This past week in Church we continued an important conversation, answering common questions, for a skeptical audience. Last Sunday our pastor tackled the question of: "If God is real and good, why is there so much evil?".
Most certainly you've heard or even wondered this yourself. Child cancer, rape, incest, murder, war, genocide... why would a good God permit such things?
The Problem of Evil | Ask Anything - Village Church
This is often called the "Problem of Evil", and its an important question because as the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy puts it:
"The epistemic question posed by evil is whether the world contains undesirable states of affairs that provide the basis for an argument that makes it unreasonable to believe in the existence of God."
Or said another way, does "evil" in the world logically disprove the existence of God? Obviously I think the answer is no, but if you'd like to hear why, you might enjoy listening to the linked video, where my pastor unpacks the apologetics behind "The Problem of Evil".
Why does God allow evil if He is fully in control?
Conclusion:
The problem of evil is only a "problem" for theists, if we first accept the inherent assertion of the criticism, that suffering and evil can never lead to good. You see, in order to deny God's existence on the basis that evil exists, you must prove that good does not come out of evil, why? Because if Romans 5:3-4 is correct, and suffering leads to perseverance, character and hope, then there is no inconsistency between the existence of a creator (God), and evil in this life.
Romans 5:3-4 English Standard Version (ESV)
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope
In my opinion, God does exist, evil does exist, and there is no logical inconsistency because a loving, all powerful, good God could and would permit evil, suffering, loss and pain, to such an extent that enabled greater good, hope, joy, love, and beauty.
God permits suffering only to the extent that it produces greater good. And we can look at Jesus on the cross for proof. God didn't enjoy that Christ suffered, it was his own loss, but he in his infinite wisdom and mercy decided that it was the only way to the best outcome, and such is suffering in our own lives also.
He sent his one any only son, not because he doesn't care, but because he does.
John 3:16 English Standard Version (ESV)
For God So Loved the World
16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Or look at the difficulty in your own life for proof of my point. Have you never overcome adversity, suffering and loss? Of course you have, and wouldn't you say you are stronger for having gone through it? Many people would, and I know these statements ring true in my life.
As always, thank you for your time and attention. Have an amazing day and God bless.
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