Why Does God Permit Evil?

[Shaul]

Does anything in the Bible say that God of the Bible wanted to put an end to suffering in the world?

Yes, it does. More precisely it says He wants it to eventually end and that it will eventually end. That is part of the the concept of the future messianic age. Whether that will come about through divine intervention or through humans finally getting our collective act together is open to be seen.

 

[nPeace]

Seems pretty clear cut: "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things." - Isaiah 45:7 Why does he do it? Because he's god and - as he says - the only one.

Thanks for sharing.
You're not saying that God permits evil, because he is God, are you.
You know this is quite vague, and might be very repulsive to some people.

According to scripture, God does have the ability to do whatever he wants, for in truth, he is God.

 

[nPeace]

Isaiah 48:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

First of all, as you can see it's to purify people. Make them better. Suffering helps people grow and become better people.


Hosea 6:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Glad you could share.
It is a fact that suffering or difficult challenges can help us build fine qualities. That in itself doesn't tell us how God feels about suffering.
It is noteworthy though, that suffering has affected people negatively - even breaking them.

Secondly, Without evil being in the world; you can't do any good. If everything was already good in the world then you could not show mercy to anyone because everyone would be taken care of already. So God allowed evil so that we could do good.

Do you believe then that suffering is of God - It was here from the beginning, and will always be?
If God allows evil in order that we would be good, why is there more evil than good, and why does evil get worst each generation? As is prophecy in scriptures - things go from bad to worst.

 

[Cacotopia]

I prefer self efficiency over dependency. If I need help or advice I know who I can call on the phone.

 

[nPeace]

Evil is God's tool for making men perfect, or for destruction. So it is a double edged sword, one edge blunt for perfection, the other sharp for destruction. The choice which to receive is yours alone.

Many say that evil was created by God. Is this what you are saying? Could you briefly explain?
Does God want people to suffer then, and did he create the suffering in order to make people better?

Heb 2:10

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.

This scripture seem to be speaking of the suffering of the Christ, and those who would follow in his footsteps - not to the suffering of all humanity, including those not believing in Christ.

 

[nPeace]

I find that God gave man dominion on this earth (Gen 1). Man gave entrance for Satan to have authority (Gen 3, Matt 4, Heb 2) and that ultimately Jesus differentiated that it is the thief that steals, kills and destroys and those who yield to him, does his deeds. (Eph 2)

I understand that you are saying that man's actions resulted in his being vulnerable to evil and suffering perpetuated by Satan, but this doesn't explain why God allows it.
I appreciate that bit of info though.

 

[nPeace]

The Bible - Job in particular - gives a message that we shouldn’t even ask the question because we’re puny, God is mighty, and might makes right.

True God has the right, but does that mean we should not question - why?

 

[nPeace]

What exactly is evil?

It can take many forms, but to give a word picture - I think an evil act is for someone, for example, to enter the home of a family and drag their 6 year old daughter from the house, sexually molest, or rape her, and then strangle or stab her to death...
People want to know why an almighty God would permit such things. Does the Bible give an answer.

 

[nPeace]

The question [that we should not ask] being "why the God of the Bible would allow evil and suffering?"

No, the message is not that we should not ask the question, but that we should give the right answer i.e. ... "of things beyond me which I did not know (things too wonderful for me, which I knew not)" and not the wrong answer, such as any answer that might

Job 40:8
... disannul [God's] judgment. Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

There is more than a hint of condemnation of God in "God is mighty, and might makes right." It is rather "God is so mighty that humans can't be expected to understand God's purposes but need to preserve trust in God."

Yes. I agree.
People don't want to hear, "Well he is God. So there."
Then they go away with the thought, "I want nothing to do with such a God. I hate him!"
All because those who take on the responsibility as teachers of his word, failed to give satisfying answers about God - making him appear to be indifferent and cruel.

Thank you for that.

 

[Cacotopia]

Glad you could share.
It is a fact that suffering or difficult challenges can help us build fine qualities. That in itself doesn't tell us how God feels about suffering.
It is noteworthy though, that suffering has affected people negatively - even breaking them.


Do you believe then that suffering is of God - It was here from the beginning, and will always be?
If God allows evil in order that we would be good, why is there more evil than good, and why does evil get worst each generation? As is prophecy in scriptures - things go from bad to worst.

I don't believe there is any sort of justification for suffering or causing another to suffer in order to "purify" them. That can be so easily misinterpreted and cause all kinds of atrocities to be committed on each other. Excellent example is Mother Teresa, whose "hospital" was in reality a house of charnel and death. She believed that this immense suffering was needed* for people to find salvation. It's a sick and disgusting act to promote suffering.

A challenge, or a trial of great difficulty is more a cause to become better than needlessly suffering. Putting your will to the test and following through to achieve something, even failing, but still trying, that is a catalyst for personal growth.

