Tragedies, such as mass shootings and other heinous acts, force us to confront a deeply unsettling question: If a loving and all-powerful God exists, Why Is There evil in the world? Why does God permit such horrific crimes? Why doesn’t He intervene to prevent suffering? It’s a question that resonates deeply, especially in the face of personal loss and global crises. Claims that God is somehow limited or imperfect offer little comfort and contradict fundamental religious beliefs.
The reality of evil is undeniable. Many have wrestled with this question, especially in times of personal tragedy. Losing a loved one is a pain that never truly disappears. However, it’s crucial to understand that the existence of evil does not disprove God. In fact, as C.S. Lewis, a former atheist, eloquently argued in “Mere Christianity,” evil actually points towards the existence of God. Lewis wrote, “My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.”
This powerful insight reveals that our very recognition of evil as “evil” implies a standard of “good.” If we instinctively recoil at injustice and cruelty, it’s because we possess an inherent sense of justice and morality. Where does this sense originate? If there is an ultimate moral standard, a universal law of justice, then logically, there must be an ultimate Moral Law Giver. Without this divine moral law, we wouldn’t even have the framework to define and recognize evil. Furthermore, without spiritual comfort from a higher power, enduring evil with hope and resilience becomes incredibly difficult. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Christians sorrow, “but not as those who have no hope.” It is faith in God’s power and love that provides hope for a better world, a world free from the pervasive evil we witness. Only a God capable of bringing good out of evil can offer a true solution to the profound problems of our world.
In the face of unimaginable evil, like large-scale tragedies, turning to God for comfort is a natural response for people of faith. Personal faith and scripture can provide immense strength during times of grief. The author recounts how memorized scriptures, such as Psalm 23, Isaiah 26:3, 40:31, John 14:1-6, Philippians 4:4-6, and 2 Corinthians 4:17, sustained him after the tragic loss of his daughter. He recalls the agonizing journey after receiving news of her death, describing it as a journey through an “ocean of tears.” Yet, even in profound grief, he found himself echoing Job’s words: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21, KJV). This illustrates the profound comfort and strength that faith can offer amidst personal tragedy, even when grappling with the question of “why is there” such pain.
Heaven: A World Without Evil
A core tenet of many faiths is the promise of a future world fundamentally different from our current reality. We are assured that the world to come will not be characterized by the disasters, destruction, and death that plague our present existence. The book of Revelation offers a powerful vision of this future: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. … And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:1, 4, KJV). This vision provides hope and solace, assuring believers that “why is there” suffering now is not indicative of the eternal state.
Paradise Lost and the Origin of Evil
Understanding “why is there” evil requires delving into the theological understanding of its origins. It’s essential to recognize that God is not the source of evil. The creation narrative in Genesis describes God declaring His creation “very good” (Genesis 1:31) after the sixth day. Adam and Eve were placed in a perfect, sinless paradise. Evil entered the world through their deliberate act of disobedience against God. This act of rebellion led to their expulsion from Paradise and introduced sin and death into the world. The spiritual consequence was immediate, as Ephesians 2:1 states they “died spiritually” at that moment, followed by eventual physical death. Romans 5:12 explains, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world and death through sin, and thus sin spread to all men, because all sinned” (NKJV). Echoing this, Ecclesiastes 7:29 states, “Truly, this only have I found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes” (NKJV). Therefore, “why is there” evil is not attributed to God’s design, but to the choices of humanity.
If God created a perfect world, and the promise is Paradise regained, the question remains: why this imperfect, suffering-filled interim? Why didn’t God create a world that remained perfect, bypassing the current state of evil and pain?
The Purpose of Evil: Free Will and Awakening
The answer to “why is there” evil, in part, lies in understanding God’s purpose for creation. God could have created a world devoid of evil, but such a world would necessitate beings without free will – robots or puppets incapable of genuine love. Love, by its very nature, requires free choice. Forced love is not love at all. Therefore, for a world to be capable of moral goodness, it must also be capable of moral freedom. This freedom, however, carries the inherent risk of choices that lead to suffering, disease, and death. This is the essence of the world we inhabit.
Expanding on this, C.S. Lewis, in “The Problem of Pain,” offers a further perspective on suffering’s purpose. He writes, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” This suggests that pain and suffering, while inherently undesirable, can serve a higher purpose in God’s plan. God is ultimately more concerned with our spiritual growth and holiness than with our temporary comfort and happiness. He prioritizes character development over ease.
Personal experience often reinforces this understanding. Enduring life lessons rarely emerge from times of pleasure and comfort; they are more frequently forged in the crucible of pain. It is through challenges and suffering that we develop patience, resilience, and deeper faith. The truth in the saying, “Even crosses from His gracious hands are blessings in disguise,” becomes apparent. As Romans 5:3-4 states, “tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (KJV). Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 4:17 reminds us that “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (KJV). Therefore, “why is there” evil and suffering can be partially understood as tools for spiritual growth and refinement in God’s larger plan.
God’s Promise to Rectify Evil
The question of “why is there” evil often leads to the further question: if God is good and powerful, why hasn’t He eliminated evil already? This is a long-standing dilemma: If God is all-good, He would want to eliminate evil. If He is all-powerful, He could eliminate evil. Yet, evil persists. Does this not suggest a contradiction in the concept of an all-good and all-powerful God?
However, the fact that evil has not been completely eradicated yet does not mean it never will be. Both logic and religious texts indicate that God will ultimately vanquish evil.
Firstly, God’s omnipotence means He can defeat evil, and His omnibenevolence means He wants to defeat evil. Psalm 135:6 declares, “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” God’s very nature as all-powerful and all-loving guarantees the eventual defeat of evil.
Secondly, God has already taken decisive action against evil. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to atone for sin and defeat evil. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, evil was decisively defeated in principle (Colossians 2:14, Hebrews 2:14, Ephesians 4:7-12). This victory over sin and death ensures Satan’s ultimate defeat. Prophecies throughout religious texts foretold Christ’s first coming, and the same texts promise Christ’s return, when evil will be completely and finally eradicated.
Meanwhile, What Should We Do?
In light of the enduring presence of evil, and while awaiting its ultimate defeat, Jesus offered a practical answer: repentance. In Luke 13, Jesus addressed the story of Galileans killed by Pilate. He questioned whether these Galileans suffered because they were greater sinners than others. His response was clear: “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, NKJV). In a world marked by free will and fallen nature, tragedies can befall anyone, regardless of their perceived sinfulness.
The message is that we are all sinners and in need of repentance and faith. Acts 16:31 urges us to “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.” Life is finite and unpredictable. Preparation to meet God should be a constant priority. Therefore, while “why is there” evil remains a complex and profound question, the immediate response is to focus on personal repentance and faith, living in anticipation of a future world free from suffering and evil.
