Every so often the question gets asked, “How can we believe in a good God? Look at all the evil things that happen: murder of young children, the innocent suffering, the molestation of children, rape, etc.” Such a good question! It really is. There is so much suffering, turn on the news for a couple minutes and you’ll see the painful atrocities. More often I think that people ask the question not because they’re curious, but rather because they have experienced a deep hurt which they find unbearable. Rarely, I believe, is the question aimed for an argument.
This is how I like to form my responses:
There are a great many tragedies in this world. In fact, there isn’t one evil act, which could ever be justified. I am sorry for what horrible evil that you may have fallen victim to. God hates the injustice that sin brings with it and it grieves him (Isaiah 63:10, NIV), as well. The Bible says that the Lord will repay the wicked done to everyone in Romans 2:6. We must recognize that God hates evil, but he also, loves his people and wants everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9, NIV). As Erickson puts it, “If love does not include justice, it is mere sentimentality.” (2001) Exodus 34:6 says, “The LORD, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”(NIV) God is described as in several places as, “withholding judgment and continuing to offer salvation and grace over long periods of time.” (Erickson, 2001) By the sacrifice of Jesus who was sent to save the world from evil, God has demonstrated a great love for us. This is because, he holds back his wrath and persistently gives people a chance to turn from their wicked ways. If God had stopped evil a long time ago, there would have been no need for the salvation through Jesus Christ; and since we are all fallen, the elimination of evil would have also wiped out human kind. “There is none righteous no not one, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Ecc 7:20, NKJV) As Jesus says, “…you cannot server two masters, you hate one and love the other.” (Matt 6:24, NKJV) As long as people in this world continue to be subject to evil and not to God, they give this world/their actions to Satan to control. “ For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:20, NKJV)
“ God is both righteous and loving and has himself given what he demands.” (Erickson, 2001) It is his mercy that waits for every man and woman to come to repentance. Because God is love, he does not wish that anyone should perish but that all would come to repentance. (Ez 18:23, NKJV)
How about you? Have you been asked such a question? How have you responded?
Erickson, M. (2001). The Preservation of the Revelation: Inspiration. In L. Hustad
(Ed.), Introducing Christian doctrine (2nd ed., pp. 60-75). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker