Wrestling with Evil: Finding God’s Goodness in the Struggle
The problem of evil is one of the biggest questions we face as believers. If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering? This isn’t just a philosophical puzzle—it’s personal. We’ve all seen pain up close, and we’ve all asked why.
To make sense of this, we turn to two perspectives that have helped believers across the ages: the Free Will Defense and what I like to call the Christ-Centered Redemptive View. Together, these ideas don’t just explain the existence of evil—they show how God works through it to bring about something far greater than we can imagine.
Freedom: The Gift That Brings Risk
The Free Will Defense starts with a profound truth: God made us free. He didn’t create robots programmed to obey; He gave us the ability to choose. Why? Because true love and meaningful relationship require freedom. Without the ability to choose, love is hollow.
But with freedom comes risk. Humans can—and often do—choose to misuse it. This is the root of moral evil. From the first sin in the garden (Genesis 3) to every act of selfishness and injustice we see today, evil stems from humanity’s choice to rebel against God’s good design.
Why This Matters
God’s Goodness Remains Untarnished: Evil isn’t God’s doing; it’s the result of human choices.
Human Responsibility: It’s not just “the world” or “the system.” We all bear responsibility for our choices.
The Bigger Picture: God values our freedom so much that He allows even the possibility of rebellion, knowing He has a plan to redeem it.
This perspective helps us understand why evil exists, but it doesn’t stop there. It also points us toward hope.
Redemption: When Suffering Becomes Sacred
The Christ-Centered Redemptive View takes us a step further. It doesn’t just ask why evil exists; it asks what God is doing about it. The answer? He’s redeeming it.
At the heart of this view is the cross. Jesus didn’t just witness suffering—He entered into it. He bore the weight of sin and evil to bring about ultimate redemption. This changes everything about how we view suffering.
What This Looks Like
God Uses Suffering for Good: Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things (yes, even the hard things) together for good for those who love Him. Suffering, though painful, can refine us, shape our character, and draw us closer to Him.
The Eternal Perspective: The struggles we face now are temporary. Revelation 21:4 promises that God will wipe away every tear. Eternity will far outweigh the pain of this life.
The Presence of God: Suffering isn’t something we face alone. The cross shows us that God enters into our pain, walking with us and offering comfort and strength.
Why Not Call Suffering Good?
Here’s the tricky part. Some might ask, “If God uses suffering, isn’t it good?” The answer is nuanced. Suffering itself isn’t good—pain, loss, and injustice are consequences of a broken world. But in God’s hands, suffering becomes a tool for something greater. Think of it like a surgeon removing cancer. The surgery is painful, but the result is healing. The pain has a purpose.
This is where the Free Will Defense and the Redemptive View come together beautifully:
Freedom Explains Evil: It shows why suffering exists in the first place.
Redemption Brings Hope: It reveals how God uses suffering to accomplish His purposes without being the author of evil.
What About Natural Evil?
Moral evil is easier to pin on human choices, but what about things like natural disasters or diseases? This is where the Bible’s bigger story helps. Creation itself is groaning because of sin (Romans 8:19–22). Natural evil isn’t part of God’s original design but a result of the fall. Yet even here, God’s redemptive hand is at work. He uses natural disasters and sickness to remind us of our frailty and draw us back to Him.
Is This Just “The Greater Good”?
Some might wonder if this sounds like the “greater good” theodicy—the idea that God allows evil because it serves a higher purpose. There’s a difference. The “greater good” argument can make it seem like God needs evil to accomplish good, which isn’t true. God doesn’t need evil. Instead, He redeems it, demonstrating His power to bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3).
How This Changes Everything
What does all of this mean for us? It means we can trust God in the hardest moments. When we don’t understand, when the pain feels overwhelming, we can hold on to these truths:
God Didn’t Cause It, But He’ll Redeem It: Evil and suffering aren’t from God’s hand, but nothing is beyond His reach to transform.
We’re Not Alone: The cross reminds us that God walks with us in our suffering. He’s been there.
This Isn’t the End of the Story: The pain we see and experience is temporary. God is working toward a future where suffering will be no more.
Final Thoughts
The problem of evil doesn’t have easy answers. But when we look at the cross, we see a God who doesn’t just give answers—He gives Himself. He invites us to trust Him, to walk with Him, and to find hope even in the darkest times.
This blend of the Free Will Defense and the Christ-Centered Redemptive View isn’t just a theological framework—it’s an invitation to faith. God is good, even when life isn’t. And in Him, we find the strength to face whatever comes, knowing that He’s working all things for our good and His glory.