Why does God allow evil?

The Wicked and the Righteous I have thought deeply about all that goes on here in the world, where people have the power to hurt each other. I have seen wicked people buried with honor. How strange that they were the very ones who frequented the Temple and are praised in the very city where they committed their crimes! When a crime is not punished, people feel it is safe to do wrong. But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. The wicked will never live long, good lives, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows. And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them. In my search for wisdom, I tried to observe everything that goes on all across the earth. I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. This reminded me that no one can discover everything God has created in our world, no matter how hard they work at it. Not even the wisest people know everything, even if they say they do.

Ecclesiastes 8:9-17 New Living Translation

Sy Rogers writes...

All over the world people ponder the question "why does God allow evil?" How can Christian people defend -- let alone believe in and trust -- a God who allows such terrible evil and suffering on earth?

The issue is raised over and over again by Christians and non-Christians alike: "How could God be good when He allowed this tragedy to happen?" or "How could God really be loving if He didn't intervene to prevent such a terrible accident?" or "Why would God allow Satan, or Hitler for that matter, to commit evil acts?" Such questions reveal that people have an expectation of God, that if He's so good and loving and powerful, then He shouldn't allow evil or bad things to happen.

The real issue being addressed is not "why does God allow evil?" Here's the real question: "Is God as good as He says He is?" The evidence around us in a troubled world makes us wonder -- even people of faith must wrestle through doubts and fears, which if we don't face up to them, can hinder our experience with God and life. After all, you don't surrender to someone you don't trust.

Suffering Firsthand

I've had to learn this firsthand. Granted I've never been a refugee or starving, but like everyone else, I've had my own share of suffering: I come from a broken home. I was sexually abused as a child. My alcoholic mom was killed in an accident. These are only some of the painful circumstances I've had to work through in my growing relationship with God.

While I don't know everything and I'm not going to try to defend God (whose ways are above and beyond my limited view and experience), I can offer three understandable reasons explaining why God allows such awfulness on earth:

1) Earth is Cursed

The earth is under a curse and separated from God (Genesis 3). Many people seem to think life is supposed to be wonderful and convenient -- especially in developed countries where we have some control over our environment for our safety, comfort and convenience. When suffering in its various forms happens, people act like it's something strange and undeserved.

Frankly, God gives it to us straight in the Bible: Everything is cursed and out of balance -- even the very planet. So there are violent storms, earthquakes, floods, plagues and predators, all of which will induce suffering. Humanity is cursed: We suffer psychological imbalances such as fear, hatred, greed, lust -- all of which produce forms of suffering. Biology is cursed too: You will suffer the indignity of aging and then you die -- often not very nicely either, because we are fragile and subject to a host of terrifying diseases and system breakdowns. There will be suffering. Why would you think you'd be spared? After all, Christianity isn't some kind of "good luck" charm.

2) Satan is in Charge for Now

Satan is lord over the earth for the time being. The Bible states that evil exists and has its origins in disobedience to God (Romans 5:19), demonstrated first by that fallen angel, Lucifer, a.k.a. Satan.

Christians sing that "Jesus is Lord" -- and yes, He is, but not directly on earth -- yet! God is purposely unfolding His cosmic plan according to His timing and strategy. Therefore, the inferior -- but still destructive -- devil has his season of influence for a time. Meanwhile, Jesus is Lord on earth right now through the lives of Christians -- and even for them making Jesus Lord can be a daily battle.

In our raping, warring, molesting, greedy world it's pretty obvious who owns the world for now. And we humans suffer as a result! But the Bible promises that one day Jesus will come back and rule the earth as the rightful King. But for now, even Jesus called the devil the prince of this world (John 12:31). So not only are we fallen creatures on a fallen, cursed world -- we also suffer even more thanks to the evil influences of the devil.

3) Freedom of Choice

Humans have the freedom of choice, for good or bad. As if the first two reasons weren't enough, another major source of suffering are our own personal choices that affect us and others. Choice is sacred territory -- and God will let you and I hurt ourselves and others based on our freedom to make our own choices. In fact, God will let us choose to go to hell before He'll force us into heaven.

Whether it's a tragic drunk-driving accident or a disease spread through sex out of bounds, God forgives, but the consequences of our choices are not so forgiving. It is no wonder God asks us to choose to obey Him. Obeying God may not solve all our problems, but it doesn't create the kind of suffering that disobedient choices eventually will.

Trust Before Understanding

At the end of the day, the real issue for those who follow Christ is will we trust God even if we don't understand or appreciate the decisions He makes and the things He allows? The issue is so important an entire book in the Bible -- the book of Job -- is devoted to this concept. Is God good only when things are going well for you, or is He good all the time, even if your blessings are stolen or destroyed by some disaster?

That famous survivor of the Nazi concentration camps, Corrie ten Boom, once said that "faith is simply trusting God's character, even when life gives you reasons not to." Considering that Corrie's Christian family perished in the death camps, she understood the reality of evil and what it means to remain loyal to God in a season of great suffering.

Frankly, I find that words fail -- there is nothing anyone can say to lift the burden of pain in times of suffering. But I have known the comfort of a God who has been victimized by evil Himself -- He has firsthand experience with emotional and physical pain. He sees and He knows and He cares about our suffering.

We have His promise that one day evil and pain will be permanently and absolutely behind us (Revelation 21:4). And we who have suffered because of it will be compensated forever if we are in relationship with him. Let's follow Him faithfully then, in spite of difficulties and injustices -- not because we know or understand everything, but because we know Him and believe He is good.