Biblical Answer

The Problem of Evil

The question of whether God is still good if He lets bad things happen to good people is a classic problem in the philosophy of religion. This question arises from the apparent contradiction between the existence of evil in the world and the goodness of God. If God is good, then why does He allow evil to exist? This is a complex issue that has been debated by philosophers and theologians for centuries. From a Christian perspective, the answer lies in understanding the nature of God's goodness and the relationship between God and humanity.

God's Goodness

God's goodness is not the same as human goodness. While humans can be good or evil, God's goodness is rooted in His eternal character. God's goodness is not a quality that He possesses, but rather it is His very essence. God is not good because He does something good, but rather He does something good because He is good. This means that God's actions are always in accordance with His character, and His character is always good. This understanding of God's goodness helps to address the problem of evil by showing that God's actions are not arbitrary or capricious, but rather they are always in line with His character.

The Purpose of Evil

From a Christian perspective, evil exists in the world because of humanity's sin. Sin is a rejection of God's goodness and a desire to do things our own way. God allows evil to exist in the world because it serves a greater purpose. Evil exists to reveal God's goodness and to bring about His ultimate goal of redemption. Through the existence of evil, God is able to demonstrate His power and His love for humanity. This is evident in the life of Jesus Christ, who came to save humanity from sin and its consequences. In the end, God will bring about a time of perfect justice, where evil will be eradicated and goodness will prevail. This understanding of the purpose of evil helps to address the problem of evil by showing that God's actions are not arbitrary, but rather they are always in line with His character and His ultimate goal of redemption.