the entire thing. It will affect every molecule within the water itself. That's the nature of sin." — Host (28:10)
• "Genesis 4. The fact you can flip past that page reminds the promise he made there in Genesis 3:15, that although man had sinned, God was not yet done with us." — Host (30:53)
• “The entire globe right now is creaking and groaning...for a day when there will be a new Earth...” — Host (35:30)
• “For we were saved in this hope. But hope that is seen is not hope...we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” — Host, quoting Romans 8 (36:25)
• "What you see in this book is hardship and difficulty and persecution and martyr and the things that you really don't want and yet what God has appointed." — Host (39:20)
• “God isn’t simply standing next to you...God is holding you, carrying you through this life and through the difficulties.” — Host (41:15)
• “When God looks at you, he doesn't see you through the lens of your sin, but rather he sees you through the lens of his own Son's righteousness.” — Host (44:55)
• “Behold, I make all things new.” — Host, quoting Revelation 21 (47:05)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Background and Introduction: 00:00–06:40
• Genesis and the Fall: 06:41–13:00
• Romans 8: Present Suffering vs. Future Glory: 13:00–23:20
• Creation’s Groaning & the Scope of Redemption: 23:21–36:10
• Faith in the "Not Yet": 36:11–43:30
• Cosmic and Personal Hope in Christ: 43:31–End

Final Thoughts

The episode offers a deeply pastoral perspective on suffering, balancing honest acknowledgment of life's hardships with the robust hope found in Christian eschatology. Through close engagement with Romans 8, the host articulates a worldview in which pain is temporary, future glory is assured, and both humanity and all creation are destined for restoration through Christ. The biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation, underpins this hope—a timely and timeless message for those wrestling with suffering and searching for purpose amidst the world's storms.