Does Christianity Still Make Sense?ናሙና

What’s Wrong with God?

What’s wrong with God? That’s a question posed in light of all the evil we witness in the world. And yet, while evil is universally recognized, there isn’t a universal explanation for it. That’s because different worldviews offer different replies to questions such as, “What is evil? Where did evil come from? If God exists, why would he allow evil to permeate our world?” These questions are always relevant, and the discussion varies depending on one’s worldview. For example, let’s consider a few of these explanations here. First, take atheism. The atheist might argue as follows:

1. If God is all good, he would destroy evil.

2. If God is all powerful, he can destroy evil.

3. But evil is not destroyed.

4. Therefore, an all good and all powerful God does not exist.

Or consider the pantheist, who believes all is God. The pantheist would say something like this:

1. God is all there is, and all is God.

2. God is good.

3. Therefore, evil cannot exist.

4. Otherwise, God would be evil (and so would humanity, since we are all collectively god).

Wait a second, that’s strange. Indeed, it is. Did you notice how the pantheist explains evil? By explaining it away as an illusion. Next, consider polytheism, which believes in many gods. The polytheist might argue accordingly:

1. There is such a thing as evil.

2. There are many gods at war against evil.

3. Hopefully, one day good will win out against evil.

This was the way the ancient Greeks believed. They were polytheistic and believed the gods were engaged in a cosmic battle. There are certainly more options to consider, but due to space limitations, let’s now think about how a Christian would account for evil. He could do so by stating the following:

1. If God is all-powerful, he can destroy evil.

2. If God is all-good, he will destroy evil.

3. Since God is all-powerful and all-good, he can, and he will destroy evil.

As you can see, it’s a timing thing. It’s not that God isn’t just, or that he is sitting on his hands, but rather his timing for when he intervenes doesn’t always run according to our timetable. Even the things that appear to be unaddressed, will ultimately be addressed in the end, when at last he will destroy evil, and everyone will be held justly accountable for the life they lived.

Thought to Chew On: Justice seemingly unserved now doesn’t mean justice will be unserved later. In the end, justice will be served.