How can a God exist when there is so much evil in the world? The
question is a common one among our atheist and agnostic friends.
They reason, “If God is totally good, and total goodness can’t
exist with evil, and the world is clearly evil, then God must not
exist”. Fair question for a thoughtful skeptic.
When we look closer, we recognize that evil doesn’t exist
unless good also exists. For example, we can’t know the room is
dark unless we have seen it in the light. So to compare good
and evil implies a basis for knowing which is which. If what is
evil to one is good to another, then the words have no meaning and
so the argument against God is meaningless as well.
Who defines what is good and what is evil? In order for
the definition of what is good and what is evil to have authority,
the definer must be transcendent, all powerful, and all knowing,
the very characteristics we ascribe to God. So, the original
question ends up being meaningless, because the question assumes
the existence of God in order to create an argument against God.
A thoughtful skeptic will ponder that!
The answer to this question leads us to another question: If
God exists, how do we know Him? John, one of Jesus' followers
wrote, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have
eternal life.” God sent his Son Jesus into the world, and through
His sacrifice, we can have forgiveness from sin and a relationship
with Him.
For responses to these thoughts,
contact us. You may also enjoy the resources at
RZIM.
© 2007 Mountain
Christian Community Church |
