Having established a proper approach to the questions of God’s character, we are now ready to delve into a more practical discussion of theodicy (the problem of evil and suffering). We can’t answer all the questions, but the answers we have been given will help us come to terms with the one’s we have not.
So, how could a loving God create evil? In the words of Epicurus: “Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
Epicurus rightly gives us only 4 options, but errs in the 4 conclusions that he draws. The Bible, we believe, affirms option 2—He is able to prevent evil, but not willing. And yet, as we will see, this does not automatically make God malevolent. God in His great love and mercy had very valid reasons not to prevent the introduction or persistence of evil within His world.
First of all, we must recognize that God Himself did not create anything evil. In the beginning we are told, “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Gen 1:31). And man was no exception. He was created “in the image of God” (Gen 1:27). Elsewhere we are told that “God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices” (Eccl 7:29).
Yet, how could evil arise in a world that was completely perfect and good? God at least had to create the potential for evil in the world. We concede that is true. God created two good and perfect things that made evil a distinct possibility: free-will and law.
Was God malevolent to have created these things? Not at all. Whereas evil may not be possible without free-will and law, neither would love, obedience, holiness, or righteousness. If man was going to reflect God’s image and character in his life, like God, he had to have the ability to choose.
Obedience holds no moral significance if it is not chosen. Nor does love. You might be able to program your computer to say “I love you” every time you sit down at your desk, but that’s not the same as your wife saying she loves you. One is the product of programming, the other of free-will. Which one would you rather have?
So God was unwilling to prevent the possibility of evil, because it would mean removing all possibility of moral goodness within man as well. But once it was evident that man was going to misuse his free-will, couldn’t God have nipped it in the bud? Why did He allow evil to persist within the world?
I want you to stop and imagine a world where God strikes every individual dead who ever sins. What would it look like? I can tell you one thing, I wouldn’t be here today. And I can say with a good measure of certainty that you wouldn’t either.
God allows evil to persist within the world because He is longsuffering. He wants to give man ample chance to repent and be restored to fellowship with Him. This is why He delays so long in judging the world. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9).
Yes, God is able to prevent evil, but in His great compassion and longsuffering, He is not willing. Ultimately, evil within the world is not a testament to God’s malevolence, but His mercy.
Yet, one day God will judge all creation. When mankind has had ample opportunity to repent and their hearts have become so hardened that no further chances would be of any avail, Jesus will come again.
He is not willing that evil persist forever. He will cleanse His creation once and for all. Those who have submitted their free-will to the guidance of the Lord will be taken to heaven—a place where “nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come in… but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev 21:27).