TOUGH QUESTIONS

How can a God exist when there is so much evil in the world? The question is a common one among our atheist and agnostic friends.  They reason, “If God is totally good, and total goodness can’t exist with evil, and the world is clearly evil, then God must not exist”.  Fair question for a thoughtful skeptic.

When we look closer, we recognize that evil doesn’t exist unless good also exists.  For example, we can’t know the room is dark unless we have seen it in the light.  So to compare good and evil implies a basis for knowing which is which. If what is evil to one is good to another, then the words have no meaning and so the argument against God is meaningless as well.

Who defines what is good and what is evil? In order for the definition of what is good and what is evil to have authority, the definer must be transcendent, all powerful, and all knowing, the very characteristics we ascribe to God. So, the original question ends up being meaningless, because the question assumes the existence of God in order to create an argument against God.  A thoughtful skeptic will ponder that!

The answer to this question leads us to another question: If God exists, how do we know Him? John, one of Jesus’ followers wrote, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” God sent his Son Jesus into the world, and through His sacrifice, we can have forgiveness from sin and a relationship with Him.

For responses to these thoughts, contact us.