A Deep Dive into the Problem of Evil: God's Sovereignty and Human Suffering

What is the problem of evil?

The problem of evil confronts the tension between God’s omnipotence, moral perfection, and the reality of human suffering, as seen in biblical narratives like Job’s affliction.

This theological dilemma questions how a sovereign, benevolent God permits evil and pain. In Job 1:12, God grants Satan authority to test Job’s faith through suffering, illustrating that divine permission for evil operates within boundaries not fully explained. Such passages highlight the limits of human understanding in reconciling God’s purposes with the presence of affliction.

The Bible does not offer a simplistic resolution but acknowledges the complexity of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. For instance, Job’s suffering arises not from his sin but as a trial of his faithfulness, suggesting that evil may serve purposes beyond immediate comprehension. Scripture often frames suffering as a context for testing character, deepening reliance on God, and revealing spiritual truths. However, these explanations do not fully address the difficult question of why God allows evil to exist.

The biblical narrative points to a future resolution of evil’s presence through Christ’s redemptive work. While the problem of evil remains a significant challenge, the Bible invites believers to trust in God’s wisdom and justice, even when His ways transcend human reasoning. This tension sets the stage for deeper exploration of how Scripture addresses suffering and the hope it offers for ultimate restoration.

Evil and Divine Sovereignty in Job

In the book of Job, the interplay between divine sovereignty and human suffering is vividly illustrated through God’s explicit permission for Satan to afflict Job.

Job 1:12 records God granting Satan authority to strip Job of his possessions and children, but with the boundary that Job’s life must be spared. This framework reveals that evil, while permitted, operates within divine limits not fully accessible to human comprehension. The narrative in Job 2:7-8 extends this pattern, allowing Satan to afflict Job’s body with sores yet preserving his life and faith. Importantly, the text neither explains the rationale for these trials nor justifies their cruelty, underscoring the limits of human understanding in the face of divine purposes. Job’s unwavering faith amid suffering - despite his pleas for answers - highlights the tension between God’s inscrutable sovereignty and human longing for moral clarity.

This episode underscores the biblical portrayal of evil as a permitted, yet purpose-bound reality. While the narrative does not resolve the mystery of why God allows suffering, it frames such trials as part of a larger story of testing and ultimate redemption. The book of Job thus invites believers to trust in God’s sovereignty even when His purposes remain veiled, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture’s broader narrative of redemption through Christ.

Free Will and the Origin of Evil

The biblical narrative locates the origin of moral evil in the misuse of free will by created beings, as seen in Genesis 3 and Isaiah 14.

In Genesis 3, the serpent’s temptation of Adam and Eve reveals how human free will, when exercised apart from obedience to God, introduces sin and suffering into God’s good creation. Similarly, Isaiah 14 describes the fall of Lucifer, an angelic being who rebelled against God through prideful self-exaltation, illustrating that moral evil arises from creatures’ autonomous choices. These accounts suggest that God permits free will - even at the risk of rebellion - because coercion would negate genuine love and relationship.

Genesis 3’s account of the Garden of Eden underscores that evil did not exist in God’s original design but emerged through humanity’s deliberate disobedience. The serpent’s deception (Genesis 3:1-7) highlights how free will, when corrupted by temptation, becomes a vehicle for moral failure. Likewise, Isaiah 14:12-15 portrays Lucifer’s prideful ambition to "exalt [his] throne above the stars of God," demonstrating that angelic free will, like human will, can be perverted into rebellion. Together, these passages frame evil as a consequence of created beings asserting autonomy apart from divine authority.

This framework preserves God’s moral perfection while acknowledging that evil originates not from divine compulsion but from creatures’ choices. Such an interpretation invites further reflection on how free will interacts with divine sovereignty in shaping the redemptive purposes revealed in Scripture.

Suffering and Redemption in Scripture

The biblical narrative traces the problem of evil from Genesis 3 to Revelation 21, revealing how God transforms human rebellion and suffering into instruments of redemption.

In Genesis 3, the fall of humanity introduces moral evil through the misuse of free will, yet God’s covenantal faithfulness begins to unfold immediately, as seen in His promise of a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15). This sets a pattern where God works through human choices - both righteous and wicked - to advance His purposes. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, but Joseph declared, 'You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good' (Genesis 50:20), illustrating how God repurposes evil for salvation. Similarly, Jesus’ crucifixion - the ultimate expression of human evil - became the means of atonement, demonstrating that God can redeem even the darkest acts.

Scripture offers hope for suffering by anchoring it within the broader narrative of God’s redemptive sovereignty. Revelation 21:4-5 proclaims a future where 'death shall be no more, nor sorrow nor crying; there shall be no more pain,' as God will 'wipe out all tears from their eyes.' This eschatological promise underscores that present suffering is not the end of the story but part of a temporary, redemptive process. Through Christ’s resurrection, believers are assured that evil will ultimately be vanquished, and creation restored.

While the mystery of evil’s presence remains unresolved in this life, the biblical trajectory from Genesis to Revelation affirms God’s active work to reconcile all things through Christ (Colossians 1:20). The problem of evil, therefore, is not a contradiction to faith but an invitation to trust in God’s wisdom and justice, even as His ultimate purposes unfold.

Why the Problem of Evil Matters Today

The problem of evil remains a pressing challenge for contemporary believers, demanding a thoughtful engagement with Scripture’s wisdom and a steadfast trust in God’s redemptive purposes.

Scripture calls believers to respond to suffering with faith in God’s sovereignty, as seen in Joseph’s declaration, 'You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good' (Genesis 50:20). Romans 8:28-29 affirms that God works all things for the good of those who love Him, guiding believers to seek His transformative purposes even in affliction. This perspective challenges ethical complacency, urging a reliance on divine wisdom over human reasoning in the face of injustice.

Pastoral care, rooted in 1 Peter 5:7 ('Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you'), emphasizes communal support and trust in God’s character. By embracing these truths, believers are equipped to navigate suffering with hope, anticipating the day when all tears will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4).

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of the problem of evil, consider exploring theological frameworks like Irenaeus’ Theodicy and reflections on divine justice found in Scripture.

Engaging with resources such as John Stott’s *The Cross of Christ* can illuminate how God’s redemptive work addresses suffering, while examining related topics like the nature of good and the ultimate triumph over evil in Revelation 21:4-5 offers further clarity.