Articles
The Problem of Evil
THE PROBLEM OF EVIL
(John Humphries)
We are to understand that if God is all good (and He is) and that He is all powerful (and He is), then evil (sickness, accidents, all forms of human suffering, etc.) should not exist. But evil exists in all of its terrible manifestations, therefore, God (all powerful and all good) does not exist. The Bible is very clear that God is all good and all powerful (Pss. 34:8; 100:5; 119:68; 145:9; and Pss. 90:2; 147:5; Isa. 40:28; Jer. 32:17; Rev. 19:6). But the argument that this should mean that evil should not exist is pure human assumption and ignorance. It fails to take into consideration all of the facts. Instead of checking with the Bible, these skeptics become god-makers and determine what their god should or should not do. This is idolatry. Their god is too small and is not the God of the Bible. Unfortunately, this sophistry is very popular, but is a false argument.
First of all, God created us with the ability to make choices. He did not make human robots without free will. No! God desires for humanity to respect, seek, love, and obey Him (Acts 17:26-28; Heb. 11:6). This results in peace with ourselves, with others, and with God (Eph. 2:14). But many, instead, make bad choices that cause much human suffering (disagreements that turn violent, crime, wars, etc.). This is humanity's failings, inspired by the devil, and not God's fault. These bad choices often involve violations of God's will. This makes one a sinner before God. But we also need to understand that we all fall short of His glory and are guilty of transgression (Rom. 3:23). We do not always choose to think, say, or do the thing that pleases the Heavenly Father. Don't blame Adam, because we all have sinned (Rom. 5:12).
The sin problem is why God cursed the earth with hardships for men and women (Gen. 3:16-19). It takes much effort to work the earth and bring food from the soil to the table. This challenge to subdue the earth and obtain its blessings apply throughout man's attempts to dig the ore or grow the food that is needed to sustain life on the planet. Many farmers experience failure because of a cursed earth. Human sin set this in motion long ago! Because of sin, we lost the garden of Eden!
Also, painful accidents occur when people make wrong decisions through carelessness, distraction, ignorance, haste, anger, etc. Car wrecks, air plane crashes, equipment injuries, falls, are just a few of the painful, and sometimes fatal, accidents that cause suffering when people make wrong choices. Innocent people often suffer along with, or because of, the person making the wrong choice. For example, the bus driver falls asleep wrecking the bus causing fatalities and painful injuries. Many examples could be given. This is man-caused suffering.
There is also the reality of God "giving us up" to the painful after-effects and bitter fruit of our sinful conduct (Rom. 1:24, 24, 28, 32). Sin has serious, painful consequences. We are not a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but we know that nations that forget God and plunge deeper and deeper into sin are headed for serious trouble as God gives us up to our own ungodly devices that bring fearful, painful consequences (Ps. 9:17; Prov. 14:34). Sin is a painful scrouge to society!
A very important part of this issue concerning suffering involves the fact that God also knows that we need the chastening and maturing effect that trials and tribulations (that are endured by His faithful) bring to our spirituality (Rom. 5:3-5; Heb. 12:3-11; Jas. 1:2-4; 2 Cor. 12:7-10). In overcoming the evil and suffering that is all about us and with us, we draw closer to God and lean more and more upon His grace to sustain us in our time of need. Suffering successfully endured is a soul-building experience for God's faithful children.
