Problem of Evil

Introduction

(Justen introduces us) *Insert Ryan’s Laughter. We start again. Justen introduces us. *Insert Ryan’s Laughter. Jimmy gets mad at Ryan. Ryan steps away. Ryan comes back. Justen introduces us. Ryan almost keeps from laughing. (This goes on a few more times) Ryan is beaten to a bloody pulp by Jimmy and Justen. Jimmy and Justen have a nice discussion on the problem of evil.

(Ryan) As we have studied the doctrines of grace there is a common question which arises. If God is sovereign over all things, even the salvation of men, then does that mean that God is sovereign over evil as well? Or to ask another way: Does evil exist in the world because God ordained it?

A verse that may cause some issues is which says that ‘God creates calamity’ or some translations say that God created evil. However, in dealing with passages like this we must consider the context. God is speaking and he is talking about natural calamity and bringing distress on people. So, when it says that God brings calamity it does not refer to moral evil. There are plenty of verses which affirm the goodness, purity, and holiness of God. “The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He," (). "Thine eyes are too pure to approve evil, and Thou canst not look on wickedness with favor," ().

(Jimmy) This has been referred to as the ‘problem of evil.’ The question that the atheist poses to Christians falls into the premises. First, if God is omnipotent then he could prevent evil if he wanted to. Premise two: If God is omnibenevolent (all-good) then he would want to stop it. Premise three: Evil exists. The conclusion therefore, is that God is either not omnipotent or not omnibenevolent. Perhaps he is not either, since evil exists in the world. The logical conclusion then would be that if God lacks either one of these, God is not God, and thus, God does not exist.

(Justen) The mistake that atheists make and all those who conclude what Jimmy said is that they admit the presence of evil. Why would this be a mistake? Because if evil exists, good must also exist. And God is the ultimate good. Therefore, contrary to the atheists, God exists.

(Ryan) This is true, yet it still falls short of answering why evil exists. We can say that God is the ultimate good. We can say that we know evil because of the good that does exist, but that still leaves the question as to why evil exist unanswered.

(Justen) There are a few ways of viewing this from the Christian worldview. First, there is the free-will answer: Man/Satan chose by his own free will to be evil. Evil exists, but God had nothing to do with it. Satan is the author of evil, not God. The problem with that is there is no sufficient cause for the effect. If Satan was perfect, then a suitable cause for the effect of evil could not come from him. Having a free will doesn't create motivations or causes where there are none.

Second, you have the Augustine who said that evil is not a thing, but the absence of a thing. It is the absence of good we see when we sense evil. So, God didn't create evil — neither did man. It does not exist.

Problem: Evil sure does seem real. It may not exist like I do, like beings do. Its effects are far too obvious to not exist in some form. The absence of good does not instantly make things evil. God pronounced creation good, but Augustine's solution seems to leave anything that is absent of moral good as evil. Though I really don't like neckties and have a sneaky suspicion they are evil. So, Augustine was only mostly wrong.

(Ryan) Modern Charismatics have a solution: God is good all the time! God only gives, the devil takes, suffering and evil do not come from God, but from the devil. Problem: I don't mean to be uncharitable towards our charismatic friends, but that's not in the Bible. The Scriptures say the opposite, that those who live godly lives will necessarily find suffering and persecution as part of their life. God gives a painful promise to his people when Paul says to Timothy, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."( ) So that solution is just not possible. (Jimmy) As Justen mentioned earlier the "normal" Reformed answer is that we don't have a problem of evil, but a problem of good. The mystery isn't that God could allow evil to begin and continue to exist in the world — the mystery is that God would allow any good to happen to bad people like us. True enough, but that's no help. It's an answer to a question, but not the question of why we have evil in this world. But it is true — it's just not the answer to "Why is there evil in the world?" I believe the reason why Satan could be created perfect, and yet fall, is that while he was perfect, he was still a creature, not a creator. He was not a deity — he was lower than God. Only God is immutable (; ; ). Thus, Satan could "naturally" degrade without God forcing him to sin or inject him with unbelief. God allowed it to happen for his greater glory, but he did not force it upon Satan or mankind.

COFFEE BREAK

(Justen) Welcome back.

(Ryan) I would like to continue our discussion on the problem of evil by looking at the Second London Baptist Confession 1689. Chapter 5 of the confession deals with providence. I can define providence briefly in two ways: First, providence is simply God’s provision for the things he has made. When Ruth stumbles into the field of Boaz and gleans from his field, Boaz sends barely home with Ruth to give to Naomi. This is an example of God’s providence. Second, providence is the means by which God accomplishes his decree. We’ll look at this more in some detail, but in Peter’s sermon in we see both the decree and the means. Peter says that God delivered Jesus to be crucified according to what he had foreordained. How was this accomplished? Peter says in the next breath that lawless men put Christ to death. Therefore, the decree was that God’s Son would die. The providence was in the fact that God used people to crucify his own Son. What does the 1689 have to say?

