If there is a God, why is there evil

in the world?Matthew 2:16-18

Matthew 2:16

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Matthew 2:17-18Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

“A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.

The problem of evil

If God is an omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and morally perfect person (all-good), then why does evil exist?

Avoid Dualism

We must not say that evil exists as a consequence of the fall and man’s free-will or it is the god of this age (the devil) that is responsible for evil, then we make the created thing equal with the Creator.

God Rules Over All

How God governs all events in the universe without sinning, and without removing responsibility from man, and with compassionate outcomes is mysterious indeed! But that is what the Bible teaches. God "works all things after the counsel of his will"

John Piper

Chaos Theory

Chaos theory is the study of nonlinear dynamics, in which seemingly random events are actually predictable systems that rely upon underlying order and exhibit sensitive dependence on initial conditions

He can evil and God exist together?

1. If God exists, then God is omnipotent, omniscient, and morally perfect.

2. If God is omnipotent, then God has the power to eliminate all evil.

3. If God is omniscient, then God knows when evil exists.

4. If God is morally perfect, then God has the desire to eliminate all evil.

He can evil and God exist together?

5. Evil exists.

6. If evil exists and God exists, then either God doesn't have the power to eliminate all evil, or doesn't know when evil exists, or doesn't have the desire to eliminate all evil.

7. Therefore, God doesn't exist.

Revisiting #6

If evil exists and God exists,

a)then either God doesn't have the power to eliminate all evil,

b)or doesn't know when evil exists,

c)or doesn't have the desire to eliminate all evil.

Revisiting #6

a)or doesn't have the desire to eliminate all evil…

Yet

Opportunity to repent

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9

Opportunity to witness

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 5:44-45

Opportunity to renew the world

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17