Biblical Answer

The Problem of Evil

The question of why bad things happen to good people is a complex and age-old problem that has puzzled many people throughout history. The Bible acknowledges this problem, and it is a theme that is explored in various passages, including Psalm 73 and 1 Peter 3:13-17. The psalmist in Psalm 73 laments the fact that the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer, and he asks, "Why do the wicked prosper?" (Psalm 73:3). This conundrum has kept many people from turning to God and caused many who were with Him to turn away.

God's Sovereignty and Goodness

However, as we explore the Bible, we find that God's sovereignty and goodness are not mutually exclusive. In fact, God's sovereignty is the very reason why He can allow evil to exist in the world. As the Bible says, "God is the one who formed the earth and made it, he established it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited" (Isaiah 45:18). God's goodness is not limited to preventing evil, but it is also expressed in His sovereignty over all things, including evil. This means that even in the midst of evil, God is working out His good purposes. As R.C. Sproul Jr. said, "Why do bad things happen to good people? Well, that only happened once, and He volunteered." This statement highlights the fact that God is not limited by our understanding of good and evil, but He is sovereign over all things.

The Purpose of Evil

So, why do bad things happen to good people? The answer lies in the purpose of evil. Evil exists because of humanity's rebellion against God, as described in Genesis 3. As a result, God cursed the ground, enabling every possible pestilence (Genesis 3:17-19). However, even in the midst of evil, God is working out His good purposes. As the Bible says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). This means that even in the midst of evil, God is working out His good purposes, and ultimately, He will bring good out of evil. This is a mystery that we cannot fully understand, but it is a truth that we can trust in. As the psalmist says, "You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11).