THE PROBLEM OF EVIL - John Azie Kaivin T. Pascual

 

From the beginning of 2020 until this day many tragic things happened. Taal volcano has erupted and many people lost their homes. We all got locked down due to pandemic, companies shut down and many people lost their jobs, some had experienced depression, and people suffered from loss of loved ones. It doesn’t end there for even crime happened many cases of murder and rape were broadcast on television. Police men who supposed to be the peace makers are the ones who’s doing such crimes. It’s really mind blowing! 

When things seems difficult, when God seems silent, when pain is too much that’s when people wonder “Is God really in control?” When sin is rampant most people asked “Is it God or the devil who is ruling?” With all these, have you ever questioned “If God is good, why evil exists?”

While reading the Problem of Evil written by Dr. Greg Bahnsen, I remember the times I questioned the goodness of God. At some point of my life I became like those unbelievers of this age who questioned the goodness of God because of the misery that I and other people around me have experienced. Back when I was not yet a Christian I believe that what is good is what makes us happy and what is evil is what makes us suffer. I had a view in mind like anybody else that maybe God is not real because if the God whom Christians believed is real, He would not allow tragedies to happen in someone’s life. He will not allow injustices to rule in the society. He will not allow innocent people to suffer. He will not allow poverty to exist. With all those things, I really doubted God just like the agnostics and atheist. 

 Dr. Greg Bahnsen on his article discussed the difference between the view of believers and unbelievers about evil. He stated that the problem of evil is a logical problem for the unbeliever. Unbelievers have their own standard of good and evil based on the world view. They complain that certain human experience are inconsistent with the Christian’s theological beliefs about the goodness and power of God. For example child abuse is an evil act if the culture did not permit the act but it will not be evil if in other culture it is permitted just like in utilitarianism which evil and morality is based on the greatest happiness for the greater number of people.

            What’s funny here is that unbelievers always blame God for existence of evil yet they also believed that evil happened because of man’s personal choice. At this point, I am not bashing the unbelievers but I feel the compassion for them. I see their need for the Truth and I am awaken by the fact that I was once like them, blinded with my worldly views. As Christians, once we understand how it feels to be trapped on our ignorance there we will have deeper empathy for the lost souls.

            After all, Dr. Bahnsen explained that the problem with evil is not logical nor philosophical, it is psychological. He stated that we find it emotionally very hard to have faith in God and trust His goodness and power when we are not given the reasons why bad things happen to us and others. But God does not always provide an explanation to human beings for the evil which they experience or observe.

            I had a realization about philosophical and psychological view. Philosophy is the study of life while psychology is the study of human behavior, character, etc. I just realized that the reason why unbelievers’ view when it comes to the problem of evil is said to be psychological rather than philosophical is that they based evil on human knowledge, human feelings, totally HUMAN CENTERED rather than God. It seems like we have forgotten that we also have part in the existence of evil in the world. Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It means all of us became evil. Romans 5:12 “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” Because of inherited sin, humans were corrupted, total depravity happened. This is the reason why evil exists and the truth is we are all part of it.

Yes, things won’t happen without God’s decree but we cannot blame God for allowing such evil to happen. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and so as His ways. For even God Himself offered Jesus Christ to face evil on earth by allowing people to crucify Him in order to overcome the power of sin and that we may have life. This is a great proof that what the enemy meant for evil, God permits it in order to reveal the beauty of His wonderful promise. We cannot deny the fact that though humans fail and corrupted with sin, God’s goodness, mercy and love never fails.

I also have realized that the problem of evil is the person himself. It became clear to me that evil is not the sin itself but rather evil causes sin. Why sin is committed is because of the evil thoughts that enters a person’s mind and causes him to act it on which will lead to sin. That’s why it is important to be careful with what we think for it will become words, be careful on what we speak for it will become action. We are all responsible for the things we do. After all, we are accountable to the Lord and we will be judged according to our actions.