Biblical Answer

Understanding God's Character

The question of whether God is still good if He lets bad things happen to good people is a complex and challenging issue. To address this question, we need to understand the nature of God's character. In Christianity, God is considered to be good, not in the sense of being indulgent, soft, or sympathetic, but rather in the sense of being holy, just, and righteous. God's goodness is rooted in His eternal character, which is the standard of goodness for all humanity. This means that God's nature is the ultimate source of goodness, and everything He does is in accordance with His nature.

The Problem of Evil

The problem of evil is a major obstacle to faith in God. Many people struggle with the idea that a good God would allow evil to exist, especially when it seems to affect good people. However, the Bible teaches us that God is not the author of evil, but rather the evil that exists is a result of humanity's rebellion against God. God is not the one who brings about evil, but rather He is the one who judges evil and brings about justice. As the Bible says, "There is no one who does good, not even one" (Psalm 14:1-3). This means that humanity is inherently flawed and prone to evil, and God's justice is necessary to restore righteousness and order to the world.

God's Sovereignty and Justice

In the end, God will administer perfect justice, as He did on the cross. This means that God's sovereignty and justice will ultimately prevail, and evil will be brought to an end. As the Bible says, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God" (Job 19:25-26). This means that even in the midst of suffering and evil, God is still good and sovereign, and His justice will ultimately prevail. As we trust in God's character and sovereignty, we can have confidence that He is working all things together for our good, even in the midst of evil and suffering. (Romans 8:28)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the question of whether God is still good if He lets bad things happen to good people is a complex issue that requires a deep understanding of God's character and sovereignty. While the problem of evil is a major obstacle to faith, the Bible teaches us that God is not the author of evil, but rather the one who judges evil and brings about justice. As we trust in God's character and sovereignty, we can have confidence that He is working all things together for our good, even in the midst of evil and suffering.

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