The subject of evil is one that has puzzled thinkers for millennia. In all the study and debate, however, we mustn't think that these matters are merely theoretical. Rather, the truths we uphold are meant to affect life in the real world. Our knowledge (imperfect as it may be) is intended to be applied and utilized in our communication with others.

A truly biblical theodicy (i.e., our way of explaining the presence of evil) is one which can be used in real-life situations with the people we meet. Since evil is so obviously a part of our lives, it is incumbent upon us to provide biblical answers for its prevalence in the world. How do we deal with those who use evil as an excuse for rejecting God's claims? What answers can we give to the humble inquisitor? In what ways should we deal with those who have experienced evil first hand? Obviously, there is much to be said along these lines.

Because people are complex and their circumstance often complicated, it is difficult to perfectly categorize them in one way or another. For the sake of simplicity, however, we can approach the problem of evil from three broad perspectives. There are those who are rebellious; these people simply chafe under the hand of God, and use evil as a way of escaping responsibility. Others are simply thinkers; they honestly want to understand reality. Then there are the hurting. This group is not concerned about theory and the like; they want their hearts healed. We will address each of these in order.

First, there is . . .

RANDY REBEL: I can't understand why life is so unfair. How could God allow such evil in the world?

ANTHONY APOLOGIST: There are a number of biblical answers to your question. I'd be happy to share them with you.

RR: I don't want to hear that stuff.

AA: What do you mean? Aren't you willing to hear me out, and discover what God's Word says about these things?

RR: Are you kidding? I hate God, if He exists at all. Surely a good God wouldn't permit all these problems to exist. What kind of God would allow tragedies, sickness, and dying? I'll have nothing to do with your God.

AA: Well, let me tell you something my friend. You had better not treat God in such a flippant and arrogant way. He is God after all. He can do whatever He likes. In fact, the Bible presents Him as a potter; He does with His creation as He pleases!

RR: What do you mean?

AA: I mean God is sovereign and holy. And you have gone against His wishes on many occasions. In fact, your attitude here today reflects you antagonism. You have offended God and must be held accountable for your rebellion.

RR: So you're going to give me more bad news? AA: I won't sidestep the bad news, but there is much more. There is the message of a divine Rescuer, a Savior who came to rescue us from this mess, as you call it. His name is Jesus . . .

Next, there is . . .

THEODORE THINKER: I really am having trouble understanding how God could allow such evil as I see everyday.

ANTHONY APOLOGIST: First of all, I think you need to understand these matters within a broad biblical framework. God is the creator and sustainor of the universe. The Bible portrays Him in many ways. Among these He is described as sovereign and holy. Yes, He is loving, as you have stated. But we can't ignore other pieces of the puzzle. . . .

TT: I think I see where your coming from. And I agree that it is important to see the whole picture. But your description of God seems to break down when it comes to the problem of evil. Isn't this why some have abandoned Christianity and theism altogether?

AA: Yes, evil is a striking reality. And some have rejected God because they can't reconcile it with the biblical picture of God. But there are legitimate factors to consider.

TT: What are they? I'm not trying to be blasphemous or anything; It's just that I really want to know how all of this makes sense from a Christian standpoint.

AA: Before I go any further, I think I should pause to remind you of the Bible's stance: (1) God is sovereign, (2) Evil is somehow ultimately controlled by God and used for His own purposes, and (3) God, however, isn't to have evil attributed to Him, as if He somehow instigates or takes delight in it.

TT: I understand what your saying. Go on.

AA: What we are talking about here has been termed a theodicy, an attempt to pull together the facts that we know about God, evil, and this world. Probably the best approach to these things is a multi-faceted one. There are a number of "reasons," if you will, as to why God has decreed evil. For one, the reality of evil allows God to display an aspect of His being (i.e., wrath) which would otherwise remain hidden. Not only that, but evil's presence ends up being the backdrop to something much greater, the cross of Christ! In fact, in a sense we can view evil as the dark canvas against which God paints a masterpiece of grace. . . .

