Preface

I want to start with the fact that I — Cameron Williams — am a Christian. If you are looking at this article as an atheist trying to find confirmation bias either for yourself or from me, this is not the place to look.

I will examine the topic of whether God is responsible for the mayhem on the earth in which He created. I will tackle this from the mindset of both a Christian and atheist to see if we can come to an honest answer. Let’s put God on trial.

God created sin and evil

I don’t mean this subtitle in my own words or philosophies; rather, many believe because God created everything, that He also created evil. They have a valid reason to believe this. Put more clearly…

1. God created everything.
2. Sin is a thing.
3. Therefore, God created sin and evil.

Well, what is sin exactly?

To put it succinctly, God is perfect. He can do no wrong, cannot make mistakes, and can only create things to be perfect. God is free, but He cannot go against His own nature. Sin is caused by our — humans’ — disobedience to God and turning away from Him.

This creates evil and sin because mankind turned away from the perfect order and the Perfect Being. Romans 1:24 describes this quite well — in the context of what evil is.

“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,”

This verse may be restated, “Sin entered into the world.” 

Why do I explain what sin is? It’s simple, I do so to explain God could not have created sin. Does this mean God’s name is cleared? No, not yet. There remains one major problem.

God may not have created evil, but He is responsible

As somebody who lives in Florida and has witnessed the evil that has happened to people, I have every reason to believe God is responsible for the chaotic evils brought on by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

After all, God is all-knowing, right? Why does God allow evil when He knows of everything that’s going on, and is all-powerful and can stop it at any time? God is responsible for getting rid of evil.

In response

There are many approaches one can take with someone expressing the pont that God is responsible for evil. I want to start by saying because God is an infinite, immutable being, we cannot comprehend God.

If I had to say what genre of horror was my favorite — and though I don’t love sci-fi all that much — I would say it’s cosmic horror. Y’know, the stories of 20th century author, H.P. Lovecraft, about gods and beings so powerful and horrifying they cannot be comprehended. Any who gazed upon these gods and beings or tried to find them met a terrible fate.

I agree this allusion is quite out there, but just know God cannot be described fully. He merely uses words we know to describe Himself. (Job 38:1–18)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. — Isaiah 55:8–9

We know God can wipe out evil, so why doesn’t He do it? Perhaps if God really did wipe out all evil, would you still be alive? I know I wouldn’t. We all have a sin nature. Instead, God promises one day all our tears will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4). All one must do is trust in the work Christ did for us (Click Here).

Another approach we can take is to consider this scenario: if God allowed us all to live to 80 — and nothing could kill us until we turn that age — would we not be more reckless and selfish? Would we not have longer wars and ultimate destruction of our planet? Would we not live it up, only caring about life until 79?

What if, instead, God allows us to be destructible so that we might care about the life we have? It’s just food for thought.

Final and most important thoughts

So, if an infant is dying, why isn’t God responsible? I understand many have past traumas of events like this. Traumas have caused them to despise God, or to understand God’s purpose for these circumstances.

I am so terribly sorry for anyone experiencing such evils.

These things take place because of sin. But, here’s why God is not responsible; look at Genesis 50:20, which states:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

I’ve always heard it said by the religious and non-religious alike, “Everything happens for a reason.” While this answer may not be the one somebody hurt is looking for, God is in control.

“Well, it doesn’t feel He is in control.”

I get it, but everything that happens, whether God allows it or not, happens for good. Who knows what good will come from suffering; we sure don’t. When I was a child, I didn’t like it when my parents took me to the doctor so I could get a shot. I didn’t like it when I had to move away from all my friends after fourth grade. All these things were done because my parents thought they knew what was best.

I ask one final question, if your parents act on what they think is best in their subjective, morally corrupt minds, then wouldn’t God — the objective and benevolent being — know what can turn to good?

This article is meant to bring comfort. Any hard sayings are only meant to express the gravity of the situation of the problem of evil. I understand behind each question is a questioner, and I want to bring hope to whoever needs to hear this. Think of this as less of a persuasive argument, and more of something to inspire and bring peace. 

Gospel

I want to end with the Gospel message about Jesus Christ. The message that gives hope for the future. The message that the same incomprehensible God came down from Heaven to live life like us and eventually be brutally nailed to a cross and murdered. While the angels were standing by waiting for orders from Lord Jesus, He was forgiving those who were cursing Him. He died loving His enemies, but did not stay dead. 

Three days later, He rose from the grave, having taken the keys themselves to death. He died for me and for you who are reading this. There is no exception to who can be saved. All you have to do is believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him on the third day. All who believe in Jesus’s sacrifice will one day have all tears wiped away. 

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–5)

Thank you for reading,

Cameron Williams