Biblical Answer

The Problem of Evil: A Biblical Perspective

The question of why God allows evil to exist has puzzled people for centuries. Some attempt to solve this problem by suggesting that God is not all-powerful, or that He is not loving. However, these arguments are flawed and do not align with the biblical account. As the Bible teaches, God is all-powerful and all-loving (Psalm 115:3, 1 John 4:8).

The Free-Will Defense

One way to approach this question is through the concept of free will. The Bible teaches that humanity was created with the capacity for free will, and that God desires us to choose Him freely (Deuteronomy 30:19, Matthew 22:37-40). However, with free will comes the possibility of choosing evil. This is a consequence of human sin, not a lack of God's power or love. In fact, the Bible teaches that God's sovereignty is not in conflict with human free will, but rather is the very thing that makes human freedom possible (Romans 9:19-23).

The Purpose of Evil

So why does God allow evil to exist? The Bible teaches that God permits evil to exist for the sake of His greater purposes. He allows evil to exist so that humanity can exercise its free will and choose Him, and so that He can demonstrate His justice and righteousness in the face of evil (Romans 3:25-26). Furthermore, the Bible teaches that God is working all things together for good, even the evil, to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). This does not mean that evil is good, but rather that God is able to bring good out of evil, and that He is sovereign over all things, including evil. Ultimately, the question of why God allows evil to exist is a mystery that is not fully understood by humanity, but it is one that is addressed by the Bible and is a reminder of God's sovereignty and love.