result of Adam and Eve ’ s rebellion , a curse was placed upon the earth , and evil entered the world . The biblical worldview demonstrates not only the origins of evil but that mankind was responsible for these origins . We may dislike evil , but we cannot discount the reality that humans are responsible for evil .
5 . Allowing evil is not the same as creating evil . Often , the logical flow made by the skeptic , or those wrestling with this question , is the assumption that because God gave Adam and Eve a choice in the garden , the ability to choose should be equated to the choice itself .
If we consider the tragedy of car accidents , we logically know that car accidents are not the government ’ s fault . Governments could indeed eliminate any kind of transportation via cars and trucks , and the elimination would result in zero car accidents . The ability to drive does not place the blame for all car accidents on the government . In the same way , God allowing Adam and Eve to choose evil in no way makes God the creator of evil .
6 . God brings a finality to evil . While it is true God allowed Adam and Eve to choose evil , it is also true that God sent His son Jesus to die on the cross , take the sin of the world on Himself as a substitute , and rise again , conquering sin and death . God has a solution for evil and ultimately does bring finality to evil . Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins , offering His own life to clean up the mess , evil , and sin that mankind brought into the world . What love that conquered and paid the penalty of sin !
7 . God can use evil for a good purpose . Some Christians make the mistake of trying to pretend that evil is good . Often , what those Christians miss is that God does not make evil good ; rather , He can use evil intentions and actions for purposes that bring about a greater good . Perhaps the climax of the book of Genesis is the hope given by Joseph as he addressed his brothers : “ While you meant it to me for evil , God meant it unto me for good to bring about your salvation .”
While Joseph had possibly some of the worst brothers who sold him into slavery , God was able to use their evil actions to save Joseph ’ s family . In the same way , while our sin does condemn us to an eternity without God , Jesus demonstrates His great love by rescuing man from his evil condition . God is ultimately glorified in the story of good and evil .
8 . Trust in God is key . We can consider these important realities surrounding evil . Unlike evidence for the existence of God , reliability of Scripture , or resurrection , the problem of evil requires the believer to trust in a transcendent God . The evidence for God ’ s existence is clearly manifested in the world He made . We can verify the truth of Scripture by looking at fulfilled prophecies , archaeology , and even scientific claims . We can look at the events surrounding the resurrection and logically conclude that Jesus rose from the dead . But the problem of evil is not so simple . The problem of evil requires us to trust that a transcendent God knows what He is doing and that His way , in fact , is better than our ways . If God is truly transcendent , my inability to understand evil does not negate God ’ s existence but requires me to trust . It is logical to think God will know more than us , but even though we may know God ’ s way is better , we must exercise faith in those moments when our emotions tell us otherwise .
God does not make evil good ; rather , He can use evil intentions and actions for purposes that bring about a greater good .
Ben Schettler is the president of The Center for Truth in Love and host of The Truth in Love Show , syndicated on Dish and DIRECTV . Ben ’ s passion for apologetics , biblical worldview , and discipleship evangelism led him to host RenewaNation ’ s The Biblical Worldview Show . Ben lives in Pensacola , Florida , with his wife and son . Follow Ben on X ( Twitter ) at @ benschettler .
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