How Can a Loving God Allow Evil to Exist? A Look at Hamartiology

Hamartiology and theodicy are some of the most discussed theologies both by theists and atheists.  Theists discuss these as they derive and discuss understandings of God’s grace, mercy, justice, holiness, and other attributes and His creation; whereas, the atheists discuss these as a way of supporting their view that there cannot be a God because of the inconsistencies, which they argue, must exist because if there is an all-powerful God why is there also evil in the world.  It is important for these topics to be deliberated because the Word of God does provide answers to the study of sin as well as the doctrine of God’s justice, and as believers there is a need to “always be ready to give a defense”.[1] 

J.S. Feinberg says that “a successful theodicy resolves the problem of evil for a theological system and demonstrates that God is all-powerful, all-loving, and just despite evil’s existence.”[2]   The problem of evil is a great challenge believers face in defending their faith.  In his article on the problem of evil, Dr. Feinberg argues there are many problems with evil, there is “religious”, “philosophical/theological”, as well as the “intensity and gratuitousness of evil” just to mention a few.[3]  Evil does exist in the world, one simply turns on the news and sees the many atrocities that mankind commits, yet it is very mistaken to attribute this evil to God.  Evil exists as a result of man’s heart and mind being twisted away from the holiness of God towards his/her own thoughts and desires.

Evil is evident both in moral and natural aspects.  Dr. John Gerstner describes these two aspects of evil as “bad (moral evil) or the harmful (natural evil).”[4] An example of moral evil would be a person making the conscious choice to kill a fellow person.  Natural evil would be when there are unintended victims as a result of poor choices, for instance the person who drinks alcohol and then drives and as a result kills or injures another individual.

The philosophical problem of moral evil is a result of the choice of Adam to sin by partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.[5]  Because of Adam’s choice to violate the only provision that God had given Adam missed the mark, and brought about sin upon all mankind.[6] The philosophical problem of natural evil is in part a result of Adam’s choice to sin, and so man’s free-will cannot be dismissed in conjunction with natural evil.  Because of Adam’s sin “The ground is cursed because of you.”[7]  This is also validated in the Flood in Genesis 6 because of the evil of man God extinguished all life on earth save Noah and his family. 

 Dr. Feinberg discusses three particular theodicies, the “extreme rationalistic theological system” best demonstrated by Gottfried Leibniz, the “modified rationalistic system” seen in the Augustinian tradition, and the “soul-building theodicy” in the Irenaean tradition best represented by John Hick.[8]   

Each of the theodicies provides a consistency in dealing with the problem of evil.  This is necessary in order to provide the answer that people desire when it comes to understanding the complex aspect of an all-powerful and all-loving God while also dealing with evil in the world.  In regards to the theodicy presented in this paper, a reasonable defense is also available, but a few other things need considered.  People are finite in their understanding and will always be perplexed by an infinite God.  A look at theodicy would be incomplete without considering Job.  Ultimately Job was never provided an answer regarding his suffering.  In the last three chapters God basically informs Job that as God, He does not have to provide rhyme or reason to the finite mind, however, when one considers the outcome in Job’s life his wealth and family were doubled.  Romans 8:28 is a verse that should be carefully considered when looking at the issue of God’s justice.  Thus evil exists as a result of man and man’s choices and desires, yet even man’s evil can be used for God’s good.  When one considers the Scriptures mentioned, evil is a result of the choice of Adam to sin, thus bringing evil into what was a perfect world.

It is imperative to realize that personal experiences of evil can affect the lives of an individual and their relationship with God.  When it comes to evil occurring in a person’s life they are responsible for how they handle the pain and grief caused by evil.  Many people will chose to look at God unjustly, they will argue that they are a good person evil should not happen to them.  There are two flaws with this supposition; first is the supposition that they are a good person, “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory”.[9]  Secondly, even if a person is saved we still live in a fallen world, and God makes it clear that “rain on the righteous and the unrighteous”.[10]  The other opportunity is for people to look at the trials and tribulations through the lens of James 1:2-4.

In conclusion, as believers we need to understand both the doctrine of sin and God’s justice.  We live in a fallen world, as a result of Adam’s sin, yet there is hope through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to overcome sin.  Someday all evil will be eradicated, and those who have Christ as their savior and LORD will again be restored to the perfection God has intended.

Bibliography

Feinberg, John. "Evil, Problem of." In Evangelical Dictionary of Theolgoy. 2nd ed, edited by Walter Elwell, 413-15. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2001.

Feinberg, John. "Theodicy." In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. 2nd ed, edited by Walter Elwell, 1184-87. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2001.

Gerstner, John. "Evil." In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. 2nd ed, edited by Walter Elwell, 412-13. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2001.

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[1] 1 Peter 3:15 Holman Christian Standard Bible

[2] John Feinberg, “Theodicy,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd ed., ed. Walter Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2001), 1184-87.

[3] John Feinberg, “Evil, Problem of,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd ed., ed. Walter Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2001), 413-15.

[4] John Gerstner, “Evil,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd ed., ed. Walter Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2001), 412-13

[5] Genesis 3:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible

[6] Romans 5:12-21 HCSB

[7] Genesis 3:17

[8] John Feinberg, “Theodicy,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd ed., ed. Walter Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2001), 1184-87.

[9] Romans 3:23, HCSB

[10] Matthew 5:45, HCSB