(Jimmy) The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his providence, that his determinate Counsel extends itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of angels and men; and that not by a bare permission, which also he most wisely and powerfully bounds, and otherwise orders and governs, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceeds only from the Creatures, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.

(Ryan) So, there are a few things to mention. First, having already talked about providence, the Confession goes on to say that God ordained the Fall and all other actions of sinful men and angels. What do we make of this?

(Justen) Well, first of all, if God is not sovereign over all things, then God is not God. Second, notice the words of the Confession. God has unsearchable wisdom. says that the secret things belong to God. Next, it says that God is infinitely good. God cannot do that which is contrary to his nature. In his wisdom, how he ordains all things, even evil things, God retains his goodness.

(Ryan) Right. And one of those areas in which we see God’s goodness is that men and angels are permitted to sin, but not by bare permission. That simply means that God allows sin, but he doesn’t allow it in an unrestrained way. God’s providence does more in restraining sin than in permitting it. Providence restrains sin even in its permission – all for his glory and a greater good.

God gives what is called a ‘common grace’ to all. He makes the rain fall on both the just and unjust. The opposite of that, then, is when God removes his restraining grace. We see this in the instance of Pharaoh – that God hardened his heart. We see this in where God gives people over to the depravity of their minds. So, then, this restraining grace keeps people from being as bad as they can be. Thus, the confession is stating is that God controls even the evil which we see in this world. He does so according to his wisdom to bring about a greater purpose.

(Jimmy) R.C. Sproul - “Yet the fact that evil exists in a universe governed by a perfectly holy God must mean that he has good purpose in mind. We see this in God’s answer to the wickedness of Joseph’s brothers: the brothers meant their deed for evil, and it was terribly evil, but God meant it for good and brought much good out of it.”

Thomas Watson said it well: “God permitted their sin, which he never would, if he could not bring good out of it.”

(Ryan) I think we are beginning to see an answer to the question to the problem of evil. The confession answers that for us when it states that God ordains evil towards a holy end. In other words, God permits the existence of evil to bring about a greater good.

Paul Helm maintains: “God could have created men and women who freely…did only what was morally right,” God did not for an important reason: “that out of evil a greater good would come, a good that could not have come, or could not have been as great, if there had not been evil.” Thus, we again see the greater good argument. God’s ends are holy; God remains holy even in the means he uses to his ends.

(Justen) Of course without evil there would be no sin and without sin there would be no Savior.

(Ryan) Yes, and the question remains, well why create us in the first place? For his glory. We must understand that all God does is for his glory and in order that his attributes may be put on display. In saving us he displays his grace, and, in his judgement, he displays his wrath. These would not have come about if God had chosen not to create mankind.

(Jimmy) Is God the author of sin? No. Stephen Charnock is helpful when he says, “God never willed sin by his preceptive will. It was never founded upon or produced by any word of his, as the creation was. He never said, ‘Let there be sin under the heavens,’ as he said, ‘Let there be water under the heavens.’ Nor does he will it by infusing any habit of it, or stirring up inclinations to it; no, ‘God tempts no man’ (). Nor does he will it by his approving will; it is detestable to him, nor ever can he be otherwise. [Yet] the will of God is in some sort concurrent with sin. He does not properly will it, but he wills not to hinder it. To will sin as sin would be an unanswerable blemish on God. But to will to permit it in order for good is the glory of his wisdom. [sin] would never have peeped up its head, unless there had been some decree of God concerning it. And there would have been no decree concerning it had not God intended to bring good and glory out of it. God wills the permission of sin. He does not positively will sin, but he positively wills to permit it. And though he does not approve of sin, yet he approves of that act of his will whereby he permits it. Though God hated sin, as being against his holiness, yet he did not hate the permission of sin, as being subservient by the immensity of his wisdom to his own glory.”

Conclusion

(Ryan) As of now, that is the best answer we can give (unless someone has something to add) concerning the problem of evil. God is sovereign over all things; even in permitting the fall. He does so in order that he may receive glory.

As evangelicals we love to quote , “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” God works ALL things for GOOD according to His good purpose; even the fall, even evil. Therefore, we may be encouraged whenever we see all this evil in the world. God is bringing things to an ultimate end. That end is for his glory. As Paul says in , Christians are to make the most of every opportunity because the day in which we live is evil. Though evil does exist we have the command to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ – salvation that would not have been made available if the world was without sin.

(Jimmy) Thank you for listening to this episode of the Made New Podcast. If you would, please share our content on social media, leave us a review on iTunes, and visit our website. Until next time, grace and peace.