Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
How can God be good and powerful and still let evil exist in the world today? The biblical authors didn't doubt God's power to deliver them. Instead, they asked, "How long, O Lord?"
Key Points:
- If there is an all-powerful, all-loving God, why does evil exist? If he’s all powerful, he can stop it and isn’t all-loving. If he’s all loving and can’t stop it, he’s not all-powerful. If he’s not all-powerful and all loving, why call him God? This is the “Problem of Evil.”
- The Bible does not shy away from this issue. The Biblical writers fully experienced both of these things – God’s goodness and power as well as the world’s evil and suffering. Despite seeming incompatible, they belived both these polar opposites to be true.
- Instead of asking “Why?” when it comes to evil, the biblical authors ask, “How long, O Lord?” This is an important perspective for Christians. We must maintain our faith in God’s power to deliver us, recognizing that though evil exists, God also exists and is ultimately sovereign over all things.
- For Christians, the ultimate question to ask about evil is not, “Why?” but “How long, O Lord?” Asking “How long” is to cling tenaciously to the promise that one day God will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4).
Quote This:
Psalm 94:3 How long, O Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat?
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share some examples of evil from current events. How do you make sense of those things? What do you think God thinks about those things?
- When has “the problem of evil” affected you? Explain.
- Why do you think the Bible is so open about the fact that God exists and that evil also exists?
- Read Psalm 94:3. Why is it important for Christians to be able to say “How long, O Lord?” when it comes to evil? What are the differences in perspective of “Why” versus “How long”?
- How can you help those around you who are suffering or struggling – whether they are Christians or not?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
