Biblical Answer

The Problem of Evil

The question of why God allows evil to exist has puzzled many people for centuries. Some have attempted to solve the problem by suggesting that God is not all-powerful, while others have argued that evil is a necessary condition for good to exist. However, these attempts often fail to provide a satisfactory answer to the question.

The Free-Will Defense

One possible explanation for why God allows evil is the free-will defense. This defense suggests that God created humans with free will, which allows us to choose between good and evil. However, this defense raises several questions. If God is all-powerful, why did He create humans with the capacity for evil? And if God is all-knowing, why did He not prevent evil from occurring in the first place? These questions highlight the difficulties of the free-will defense and suggest that it may not be a fully satisfactory explanation for why God allows evil.

The Sovereignty of God

Another possible explanation for why God allows evil is the sovereignty of God. This perspective suggests that God is in control of all things and that He allows evil to exist as a means of achieving His ultimate purposes. This perspective is supported by Scripture, which teaches that God is sovereign over all creation (Romans 11:36). While this perspective does not necessarily provide a clear explanation for why God allows evil, it does suggest that God's purposes are not limited by human understanding or morality. Ultimately, the question of why God allows evil may be a mystery that is beyond human comprehension, and it may be that we will only fully understand God's purposes in eternity.