One Answer to the Question of Evil
An undeniable part of human existence is suffering, hardship, and pain. We have friends and family who have endured horrible experiences that can only be defined as evil. We read about evil and see it in the news. We, obviously experience it ourselves. The litany of terrible things and events is almost endless, and everyone experiences them.
The question “If GOD exists, why is there evil?” is a constant concern among nonbelievers. Add to that, Christians say GOD is a good God. Then why does He allow evil to happen to good people? Why wouldn’t a loving GOD protect His children from all evil? That’s what good parents do, right? And while there may be no perfect answer to If GOD, why evil, maybe this will help.
There are many solid answers to the question of evil, I’ve mentioned them often. For example, GOD has decided that it is better that love exist than evil not exist. Love is only possible when we have the free will to decide if we will love, and who we will love. But that same free will allows us to chose to do evil things to others. In short, humanity’s free will is the cause of evil.
Also, evil’s days are numbered and one day, GOD will put a final end to evil. Moreover, GOD has provided an answer to evil in the past with the Law, and in the present with Jesus. If the ancients had simply followed the Ten Commandments and Old Testament moral laws, almost all evil would have been eradicated. Today, if everyone in the world just followed the teachings of Jesus there would be very little evil.
I’ve also argued that atheism doesn’t solve the problem of evil, it means good is just a preference; or worse yet, evil is simply an illusion. And while some have appreciated these answers (in a sense) most haven’t been totally satisfied.
Parenthood and the Problem of Evil
I was speaking to a group of college students about GOD recently and a Sophomore came up to me and started giving me a litany of all the evil in the world. He mentioned wars and rape and human trafficking – among other things. After he was through, I said, “I totally agree. There is a lot of evil in the world. You are absolutely right.” And I paused.
After a minute I asked, “Do you mind if I ask you a silly question?” He tilted his head and looked at me for a second, then said, “I guess so.”
I said, “Now it’s a silly question, like I said. But if you answer, it will help me to communicate what I’m trying to say.” He nodded. I asked him, “Do you have parents?” He laughed and then replied, “We’ll, of course I do!”
I said, “See, it was a silly question. Can I ask you another?” “Sure.” He replied
I asked, “What year were you born?” He said, “2002.”
I said, “That’s very interesting. You were born in 2002. That was the year after the terrorists attacked us on 911. The world was pretty crazy then. Nobody quite knew what to expect after 911. The whole world had changed. We started looking for bombs under every table and chair. Another depraved man tried to blow up a plane with his sneakers. After that, we couldn’t bring over 3 ounces of fluid on planes anymore. We still can’t. We had to wait in much longer lines at the airport. It was hard to trust strangers then. The world seemed like a much more evil place…”
He said, “I’m sure it did.”
I said, “Last question… Why would any loving parent bring a small defenseless baby into that kind of world?”
He looked shocked. His eyes got big and his cheeks started to flush. “Well, I, uh…” he fumbled.
I said, “It was because they loved you even before there was a you. They said to themselves, ‘We know the world is an evil place. And we know our child won’t have a perfect life. We know there will be times when life will be difficult – maybe even painful. But we love him. We love him now, even before we’ve had him; even before he’s been conceived. We want him to know and experience our love. And we hope he will love us back.’”
GOD Loves His Children Too
That’s the best way I can put it friends. GOD loved you even before He banged the Big Bang. In my case, He thought of me and said, Don, I love Don. I want Don! I know, I’m going to make Me Don! (Now re-read those last sentences and [INSERT YOUR NAME] where I’ve written “Don.”) GOD wanted to simply love you. He wants you to simply experience His love. Of course He hopes you will love Him back. But no matter what happens – no matter evil may come your way – He will always be there for you. He’ll hold you and carry you through any trials and troubles. And there will be blessings too! There will be good times and good things too.
~Peace