I'm in the middle of a book written by N. T. Wright titled Evil and the Justice of God.  I was intrigued by the title, especially since my many debates with Atheist seeminly end up on this topic (if God exists, why is there so much evil/suffering in this world).  Although I have not finished reading the book, so far it has caused me to look at evil in a way my heart feared.  I came kicking and screaing to the same conclusion as Mr. Wright; the battle against evil in this world is not an "Us verses Them" ordeal.  It is a battle we all face because evil runs straight through each and every one of us.  The reality is that I am just as inherently evil as the next person.  I need the redemtive work of Christ just as much as the next guy.  Just because I don't manifest evil in a way others can easily see does not let me off the hook.

Mr. Wright also points out, in an "Aha!" moment for me, that God has already dealt with evil.  We picture God dealing with evil through fire and smoke; with displays of awesome power.  But God chose to deal with evil in the form of a 30 year old man named Jesus who seeminly failed, by the worlds standards, with His death on the cross.  But this was God's way of dealing with evil.  And if that is the case, then there must be more to the cross than meets the eye.

N. T. Wright is from England, and writes in a style reminicent to C. S. Lewis.  For some, this style may be difficult, but I assure you, it is certainly worth the read.