The Problem of Evil

I've often heard people say, "If God were so powerful or loving, why is there evil in the world," or "A loving God would not allow the kind of sickness and suffering in the world that exists."

Before I make an attempt to answer these statements, often there is a strong emotional hurt behind these statements. I have lost those very close to me. While I might not be able to understand your particular circumstances, I get it that you hurt and wonder in all this why particular pain landed in your lap. For those who are hurting like that, I wish I could give you a hug and sit with you.

Typically in the problem of evil the accusation and blame fall on God.

I think this question actually points to the culpability of mankind, though, not God. Here's how it was supposed to be:
 - God made man and woman in His image - Genesis 1:27.
 - He gave them power and authority and the command to rule over everything.
We are image-bearers of God who are to rule over everything on the earth. The book of Proverbs says, "When the king is righteous, the people rejoice" - Proverbs 29:2.

You have to realize everything was set up to be amazing, beautiful, and glorious. But as soon as choice was introduced into the equation, something happened. Adam and Eve ate from the tree from which they were commanded not to eat. With the curse of sin, death came to everything. We often overlook this, but everything dies and decays. There were no earthquakes, hurricanes, or tsunamis before the Fall. Things break down. Even in our sophisticated technology we find thorns and thistles. It's everywhere. So while there are straight up evil choices, everything we do, use, and experience breaks down.

Before I go on, you might wonder why did God gave man choice in the first place. Think of a surgeon with a scalpel. With skill and precision, he can work wonders. Of course, a scalpel could also be used to hold a plane hostage. We could demand all scalpels removed to remove the possibility of an evil choice with a scalpel. But if we start with scalpels, where do we end? Do we limit everything? Or do we remove the ability to make a choice at all? Evidently, God designed us to be more than a cog in a machine.

So we know two things:
1. Given choice, mankind chooses evil. We can blame it on the devil, but just like Adam, we make evil choices. And if we manage to hold them back, we at least think them not only in our heads but also in our hearts.
2. God is merciful. Think about it. If you are working on a project that keeps screwing up, you scrap it and start over. God could have scraped the entire human race and been fully justified in doing so. In fact, He just about did through the flood. And God was fully justified.

There are a few disturbing realities about point #1. Our choices often lead to frustration more than anything else. I mentioned above that everything breaks down. If we define evil as opposition to God, then everything is linked back to the evil in our hearts - if not from our own, then from our forefathers. And before we blame the earlier generations or even Adam, rest assured others will be the recipients of your choices.

Even when you do your best, there are still accidents. Some are quite benign, even funny, while others lead to the death of those in the other car. We understand when someone make a dumb choice and merely hurts themselves. In fact, when that happens we feel they are getting what they deserved. But when others make bad choices and we or someone we deem innocent are affected, we are repulsed. But we must remember evil is a direct result of our choices. We will say it is not fair, but we also really want out. The way out is to acknowledge we are the problem - and not we, collectively, but each person individually. You must realize you are the problem. I acknowledged I was the problem some time ago.

We can blame our co-workers, our government, our weird neighbor, or God for the evil in the world, but the real problem of evil is within each of us. The world is perfectly situated to make us realize this. However, we don't really like the buck stopping with us. But when we let the buck stop with us, we experience #2 above in wild and profound ways. In the midst of receiving our due rewards for evil, those who bask in God's mercy find life, hope, even peace in places where there should be bitterness and rage.

There is no intended result from this article where you think you will not feel the effects of evil. A follower of God or not, we all receive pain, hurt, and frustration. But those who have acknowledged they are the problem for introducing evil into the world in the first place have the promise of God's abiding presence with them. Jesus suffered every conceivable type of pain and is able to sympathize with us. He will be with you. Just ask.

But I merely scratch the surface. For a fuller - and better - explanation, see Peter Kreeft's article on the subject http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics/evil.htm