The Problem of Evil

When tragedy strikes, when corruption is exposed, when violence shocks us, the question rises almost instinctively: If God is good, loving, and powerful, why does He allow evil?

It’s one of the hardest questions in life. And here’s what might surprise you: the Bible never dodges it.

Evil Is Real—and We All Know It

We don’t need a philosophy degree to recognize evil. We see it in wars, genocides, abuse, violence, betrayal, and in the corruption of everyday life.

Some say evil is just an illusion, or simply part of “progress.” But scrolling the news after yet another act of violence, no one honestly believes that. Evil is real.

And when we admit evil exists, we also admit that good must exist. Evil is the twisting of what is good. Darkness proves there is such a thing as light.

What the Bible Actually Says

The Bible names evil honestly. From Cain killing Abel to Jesus betrayed and crucified, Scripture never sugarcoats reality.

• Evil entered the world through human rebellion (Genesis 3).
• God hates evil, but He is not helpless before it.
• Nothing happens outside His control—even when we don’t understand why.

Sometimes, like Job, we don’t get neat answers. But we do get a God who is bigger than our pain and whose character can be trusted.

Why Would God Allow Evil?

We aren’t told everything, but we are told enough to trust Him. The Bible gives several reasons:

• To show His justice—evil will not go unpunished (Romans 9:22).
• To magnify His grace—where sin increased, grace abounded all the more (Romans 5:20).
• To grow our faith—suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (James 1:2–4).
• To display His redemption—He can take even the worst evil and bring about good (Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23).

God never calls evil “good.” But He is not defeated by it.

The Cross: Evil at Its Worst, Good at Its Best

The clearest moment in history was the death of Jesus Christ.

• Human evil was at its worst: betrayal, lies, violence, injustice.
• God’s goodness was at its best: through that very act, salvation was won for the world.

The cross shows us two truths at once:

• Evil is real and terrible.
• God’s goodness is greater still.

Evil Doesn’t Get the Last Word

The story doesn’t end at the cross. Jesus rose from the dead, proving that evil is a defeated enemy.

And He promises a day is coming when evil will be gone forever: “He will wipe away every tear… death shall be no more… pain anymore” (Revelation 21:4).

Right now, we live in the tension. Evil is still here. But because of Christ, its days are numbered.

What This Means for You

Your outrage at evil is not meaningless—it points you to something real.

Your confusion and grief don’t disprove God’s goodness—they remind you why you need Him.

And the hope you long for is not wishful thinking—it is found in Jesus, the living Redeemer.

A Gracious Invitation

If you feel crushed by evil in the world—or even in your own life—please hear this: you don’t need to clean yourself up before coming to God. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or how messy your story feels. Jesus came not for the perfect, but for the broken. Not for those who have it all together, but for those who know they don’t.

So come as you are. Bring your questions. Bring your doubts. Bring your burdens.

Join us this Sunday at Central Presbyterian. You’ll find a community of people who are honest about the darkness in the world—and who cling together to the God who is light, who is love, and who has promised to make all things new.

Because the God who is good, powerful, and loving has already come near to you in Christ. And in Him, you’ll find the peace your heart longs for.