TT: That really makes sense. But couldn't God have done it another way? And how does God avoid guilt in all this?

AA: Well, hopefully you can see that a biblical world view is not only reasonable but compelling. I mean, God's Word truly makes sense out of life, and answers our deepest longings. But I will be honest with you; we haven't figured it all out yet. Perhaps we won't/can't this side of heaven. What is important to remember is that God has indeed spoken, and His perspective on these things lays the groundwork for interpreting all of life, including evil. But there still is mystery, isn't there? But that's O.K., for we shouldn't expect to fully fathom the God of the Bible. Perhaps we might completely understand a "god" of our own invention, but not the mighty God of Scripture. His ways are above our ways. . . .

TT: Yeah, that makes real sense!

AA: That's good. But you know what is perhaps more puzzling than the problem of evil? It's this: God's Son entered this evil world to save evil people! To me, that not only helps to make sense of this ugly world, but it kind of makes evil serve a higher purpose. You see, Jesus Christ went to the cross to confront and deal with the evil that overwhelms us. . . .

Finally, we come to . . .

HARRIET HURTING: I don't understand it all. My __________ just passed away, and I'm left here to fend for myself. I'll never be able to make it. Why does God allow such pain to occur?

ANTHONY APOLOGIST: I'm so sorry for your loss. And I certainly don't want minimize it.

HH: Thank you. But, tell me, why would God allow such a thing?

AA: There are probably many ways to answer your question. But perhaps the most easy is that we live in a fallen world. Sin permeates life, and brings about death. This is the way it's been since Adam turned on God.

HH: That doesn't seem fair. Why do I have to answer for someone else's error?

AA: Apparently, God saw fit to make Adam the representative head of the human race. We don't know all of the reasons for God's allowing the fall, but we do know that God never acted unfairly in it. Also, we probably should see evil in light of the promise of the One who would crush the tempters head. . . .

HH: I know, but I'm hurting so much!

AA: Weeping? . . .

HH: What hope or consolation is there?

AA: The hope is found, as I've alluded to already, in the Savior. He came to salvage a multitude of people from of our fallen race by rescuing us from evil.

HH: But I feel so awful!

AA: I know you do, but there is hope in a God who knows what's best for us. And we can trust Him fully because He has already given His Son for all who will have Him.

HH: Will He take away evil from my life? AA: He will meet you where you are, and He will give you a standing before God that is unshakable. Furthermore, there certainly will come a day when evil is taken completely out of the way. Then we will see that the struggles of this age aren't worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed. . . .

HH: That sounds so inviting.

AA: Won't you take hold of the Savior? Embrace Him now and enter the realm of hope and life. While pain will persist in this world--sometimes baffling us--Christ gives us stability in the present, and confidence for a better future with Him.

Obviously these scenarios are only theoretical, and life can sometimes be more complicated than we've stated. On the other hand, it is true that people have different circumstances and needs. As apologists/evangelists/helpers we must seek to apply the appropriate counsel to the situations we encounter. Whatever the details, however, each situation includes the following: (1) discernment; (2) a Bible-based theodicy, (3) humility (both with people's circumstances, and in answering their sometimes difficult questions), and (4) a Christ-centeredness. Discernment is a result of practice and the wisdom which is derived from above; may God improve our spiritual vision. Our theodicy is derived from the study of and reflection on what the Scriptures state and imply; may our efforts to uncover God's truth be constant and fruitful. And Christ-centeredness is simply a commitment to the Bible's story line; may we be ever faithful to the task of proclaiming Him who alone frees us from the clutches of a sin-stained world. When evil appears to have won the day, remember this One who is described as a Lamb and a Shepherd. He has come to "guide [us] to springs of the water of life," and through Him "God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes" (Rev 7:17). Maranatha!

Theodicy in Action: Hypothetical Scenarios and the Problem of Evil
Copyright 1998 by Carmen C. DiCello
All rights reserved.