The problem of evil is one that has plagued people’s minds for ages. The problem is founded on the question about a good God allowing evil to happen. The question has been used to challenge the good nature of God, his omnipotent and wisdom. He has been claimed not to be good because of allowing the innocent to suffer yet he could prevent the suffering. The aspect of being omnipresent is also challenged because he could choose to prevent the evil yet he does not do so. Again, it is contended that he is not wise because he is unable to realize that the innocent are suffering in the face of evil (Soccio, 2015). However, in response to these important statements, God allows evil because of the concept of free will. God allowed humanity a free will and the chance to choose between good and evil. It is the choice that has made evil to reign in the face of the earth but not because that the good God is not aware of what is happening.
The Bible is clear about God being “holy (Isaiah 6:3), righteous (Psalm 7:11), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), and sovereign (Daniel 4:17-25)” (Why does God allow evil, 2002. para 2). God has the ability of preventing evil, and it is his desire that the world is free from evil. Then, the important question remains as to why he allows evil to continue. The nature of man has the potential to do evil, and God has given him the free will to make the choice. If God prevented evil from being done, it means that he will be denying humanity the free will. It would not be realistic for God to program all humans to do only the good deeds. Indeed, this would also mean that the relationship between him and his creation would no longer be meaningful (Why does God allow evil, 2002). The idea of suffering being beneficial is presented as the reason for God allowing evil to happen (How can a good God allow evil in the world, n.d). The idea is that if God did not allow suffering to happen, humanity would not seek the relationship with Him.
God created man with a free will, and he does not seek to control its use by the creation. The choice is for man to choose to live a godly life by doing what is right. Again, the same person has the choice to do evil (How can a good God allow evil in the world, n.d). It appears that God has the reason for allowing evil to exist in the face of the earth. The ways of the God are always higher than those of man, and when he created man, he allowed his will to rule over the earth. Hence, it is possible that God allows evil to show his sovereignty. Also, suffering as a product of evil is evident on the earth to force the humanity to turn away from evil and do what is right (Slick, n.d). Hence, as long as humans do not shun evil, then suffering will always be.
As it is evident from the discussion, the most convincing answer to the question of why God allows evil to happen regardless the fact that He is a good God is based on the reality that he created man with a free will. Evidently, this is an attribute in His creation that He is not willing to interfere with. Hence, it is up to man to choose to do good or evil.
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