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The Problem of Evil:

The Solution of Hope

Monday, July 8, 2024

In my previous devotional, "The Road Less ​Tempting," I spoke about the pain, suffering, ​and hardships we must endure in this life. ​Today, I would like to delve a little deeper into ​this subject. This devotional will be longer than ​usual, as it is being adapted from a sermon; ​however, I hope the information will prove to be ​beneficial because many of you, like myself, ​may have friends or acquaintances who claim to ​be atheists or agnostics because they don't ​believe a loving God would allow such suffering. ​Although my blogs are discipleship focused and ​I rarely speak about atheism, it is crucial for us ​to witness to the unbeliever. An atheist, by ​definition, is an unbeliever and I pray the ​following will provide insight into how to lovingly ​give them the answers they seek.

People are hurting and looking for answers. They see their friends or family ​struggling with naturally occurring situations that seem so unfair, such as a brain ​tumor or childhood leukemia, or sometimes they may be witness to someone ​suffering harm or abuse and they desperately try to come to terms with it. These are ​just some of the harsh realities of what life is like here on earth. Atheists often use ​these circumstances to argue against the existence of God, claiming, “Well, that's ​just how the world is,” and sometimes they even go as far to say, “…and if there is a ​God, He is horrible for letting this happen.” However, this superficial interpretation ​does not solve the problem. For someone facing a situation in which they only have ​days or months to live, they want answers. They want to understand the "big picture" ​…but we are presented with a mixed world and a mixed picture, and from our ​viewpoint– there is great difficulty in making sense of it. An atheist view only ​seemingly provides a solution, it has no actual resolve because not only does it ​leave the suffering… it also removes all hope.

So, the question is raised: In a world with earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and ​all types of natural disasters, where sickness and disease are possibilities, where ​humans do terrible things to one another, could God not have made a world in which ​this kind of thing does not happen? The answer is, of course, He could. We could ​even create such worlds—they are called robotic worlds, but there are no humans in ​them. We are wishing ourselves out of existence if we ask if God could have made a ​world in which people are incapable of doing evil… because evil is the flip side of the ​capacity to do good. And so, in an existence where love is true and free will exists, ​the view of what is good is only relevant because of the knowledge of what is not. ​Since both are necessary, the deeper question is: Is there any evidence —anywhere ​in the universe— that there is a God who can be trusted with this set of ​circumstances?

Here's my answer: At the heart of Christianity, there is a cross. If the central claim of ​Christianity is correct, that Jesus is God Incarnate, then that's God on a cross. What ​does that tell us? One thing it tells us is that God is not distant from the problem of ​human suffering but has, himself, become part of it. And if that were the end of the ​story, I would have nowhere to go. BUT that is NOT the end of the story! The central ​evidence for the truth of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This ​introduces the huge possibility that, eventually, justice is going to be done; and when ​we are talking about ethics and morality, the most important factor is that justice will ​ultimately be served. So yes, there is a God who will bring about fairness, and I know ​this is not a complete solution to the problem of evil here on earth. But it is a powerful ​argument that continues to change lives …and provides people with phenomenal ​hope.

Conclusion: The Hope in Christ

Hope is the fundamental difference between the worldview of the Christian and that of ​the atheist or agnostic. While atheism offers no hope beyond this life, Christianity ​offers a hope that transcends our present suffering. This hope is rooted in the ​resurrection of Jesus Christ, which assures us of a future where justice and peace will ​prevail.

Scripture offers numerous promises of the hope and peace we receive through faith ​in Christ. Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace ​as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy ​Spirit." This verse reminds us that our hope is not in the fleeting things of this ​world but in the eternal promises of God.

In John 16:33, Jesus tells us, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may ​have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the ​world." Our peace comes from knowing that Jesus has overcome the world, and ​through Him, we can face any trial with confidence.

1 Peter 1:3-4 speaks of a "living hope" through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from ​the dead, into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This living hope ​sustains us through the darkest times and assures us of a glorious future with God.

Ultimately, the Christian worldview provides a framework for understanding ​suffering that includes hope and redemption. We trust in a God who is intimately ​acquainted with our suffering and has promised to one day wipe every tear from ​our eyes (Revelation 21:4).

This hope does not eliminate our suffering but gives it meaning and purpose, and ​it assures us that our present troubles are not worth comparing with the glory that ​will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

In sharing this hope with others, we offer them not just answers to their questions but ​a relationship with a loving God who not only walks with us through every situation, ​but also promises eternal peace and joy when our trials here on earth have ended.