 

[nPeace]

Does anything in the Bible say that God of the Bible wanted to put an end to suffering in the world?

Good question.
I can think of many places that does.
For starters Romans 8 from verse 18, also Revelation 21 from verse 1
There are also others in the book of Psalms, and others fro the prophets, particullarly Isaiah.
In fact, the scriptures do suggest that God hates suffering.

 

[nPeace]

Hypothetical speaking: God created the whole universe. Quite a Big Job. Humans suffering seems nano-small problem from my viewpoint. Unless you see human GIGA-big and important as compared to this whole universe.

What the Bible says: God created and saw "It is good". God is omniscient. Are you? I am not! So I leave that judgment to God. He created it, His responsibility.

God did create the universe, and he is bigger than you and I, bu he did also create life, so that makes him our father.
What child doesn't ask their father questions, and what kind of father doesn't give his children reasonable answers, rather than, "Shut up! I'm the boss here! How dare you ask me a question like that?"
That's frightening.
As a child, wouldn't you run away?
I probably would.

 

[Jumi]

Yes, it does. More precisely it says He wants it to eventually end and that it will eventually end. That is part of the the concept of the future messianic age.

Can you quote verses on that?

 

[nPeace]

Did you lose God? He was here a minute ago. Did you say something to offend Him? Good people keep finding God and then others keep on losing Him. Try to keep Him for a while next time you find Him, ok?

Good people keep finding God and then others keep on losing Him.

Try to keep Him for a while next time you find Him, ok?

Okay. Thanks

 

[nPeace]

Yes, it does. More precisely it says He wants it to eventually end and that it will eventually end. That is part of the the concept of the future messianic age. Whether that will come about through divine intervention or through humans finally getting our collective act together is open to be seen.

I pick divine intervention.

 

[trablano]

I think this has to do with how you look at predestination and God's alleged omnipotence. I think the spirit is with us and guides us and takes us with him on the journey of life. And life is such that there will be some suffering in it, it just depends on with how much we can cope and how far we have solace and help. If push comes to shove the assistance of a merciful human by your side when you're suffering can mean a big difference. I wouldn't try to get God's perspective from above. This only leads to thinking you could do better than God. This dimension of the cosmos here is probably supposed not to be too easy to live in. The heavenly realm where eventually we will all go is different. Much evil can be prevented or alleviated if we build a good and fair society. It's a work in progress.

 

[nPeace]

I don't believe there is any sort of justification for suffering or causing another to suffer in order to "purify" them. That can be so easily misinterpreted and cause all kinds of atrocities to be committed on each other. Excellent example is Mother Teresa, whose "hospital" was in reality a house of charnel and death. She believed that this immense suffering was needed* for people to find salvation. It's a sick and disgusting act to promote suffering.

A challenge, or a trial of great difficulty is more a cause to become better than needlessly suffering. Putting your will to the test and following through to achieve something, even failing, but still trying, that is a catalyst for personal growth.

I understand what you are saying, but I don't agree entirely.
Would you allow or put a family member though suffering, if you felt it would benefit them in the long run?
For example, would you allow a beloved relative to go through a painful operation if you though it would save their life?
If a close friend is bitten by a venomous snake, would you act quickly, and use your knife though discomforting, and painful to your friend, to extract as much of the poison as possible?
Remember Aron Ralston
There are so many situations and circumstances that might cause one to do what may seem "the worst thing ever".

 

[nPeace]

I think this has to do with how you look at predestination and God's alleged omnipotence. I think the spirit is with us and guides us and takes us with him on the journey of life. And life is such that there will be some suffering in it, it just depends on with how much we can cope and how far we have solace and help. If push comes to shove the assistance of a merciful human by your side when you're suffering can mean a big difference. I wouldn't try to get God's perspective from above. This only leads to thinking you could do better than God. This dimension of the cosmos here is probably supposed not to be too easy to live in. The heavenly realm where eventually we will all go is different. Much evil can be prevented or alleviated if we build a good and fair society. It's a work in progress.

These are thoughtful words... and I appreciate you sharing your humble thoughts... but I can't say I agree with this

I wouldn't try to get God's perspective from above. This only leads to thinking you could do better than God.

Don't you think the scriptures give us God's view on suffering; why it exists; why he permits it; and if it will ever end? Wouldn't he want the human family to understand thing that he knew they would face, and logically have concerns?

 

[Shaul]

I prefer self efficiency over dependency. If I need help or advice I know who I can call on the phone.

“No man is an island”

 

[shunyadragon]

It isn't up to him. I don't believe god created the universe I believe he happens to exist with it.

This resembles the view of the Baha'i Faith, but in this view God both Creates and Reveals in an eternal process where our physical existence exists eternally reflecting the attributes of God.