A VISITOR'S INQUIRY:
I'm aware you've probably been asked this a thousand times, but what of the problem of evil? Do you contend that God is benevolent? Do you contend that God has power over all? Then why would he let evil occur? Do you believe he knows all? Then why does he not stop things before they happen? Of the many Christians of whom I've asked, they often reply with the idea that taking away all evil, he would also take away free will. But are there not people who lead perfectly good lives? Did they not have free will as well? Why let evil become an option? Why place the fruit on the tree if you don't want it taken? And what about evil of nature, natural disasters? It's simply logic, if God is benovolent and he is omniscient and omnipotent and bad things still happen, God does not exist, God is not omniscient, or God is not benevolent.

Ben Branstetter.

RESPONSE:
Thanks for your questions Ben.

Do I contend that God is benevolent, all powerful and all knowing? Yes, for the Bible declares these things to be true regarding Him. Is the existence of evil contradictory to a benevolent, all powerful and all knowing God? No.

Four times in your inquiry, you asked "why":
1) ...why would he let evil occur?
2) why does he not stop things...?
3) Why let evil become an option?
4) Why place the fruit on the tree...?

May I say that a lack of information (ie. not knowing "why") is not a basis to deny the existence or character of God. It is not "simple logic" to deny His existence because bad things happen.

In response to your "why" questions:
1) God allows evil to occur because of free will. He has provided man with the ability to choose.
2) There are times in history where God has intervened with events (ie. Israel fleeing from Egypt, fall of Jericho, destruction of Nineveh averted, etc.). According to Scripture, God has always (and still is) involved in the affairs of nations (Daniel 2:20-21; Romans 13:1-4). This doesn't mean that God will control the affairs of man, but that He is watchful over all, and that His will is being accomplished, through the free will of humanity, though sometimes in spite of man's poor decisions. On a personal level (as opposed to national), God is intimately interested in each one, and He can and will "stop things". Through prayer, we can make request of God in regard to this or that. Speak to anyone who is fervent in prayer, and you will no doubt hear of countless times and ways that God has intervened in the affairs of man, in response to prayer.



3) Again, evil is an option because of free will. If God is to allow man to make decisions, then choices need to exist. Tell me, what manner of free will exists if the choices are to:
...a. obey, or
...b. obey, or
...c. obey
If man is to have free will, the possibility of him choosing to do that which is wrong is inherent. The alternative was for God to make us puppets and Himself a puppet master. That is not the manner of relationship which God wants with man. He desires for us to serve Him because we choose to serve Him, not because we can't help but serve Him.

4) I don't know why God chose to place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden. Why does it matter? Man was created with the ability to choose NOT to take of it's fruit. What good is free will if there is no circumstance in which to exercise it?

Let me address just a few more things which were in your message.

You wrote: But are there not people who lead perfectly good lives?

There are people who lead good lives, but not "perfectly good lives". All have sinned (Romans 3:23). Everyone has misused free will. Now, there are some who habitually choose to do good, who have chosen to cease from wickedness. Whether we are speaking of those who do good or those who do evil, both are an exercise of free will. Take away free will, and the decision to do evil is void, but so is the decision to do good.

You wrote: And what about evil of nature, natural disasters?

Natural disasters can be in a manner linked back to evil. God made man to be eternal. Sin would bring about death (ie. deterioration). When sin entered the world, so began the running down of the universe. Paul spoke of it in this way, "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." (Romans 8:20-22). Just as any piece of machinery, over time will begin to break down, so the universe, over time, begins to break down. Such is the way with things physical.

Why are there more earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, and the like today? I believe in part, we are aware of more because of the advances in technology and the media. We were aware of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean almost immediately. Had the same thing taken place 150 years ago, we may never had known about it here in North American. Technology and the media bring to our attention much that we would not have otherwise known. But that is only part of the explanation. It is also probable that the aging of the earth (and thus running down of it) is responsible for more disasters taking place today.

Let me close by saying this: the evil which exists in the earth is distressing, however, if we will share the focus of God, we will see beyond it. Why does God bear with man's evil choices for the present? Because a day is coming, of which He has informed the world through His word (the Bible), upon which He will judge all humanity. Our free will allows us to do as we desire, but we are at the same time accountable for the decisions we make. Those who have chosen to serve the LORD will gain entrance to heaven, to dwell with the LORD eternally, where there will be no wickedness, no sorrow, no tears, no distresses. Evil will be no more. Those who have done wickedly upon the earth, will be judged for their deeds, and will be sent to hell, where they will receive their just reward.

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