If there is a God, and He is really good, why doesn't He do something to stop evil in the world? Delve into this age-old dilemma as we grapple with the existence of evil and suffering in the world, seeking to find meaning and understanding in the face of such challenges.

An Unforgettable Encounter and the Emergence of a Great Question

My involvement in the first and last fight during my senior year of high school was not as a participant, but as a mediator. I was a member of the student leadership team, and it was my duty to intervene when I heard about a dispute. As I attempted to calm two quarreling freshmen, a confrontation ensued, and one of them, a fellow attendee of the youth group I attended, aggressively turned against me. This incident, though initially fraught with aggression, eventually led to a dialogue where this young person posed a profound question: If a truly benevolent God exists, why is there so much suffering in the world? This was my first encounter with what is known as the "problem of evil," a question I have since been asked numerous times.

Philosophical Dilemma: The Classical Formulation of the Problem of Evil

The problem of evil can be traced back to ancient philosophers like Epicurus, who questioned the nature of God in the face of evil. The argument poses a significant challenge: If God is omnipotent and wholly good, why does evil exist? This conundrum suggests that either God is not all-powerful, not all-good, or perhaps, not aware of the evil, each of which poses a significant theological dilemma.

The Christian Perspective on Evil and Suffering

In response, Christian theology asserts that God, while all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good, allows evil to exist for good reasons. In this teaching we explore some of these reasons. The key takeaway is that the Bible does not give an answer to the problem of evil--it gives many answers. Like multiple pieces of a puzzle creating a bigger picture, the more answers you have, the clearer the picture of God emerges.

Answer #1: Sowing and Reaping

Some of the suffering we each experience are the results of our own actions and decisions. When I see the check engine light come on in my vehicle, honestly, I do my best to ignore it. If my vehicle breaks down, I should not blame that on God. See Galatians 6:7.

Answer #2: People and the Fall

While some of the evil we experience is a result of our own decisions--much of it is the result of wrongdoing caused by other people. The Bible teaches that God bestowed humanity with both great power to effect the world we live in: we can use this power for good or evil. Much of the evil we experience is not directly caused by God, but caused by people using their free will to harm others (Genesis 1:26-28).

Answer #3: Redemption through Jesus

Some may ask, why doesn't God just snap His fingers and rid the world of all evil once and for all? The problem is us. To rid the world of all evil would require getting rid of all the evildoers in the world. Jesus came to heal forgive, heal and transform us so that we can become people who are no longer evildoers. Not only that, but in order to bring this healing, God took the evil of the world upon Himself in the person of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:24).

Answer #4: The Body of Jesus is the Church

The Church is Jesus's body, working on the earth to continue His work in the world. While Christians have not always been perfect at following Jesus, much good has been accomplished in the world through individual Christians and groups of them working for eduction, medicine, the eradication of slavery and personal healing. Accordingly, one of the answers to the question: "Why doesn't God do something?" is: He is. Through His church body.

Answer #5: He Will finish His Work at His Return

The New Testament suggests that God’s apparent inaction is actually a form of patience. When Jesus returns and finishes His work, ridding the world of all evil it will be too late to "change sides." God is giving humanity time to turn to Him before He fully eradicates evil upon His return. This divine patience is a central theme in understanding the continuing existence of evil and suffering in the world. Why doesn't God do something? He will at His Second Coming. He is waiting patiently to give people time to repent so they can be part of that renewed world.

Reflection and Ongoing Dialogue

Though these explanations provide insight, they often leave many unsatisfied, mirroring the biblical accounts where Jesus, instead of offering explanations, shared in the suffering of those around Him. The story of Lazarus and Jesus’ response to his death encapsulates the empathetic nature of God’s engagement with human suffering.

Concluding Thoughts: A Call to Further Exploration

The problem of evil remains one of the most challenging theological issues, but also one of the most human. While theology can offer some explanations, the personal experience of suffering often seeks comfort in the presence and empathy of God rather than in abstract answers. Remember, the problem of evil is personal for God Himself. He watched His own Son go to the cross--dying a humiliating and undeserved death at the hands of sinners (evildoers). All because of His great love for us.