DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL AND SUFFERING?

 

QUESTION:

If God is good why does He allow evil in this world and allow bad things to happen to good people?

A typical answer from a theologian, a trained pastor or Bible teacher might sound like,

“God did not create evil, but He created beings capable of choosing.” For example, they might say, “When God finished creation, He declared it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Evil was not part of His original design”. Furthermore, they might say, “God created angels and humans with genuine moral freedom. Love, obedience, and worship have meaning only if they can be freely given. The possibility of choosing good also meant the possibility of choosing evil. Humanity chose rebellion in Genesis 3, and sin entered the world”. “Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin.” (Romans 5:12). “The suffering we experience today is the result of living in a fallen creation”.

This kind of reasoning is prevalent in the highest levels of Christian academia and pervasive in the church. It seems to me like trying to hammer a dozen square pegs in incredibly small round holes. You see, this kind of answer seems to be rooted in scriptures, (since scripture verses are cited), but the context is all wrong. This is a form of eisegesis, which is the process of interpreting text in such a way as to introduce one’s own presuppositions, agendas or biases. It is commonly referred to as reading into the text. It is often done to justify or confirm a position already held.

Let’s start with the foundation using reason, context, plain language of the Bible, interpret from the original language where necessary, and build our case.

First, if you understand that God is:

Omniscient – from long before anything existed until long after all things are done away with.

• Psalm 139:2-4: “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”

Omnipresent – from eternity before time itself began until eternity after time ceases to exist.

• Psalm 139:7-10: “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!”

Omnipotent – God is all powerful on a scale that is perfectly unimaginable. Nothing is impossible for God.

• Jeremiah 32:17: “Ah, Sovereign Lord! You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power; nothing is too hard for you.”

I.e., if you understand that God is omnipotent (all powerful), and omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent (everywhere all the time), then you would never ask why He allows evil in this world and allow bad things to happen to good people. But you might ask “what is the purpose for allowing evil and suffering in this world”?

The Hebrew noun and adjective for the word “evil” (from Strong’s concordance #7451), embraces moral evil, wicked conduct, hurtful speech, harmful intent, malignant character, and the concrete outworking of such evil in disaster, calamity, or misery. Whether describing an inner disposition, an outward act, or the painful consequences of sin, the term consistently stands in antithesis to “good”). Both words, “evil” and “good” are words that describe a concept, a behavior and results. One can be pleasant and productive, the other unpleasant, painful and destructive.

From a strictly Biblical perspective, evil is anything that departs from God’s perfect character and will by corrupting what is good, producing sin, suffering, injustice, and death. Whereas good is that which possesses true value because it accords with the purpose for which something exists, promotes flourishing, upholds truth and justice, and—according to the biblical worldview—reflects the perfect character and will of God.

However, because all things from eternity to eternity have always been in the Mind of God. Nothing comes into being that was has not already existed in the Mind of God. Remembering that good and evil are not things per se. They are the definition of behaviors, acts and results. All things have been made manifest, that is created into existence – including “good” and “evil” – by God, for His purpose and pleasure. Although it may seem otherwise to the human mind, the Bible is clear that nothing escapes God’s attention, nothing sneaks up on Him, nothing surprises Him. He does not make mistakes, He never needs a ‘mulligan’. He always has existed, He has always known everything and He has always had the power to do as He wills – otherwise He is not God. This is our foundation.

Secondly, let’s build our framework or the framework of our house of reason, if you will. Yes, God did indeed say about His creation, “It is very good” (Genesis 1:31). And why would He say that? Was it, as it has been suggested, because evil was not an intended part of His creation? What??? Did God forget something? Did He make a mistake that He, the Almighty God could not correct? That, friend is to deny God’s attributes – and forgive me, but that is an insanely stupid idea. Good and evil have been part of God’s plan, and from the beginning of time, God made it clear that His plan, purpose and intention is to create and to transform all people into the His Image – The Image and Likeness of Jesus. And not just in appearance, but in mind, soul, spirit and body.

In the image, (which is the Hebrew word, tselem, which translates as a mere, empty, image, a resemblance, but not identical ; a vain showing; the word tselem comes from an unused root Hebrew word meaning to shade; as a phantom, i.e., an illusion; hence, simply a representative figure, of dubious character.) (see Adam’s Rib – The Alpha for more detail).

The process of perfecting humankind into the perfect image of God and Jesus Christ is known as the process of sanctification – the setting apart of persons or things unto God’s exclusive possession and purpose. While rooted in the Old Testament cultus, the New Testament expands the theme to encompass the whole sweep of salvation history, from divine election to final glorification. It means to purify, to make perfect. This process of sanctification takes a lifetime and can be both bewildering, terrifying, painful and may seem that evil has beset the person being sanctified; and it can be pleasant, amazing in its experience, a blessing and exhilarating. The best definition of its outcome can be found in Hebrews 10:14, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified”, (E.S.V.). Or as the King James version puts it, “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”

I don’t intend to sound mean when I say to stop being so self-centered and ignorant asking “why does God allow things I don’t’ like” and ask “what is the purpose of these things that obviously exist”

And for the Christian, no matter your position in God’s church, it’s time you grow up in your thinking and study of His Word and admit that God allows both good and evil in this world. But it is not “why” but “for what purpose”.  Do you not know that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Additional reading: The Journey Toward Perfection.)

This will be a continuing series of “THE MOST ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD”. (And if you have a question, please ask).

Nest Question: WILL GOD REALLY FORGIVE ALL MY SINS?