Why is there so much evil and suffering in our world?

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world. - C.S Lewis

 

If there is one reality in life, it is the problem of evil and suffering. The world we live in is both beautiful and glorious and in that same breath also wicked and evil and full of depravity – a sin-struck world. The impact of sin can be seen in the tragedies we have witnessed – the assassination of Charlie Kirk, 9/11, an innocent family killed in a drunk-driving accident, the Holocaust, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that kills hundreds of people – the list is endless.

The problem of evil and suffering affects us all. Every person could share a story of deep pain, grief and loss. These are the realities that often cause people to doubt the existence of God. Many are left traumatised, asking: “How can God allow such suffering in the world — let alone a loving God?”

This question requires great sensitivity. It is not something to be swept under the mat. It demands a thoughtful response from both the atheist and the theist.

A Real Encounter

I remember once at an outreach we approached a well-mannered woman to share the gospel. She raised the very issue we are discussing: “If Jesus is real, why doesn’t He stop ISIS?”

Her question was honest and heartfelt. If God is good, why doesn’t He simply stop ISIS from killing innocent people? Here we see someone wrestling with the reality of suffering and its implications. Let’s look at a few key points.

Human Conscience

“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?” — C.S. Lewis

Every human being has a conscience. Some argue that conscience is nothing more than a product of matter and energy — a random by-product of natural processes that evolved over millions of years.

Christians, however, believe the conscience is an inner alarm system given by God. It alerts us to our faults and mistakes, stirring guilt and shame. It also provides a moral standard: we instinctively seek justice when we are mistreated.

Dr Steve Kumar and Dr Jonathan Sarfati explain it well in Christianity for Skeptics:

“Every day we observe politicians, doctors, lawyers, psychologists, judges, sociologists, editors, police, and ordinary citizens argue for justice, fairness, equality, tolerance, honesty, responsibility, duty, accountability, civil rights, human rights, women’s rights, etc.” (Kumar, 2012).

Humans instinctively know certain things are right or wrong. When we see disasters or innocent suffering, our conscience sounds an alarm. Something deep within us insists: “This is not right.”

Most people, at some stage, confront this reality. Philosopher and agnostic Bertrand Russell once challenged Christians by saying:

“I would invite any Christian to accompany me to the children’s ward of a hospital, to watch the suffering that is there being endured, and then to persist in the assertion that those children are so morally abandoned as to deserve what they are suffering.” (Kumar, 2012).

Similarly, Stephen Fry, in an interview with Gay Byrne, expressed his outrage:

“How dare you? How dare you create a world to which there is such misery that is not our fault. It’s not right; it’s utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world that is so full of injustice and pain? That’s what I would say.” (Fry, 2015).

Clearly, strong emotions lie behind these statements. But we must ask: where do people get this sense of justice and injustice? Where does this inner awareness of suffering come from? Could it be that our conscience, given by God, enables us to recognise and respond to suffering?

The Bible affirms this:

“They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.” — Romans 2:15 (ESV)

It also says:

“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” — Romans 8:23 (ESV)

Our conscience bears witness to God’s moral law. Our bodies and souls groan for redemption.

What Happened?

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” — Genesis 2:17 (ESV)

The Bible explains that pain and suffering entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God warned them of death if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They disobeyed, and death became a reality for all humanity.

In that moment, human beings also gained an awareness of good and evil. They felt shame and guilt for the first time. Likewise, we experience shame because our conscience testifies that we too have done wrong.

The Bible says all have sinned, and all have inherited a sinful nature from the fall. We need a Saviour. This is where Jesus enters the story.

The Hope of Redemption

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He promises never to cast out those who come to Him. He alone is the Saviour of humanity. He promises to create a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more pain, death, or suffering.

Revelation 21:4–7 (ESV) says:

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

We have a God who understands our pain and suffering. Though it may seem He is not yet acting, He has promised: He will return and make all things new.

 

Bibliography

• Fry, S. (2015, Jan). Stephen Fry on God / The Meaning of Life / RTE ONE. (G. Byrne, Interviewer)

• Steven Kumar, J. S. (2012). Christianity for Skeptics. Atlanta: Creation Book Publishers