This is the most often asked question in the study of theodicy. Whether it's asked by Christians or unbelievers, it remains as the top asked question in Christian history. The truth is, other than original sin, nobody really knows what horrors He has saved the world from because we can't see what never happened. All evil flows from independence, and independence — choosing to be apart from God — creates the promulgation of evil. If God were to simply revoke all the choices of independence, the world as we know it would cease to exist, and love (God's love) would have no meaning. The world is not a playground where God keeps all of His children free from evil. Evil is the chaos of this age that we brought upon ourselves since the Fall of Man, but it will not have the final say. Evil touches everyone whom God loves — those who follow Him and those who do not. If God takes away the consequences of peoples' decisions, He destroys the possibility of love. Love that is forced is no love at all.
Don't forget that in the midst of all our pain and heartache, we are surrounded by beauty, the wonder of Creation, art, our music and culture, the sounds of laughter and feelings of love, of new life and transformation, and of reconciliation and forgiveness especially given by Christ. These are also the results of our choices, and every choice matters, even the hidden ones. The question of "why" is irrelevant, because whose choices should God countermand? Perhaps He should have never created? Perhaps Adam should have been stopped before he chose independence? By doing that, it eliminates the possibility of love. What about a married couple's choice to have another child, only to tragically lose him or her a couple years later? Or even at birth? Or a man's choice to beat his wife and/or children? By doing that, it eliminates giving them the opportunity to learn mercy and comfort given by Him, in which they can also give to others in similar situations. We demand our independence, yet we complain that God actually loves us enough to give it to us (which is done when we reject His grace). It is not the nature of love to force a relationship, but it is the nature of love to open the way, and that way has been opened through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Just because God works incredible good out of terrible tragedies does not mean that he orchestrates the tragedy. God is good; it's impossible for Him to do evil. Don't ever assume that His using something means He caused it or that He needs it to accomplish His purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about Him. Grace does not depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colours.
People who have a misunderstanding of God's love and goodness will ask questions like, "Why did God allow people like Hitler to exist?" Such people are focusing on the wrong aspect of that historical event. Did God let such people reign eternally? No, He did not. He provided other rulers who brought him down. Evil always rears its ugly head because of the sinful condition that the world is in, which is our own doing. As darkness is the absence of light, so evil is the absence of good — that is, the goodness of God. Light doesn't cause darkness; that's scientifically impossible. Likewise, as God is the Light, it is supernaturally impossible for Him to cause evil.
Evil never lasts forever. God always has a means to bring evil to an end. Evil will not have the final say; Jesus Christ will have the final say, for He has said, "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with Me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:12-13). Jesus Christ is the end of all things, and the beginning of our eternal life with Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment