Why has God permitted suffering?

[wavy]

Silver Bullet,

As long as it is possible that God has a morally sufficient reason for instances where he chooses not to intervene to prevent some evil, then there is no logical incoherency. There is no successful argument against a morally perfect being on the basis of the problem of evil.


Thanks,
Eric

 

[JoJo]

Additionally, I remain bewildered by the fact that the inability to solve the problem of evil does not cause believers to seriously doubt their faith in a benevolent and all powerful God.

Perhaps it bewilders you because you have never experienced this faith. We know, by faith and through God's Word, that in due time all evil will be overcome.

 

[kingdavid]

I believe there would be less confusion on this issue if we quoted the King James Bible rather than the NIV which is entirely wrong in its translation of Isaiah 45:7.

KJV says:

Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

So that's the LORD saying He creates evil.

So certainly God isn't afraid to take responsibility for evil.

Which is more than can be said for us, given that we allow our own Governments to get away with murder, rape, theft and torture (such as in Iraq or Afghanistan), or mass-murder at home for political ends (9/11 or 7/7) - while we pretend it's all for the best and that we're doing the "right thing". God is honest. We are not.

Maybe people could, for a start, consider not projecting their own hatreds and fears onto media-enhanced bogeymen such as Muslims or Hitler. Then they might instead learn to recognize and analyze evil much closer to home wherever it occurs.

thanks for sharing that scripture. i wasn't aware of that one

 

[kingdavid]

it was in God to be a saviour, redeemer, healer, to be humble and many other attributes which he would not have been able to express had man remained perfect and not fallen.

probably the best answer

 

[Paidion]

So that's the LORD saying He creates evil.

So certainly God isn't afraid to take responsibility for evil.

There is not even a hint in the verse you quoted, that the reference is to moral evil. So God did not create or carry out the horrible acts that people do to others such as Silver Bullet described. God is LOVE personified.

It does not make sense that God intervenes to cause all good, but doesn't intervene to stop evil. It is especially troublesome that he intervenes to cause good but does not intervene to prevent the suffering caused by evil against the innocent, especially children and genuinely good people, because there seems to be no justice in that (and we, who are capable of nothing but evil without God, can appreciate that so readily)

I don't think it is the case that God intervenes to cause all good and not to prevent evil. God rarely intervenes in the affairs of man at all. But I think that He sometimes does, both to cause good and to prevent evil. I have heard of cases where bullets from Communist guns shot at disciples of Christ were stopped in mid-air. I have no verification of these incidents.

I think God frequently influences people to do good rather than evil, but if they are insensitive to the influence, and do evil anyway, what can God do except to directly intervene? But he rarely intervenes. No one has yet given a completely satisfactory reason why, but I think His respect for every individual's choices is a large factor.

Additionally, I remain bewildered by the fact that the inability to solve the problem of evil does not cause believers to seriously doubt their faith in a benevolent and all powerful God.

I think God's ultimate purpose is to solve the problem of evil, but He wants to do it through the good choices of people. Sad to say, many people have suffered and will continue to suffer before this is accomplished. But God never gives up on people, and neither should we. My belief is that all of God's judgments are remedial, and that this is the very reason for "hell" ---- correction of all who go there by experiencing its discomfort, combined with the ministry of the perfected disciples. This will all take place after the resurrection. Meanwhile, those who die stay dead until God raises them at some future time.

True, I believe God is both benevolent and omnipotent. I believe He will ultimately do His best for every individual. He will exercise His power to accomplish that in His own way, without violating man's free will. Yes, most of us would do it differently, blasting the evil doer before he could take another step. But I guess that's because we are people. He is God.

 

[Silver Bullet]

Additionally, I remain bewildered by the fact that the inability to solve the problem of evil does not cause believers to seriously doubt their faith in a benevolent and all powerful God.

Perhaps it bewilders you because you have never experienced this faith. We know, by faith and through God's Word, that in due time all evil will be overcome.

Thanks JoJo.

The main thing is that you know by faith as you say, since it is faith that makes God's Word real and meaningful to you.

I have never experienced this faith you write about, despite being raised in a moderate Christian tradition and going to Christian schools all my life. To me, faith is just the word that is used to describe believing something without reason. At this point in my life, I am absolutely incapable of doing that.

 

[JoJo]

Silver Bullet, I pray that you will one day find the ability to open your heart to faith in God. Instead of being restrictive, it is very freeing. :yes

 

[thisistheway09]

It is interesting that a prophet once asked a similar question, and yet he was not rebuked by God, infact God inspired for that write to write it down and we have it today in our own Bibles Habakkuk 1:3.

Many are told that God’s ways are mysterious or that he brings death upon peopleâ€â€even childrenâ€â€so that he can have them in heaven with him.Job 34:10. God is not unjust

In many cases, they blame Almighty God because they think that he is the real ruler of this world. They do not know a simple but important truth that the Bible teaches.
The real ruler of this world is Satan the Devil.
The Bible clearly states: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.†(1 John 5:19) So wouldnt the world reflect its rulers personality, cruel deceptive, wicked all are rife today.Sinful humans tend to struggle for dominance, and this results in wars, oppression, and suffering. (Ecclesiastes 4:1; 8:9) A third reason for suffering is “time and unforeseen occurrence.†(Ecclesiastes 9:11)

Adam and Eve rebelled against God. In effect, they said: “We do not need God as our Ruler. We can decide for ourselves what is right and what is wrong.†How could Godsettle that issue? How could he teach all intelligent creatures that the rebels were wrong and that his way truly is best? Someone might say that God should simply have destroyed the rebels and made a fresh start. But God had stated his purpose to fill the earth with the offspring of Adam and Eve, and he wanted them to live in an earthly paradise. (Genesis 1:28) God always fulfills his purposes. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) Besides that, getting rid of the rebels in Eden would not have answered the question that had been raised regarding God's right to rule.

TO ILLUSTRATE Imagine that a teacher is telling his students how to solve a difficult problem. A clever but rebellious student claims that the teacher’s way of solving the problem is wrong. Implying that the teacher is not capable, this rebel insists that he knows a much better way to solve the problem. Some students think that he is right, and they also become rebellious. What should the teacher do? If he throws the rebels out of the class, what will be the effect on the other students? Will they not believe that their fellow student and those who joined him are right? All the other students in the class might lose respect for the teacher, thinking that he is afraid of being proved wrong. But suppose that the teacher allows the rebel to show the class how he would solve the problem.

God has done something similar to what the teacher does. Remember that the rebels in Eden were not the only ones involved. Millions of angels were watching. (Job 38:7; Daniel 7:10) How God handled the rebellion would greatly affect all those angels and eventually all intelligent creation. So, what has God done? He has allowed Satan to show how he would rule mankind. God has also allowed humans to govern themselves under Satan’s guidance.

The teacher in our illustration knows that the rebel and the students on his side are wrong. But he also knows that allowing them the opportunity to try to prove their point will benefit the whole class. When the rebels fail, all honest students will see that the teacher is the only one qualified to lead the class. They will understand why the teacher thereafter removes any rebels from the class. Similarly, God knows that all honesthearted humans and angels will benefit from seeing that Satan and his fellow rebels have failed and that humans cannot govern themselves. Like Jeremiah of old, they will learn this vital truth: O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.â€â€Jeremiah 10:23.

Why, though, has God allowed suffering to go on for so long? And why does he not prevent bad things from happening? Well, consider two things that the teacher in our illustration would not do. First, he would not stop the rebel student from presenting his case. Second, the teacher would not help the rebel to make his case. Similarly, consider two things that God has determined not to do. First, he has not stopped Satan and those who side with him from trying to prove that they are right. Allowing time to pass has thus been necessary. In the thousands of years of human history, mankind has been able to try every form of self-rule, or human government. Mankind has made some advances in science and other fields, but injustice, poverty, crime, and war have grown ever worse. Human rule has now been shown to be a failure.

Second, God has not helped Satan to rule this world. If God were to prevent horrible crimes, for instance, would he not, in effect, be supporting the case of the rebels? Would God not be making people think that perhaps humans can govern themselves without disastrous results? If God were to act in that way, he would become party to a lie. However, “it is impossible for God to lie.â€Ââ€â€Hebrews 6:18.

What, though, about all the harm that has been done during the long rebellion against God? We do well to remember that God is almighty. Therefore, he can and will undo the effects of mankind’s suffering. As we have already learned, the ruining of our planet will be undone by the turning of the earth into Paradise. The effects of sin will be removed through faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, and the effects of death will be reversed by means of the resurrection. God will thus use Jesus “to break up the works of the Devil.†(1 John 3:8) God will bring all of this about at just the right time. We can be glad that he has not acted sooner, for his patience has given us the opportunity to learn the truth and to serve him. (2 Peter 3:9, 10) Meanwhile, God has been actively seeking sincere worshipers an helping them to endure any suffering that may come upon them in this troubled world.â€â€John 4:23; 1 Corinthians 10:13.

 

[Silver Bullet]

Silver Bullet,

As long as it is possible that God has a morally sufficient reason for instances where he chooses not to intervene to prevent some evil, then there is no logical incoherency. There is no successful argument against a morally perfect being on the basis of the problem of evil.


Thanks,
Eric

No - thank-you Eric.

I suppose that this is another, though much more clear, way of saying that "the Lord works in mysterious ways", since the morally sufficient reason for instances where he chooses not to intervene to prevent evil cannot be known to us.

We must assume that such a sufficient reason exists because we must first believe that God is all good.

This way of thinking is so unsatisfactory to me. It permits the rationalization of absolutely everything, without advancing our moral understanding of anything.

Cheers,
SB

 

[Free]

I am curious Silver Bullet, how do you even define 'evil' and 'good'?

 

[Silver Bullet]

I am curious Silver Bullet, how do you even define 'evil' and 'good'?

Check out my post here (4th one down I think):

viewtopic.php?f=43&t=36510&start=0

Best,
SB

 

[Free]

Ah, thanks.

You stated in that thread: "That which is moral increases the happiness and well being of conscious animals (including humans, of course), or diminishes their suffering. On the contrary, that which is immoral diminishes the happiness and well being of conscious animals, and/or increases their suffering."

The obvious implication is that a pedophile derives pleasure from his victim, increasing his happiness, while the victim obviously suffers. So is pedophilia moral or immoral?

This type of morality is relative and as such is not really morality at all. The result is that you are using terms 'evil' and 'good' but have no fixed reference point with which to ultimately define those terms.

And in the end, you still have to answer the problem of evil from your point of view, including the evil within yourself. It isn't just a difficulty for the Christian worldview, it's a problem for all worldviews, but only the Christan one can adequately deal with it.

 

[wavy]

No - thank-you Eric.

I suppose that this is another, though much more clear, way of saying that "the Lord works in mysterious ways", since the morally sufficient reason for instances where he chooses not to intervene to prevent evil cannot be known to us.

We must assume that such a sufficient reason exists because we must first believe that God is all good.

This way of thinking is so unsatisfactory to me. It permits the rationalization of absolutely everything, without advancing our moral understanding of anything.

Cheers,
SB

Silver Bullet,

It matters not whether this way of thinking is 'satisfactory' to you, or whether you like it, or whatever other nonlogical reservations you have about it. As long as it is possible that God has morally sufficient reasons for any instance of evil, there is no logical incoherency between God's existence and the existence of evil. The logical problem of evil fails.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Silver Bullet]

No - thank-you Eric.

I suppose that this is another, though much more clear, way of saying that "the Lord works in mysterious ways", since the morally sufficient reason for instances where he chooses not to intervene to prevent evil cannot be known to us.

We must assume that such a sufficient reason exists because we must first believe that God is all good.

This way of thinking is so unsatisfactory to me. It permits the rationalization of absolutely everything, without advancing our moral understanding of anything.

Cheers,
SB

Silver Bullet,

It matters not whether this way of thinking is 'satisfactory' to you, or whether you like it, or whatever other nonlogical reservations you have about it. As long as it is possible that God has morally sufficient reasons for any instance of evil, there is no logical incoherency between God's existence and the existence of evil. The logical problem of evil fails.

Thanks,
Eric

I am merely pointing out that while this loophole permits the failure of the problem of evil as a logical proof that God does not exist, it remains entirely unpersuasive.

Cheers,
SB

 

[turnorburn]

Suffering was our idea not his, man has a heart of stone evil and dark, the
first example was Cain. Only God can give you a heart of flesh then you
will realize how blind you were, lost and alone, Ah! but he won't always
strive with man, here I'll provide an example...

I've believe there is a time when the Lord comes near us and touches our
very being. At that time if we ignore him and choose darkness rather than
light we will miss him and he will move on. Isaiah says it better.. verse 6.

Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

[Imagican]

I think most excruciating suffering is caused by man's inhumanity to man. The primary way in which man was created in God's image was the imparting of a free will to man. For this reason, I think God has a great respect for everyone's free will, and thus seldom interferes with man's carrying out his own will, whether his acts are good or evil.

NIce post Paidon.

Let me add this too. God stated that man is FLESH also and for this cause He would NOT always 'strive' with man. Perhaps pain and suffering is simply a 'part' of BEING flesh. And it's NOT the pain and suffering itself that is the central ISSUE, but HOW we DEAL WITH IT.

Genesis 6:

3And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Blessings,

MEC

 

[Silver Bullet]

"That which is moral increases the happiness and well being of conscious animals (including humans, of course), or diminishes their suffering. On the contrary, that which is immoral diminishes the happiness and well being of conscious animals, and/or increases their suffering."

The obvious implication is that a pedophile derives pleasure from his victim, increasing his happiness, while the victim obviously suffers. So is pedophilia moral or immoral?

Thank-you for your comments. I am still sorting these issues out for myself, so please bear with me if I do a poor job of answering your questions.

I ought probably to have qualified my statement by saying that morality is really a question about how our behavior affects the happiness and well being of others. The only way one could seriously pose the question that you did was if one was unable to be aware of or care about the happiness of others (I am not suggesting that you are not capable of this). I think that the very act of not considering how one's actions affect the happiness and suffering of others is immoral. Thus, to the extent that our actions can affect the experience of other creatures negatively or positively, questions of morality apply.

We have evolved complex cognitive capacities including empathy, and this, among other such capacities, permits us to consider the well being and happiness of others. The instant a person recognizes the capacity of others for happiness and suffering (this doesn't take much: children themselves can do it), he will understand the patent evil in treating them as objects for his sexual gratification. I believe that there is some data to suggest that a primary problem that pedophiles may have is in making this very determination: they may frequently come to the erroneous conclusion that their victims would be happy with their advances. I believe that psychopaths are often unable to take into account the happiness of others, but I am not an expert in these matters and I could be wrong.

We have also come to learn that our own happiness and well being is maximized when we live in societys that respect the happiness and well being of others. The Golden Rule has developed independently in numerous cultures, some centuries before Jesus.

In addition to the above, your oversimplification does not take into account (i) the fact that the suffering of the victim vastly outweighs the temporary happiness of the pedophile, (ii) the suffering of the victim's loved ones who care for her, and (iii) the detrimental impact upon the well being of society as a whole that would surely result from the permission for our children to be abused in this way. Our happiness and well being is enhanced by the protection of our children. There can be virtually no doubt that societies that would protect their children from pedophiles would be more stable and durable (and therefore happier) than ones that would not. To suggest that the pedophile's happiness justifies all that suffering is wrong on so many levels.

This type of morality is relative and as such is not really morality at all.

On the contrary, to behave in any way that does not take into account the happiness and suffering of others is what is not moral. How can it possibly be moral to behave without considering the happiness and suffering of others?

The result is that you are using terms 'evil' and 'good' but have no fixed reference point with which to ultimately define those terms.

Once one begins to consider morality in this way, one can begin to objectively determine the morality of an act by taking into account whether or not it increases the happiness and well being of others. Different proposed moral solutions to a given problem might be compared in this way. For there to be objective moral truths worth knowing, there need only be better and worse ways to seek happiness.

Love is more conducive to human happiness than hate is. Statements such as this are objective claims about the moral order of our world. Everything about human experience indicates this is true.

And in the end, you still have to answer the problem of evil from your point of view, including the evil within yourself. It isn't just a difficulty for the Christian worldview, it's a problem for all worldviews, but only the Christan one can adequately deal with it.

As an atheist, evil does not present a challenge to my world view the way it should for someone who believes that an all powerful and all loving God cares for their well being (especially when the suffering caused by child rape and murder, or Hurricane Katrina, or the holocaust are considered). I accept the reality of evil and I am not naive enough to believe that it will go away (even if religion were to go away). I believe that religious dogma can be a source of evil in the world because it can give people permission to not consider the happiness and well being of others. I consider myself a moral individual, and I do what I can to do good and combat evil.

 

[Imagican]

As an atheist, where does you UNDERSTANDING of 'good' or 'evil' COME from?

I have had this discussion with OTHERS and find it amusing to hear one that recognizes the DIFFERENCE between 'good and evil' yet do NOT know where this understanding COMES from. Their answer is that they are able to discern this ON THEIR OWN. By rational 'thinking' they are able to SEE that which is 'right' to do verses that which is WRONG.

So, what is your answer to this question first posted?

Blessings,

MEC

 

[Silver Bullet]

As an atheist, where does you UNDERSTANDING of 'good' or 'evil' COME from?

I have had this discussion with OTHERS and find it amusing to hear one that recognizes the DIFFERENCE between 'good and evil' yet do NOT know where this understanding COMES from. Their answer is that they are able to discern this ON THEIR OWN. By rational 'thinking' they are able to SEE that which is 'right' to do verses that which is WRONG.

So, what is your answer to this question first posted?

Blessings,

MEC

We are aware of happiness, well being, and suffering, so morality, good & evil, flow from that.

In return, I would ask if you believe that without the Bible, you would be unable to understand, or identify good and evil?

Many believers say that without God, there is no morality. But if it could be proven that God does not exist (which is impossible, but let's suppose for the sake of the question that it was), would you stop caring about the happiness and well being of others?

 

[Pogo]

I've copied the following from another thread in a different forum on this site.

It's a little long, but I think that it's worth the read.

Other replies in this thread have touched on some of the same things mentioned below, but not all, unless I missed it.

In Christ,

Pogo

..............................................................................................

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Or

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?


If Jehovah God is all-powerful, loving, wise, and just, why is the world so full of pain, hatred and injustice? People ask “Why?†when war, disaster, disease, or crime takes their innocent loved ones, destroys their home, or brings them untold suffering in other ways. They want to know why such tragedies befall them.

Why does God allow suffering? Is it wrong to ask why God allows suffering? Some worry that asking such a question means that they do not have enough faith or that they are showing disrespect for God. When reading the Bible, however, you will find that faithful, God-fearing people had similar questions. For example, the prophet Habakkuk asked God…â€ÂWhy do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.†- Habakkuk 1:3-4 ASV.

Did God scold the faithful prophet Habakkuk for asking such questions? No. Instead, God included Habakkuk’s sincere words in the inspired Bible record. God also helped him to get a clearer understanding of these matters and to gain greater faith. God wants to do the same for you. Remember, the Bible teaches that God cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7). God hates wickedness and the suffering it causes far more than any human does (Isaiah 55:8-9). Why, then, is there so much suffering in this world?

WHY SO MUCH SUFFERING?

People of various religions have gone to their religious leaders and teachers to ask why there is so much suffering. Often, the response is that suffering is God’s will and that He long ago determined everything that would ever happen, including tragic events. Many are told that God’s ways are mysterious or that He brings death upon people – even children – so that He can have them in heaven with Him. As you will learn, though, God never causes what is bad. The Bible says, â€ÂTherefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.†- Job 34:10 KJV.

Do you know why some people make the mistake of blaming God for all of the suffering in the world? In many cases, they blame Almighty God because they think that He is the real ruler of this world. They do not know a simple but important truth that the Bible teaches. The real ruler of this world is Satan the Devil.

The Bible clearly states that the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one (1 John 5:19). When you think about it, does that not make sense? This world reflects the personality of the invisible spirit creature who is misleading the entire inhabited earth (Revelation 12:9). Satan is hateful, deceptive, and cruel. So the world, under his influence, is full of hatred, deceit, and cruelty. That is one reason why there is so much suffering.

A second reason why there is so much suffering is that mankind has been imperfect and sinful ever since the rebellion in the Garden of Eden. Sinful humans tend to struggle for dominance, and this results in wars, oppression, and suffering (Ecclesiastes 4:1; 8:9). A third reason for suffering is time and unforeseen occurrence (Ecclesiastes 9:11). In a world without God as a protective Ruler, people may suffer simply because they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It is important, and comforting, for us to know that God does not cause suffering. He is not responsible for the wars, the oppression, the crimes, the diseases, or even the natural disasters that cause people to suffer. Still, we want to know, why does God allow all of this suffering? If He is the Almighty, He has the power to stop it. Why, then, does He hold back? The loving God that we have come to know must have a good reason (1 John 4:8).

A VITAL ISSUE IS RAISED!

To find out why God allows suffering, we need to think back to the time when suffering began. When Satan led Adam and Eve into disobeying God, an important question was raised. Satan did not call into question God’s power. Even Satan knows that there is no limit to God’s power. Rather, Satan questioned God’s right to rule. By calling God a liar who withholds good from His subjects, Satan charged that God is a bad ruler (Genesis 3:2-5). Satan implied that mankind would be better off without God’s leadership. This was an attack on God’s sovereignty, His right to rule.

Adam and Eve rebelled against God. In effect, they said: We do not need God as our Ruler. We can decide for ourselves what is right and what is wrong. How could God settle that issue? How could He teach all intelligent creatures that the rebels were wrong and that His way truly is best? Someone might say that God should simply have destroyed the rebels and made a fresh start. But God had stated His purpose to fill the earth with the offspring of Adam and Eve, and He wanted them to live in an earthly paradise (Genesis 1:28). God always fulfills His purposes (Isaiah 55:10-11). Besides that, getting rid of the rebels in Eden would not have answered the question that had been raised regarding God’s right to rule.

Let us consider an illustration. Imagine that a teacher is telling his students how to solve a difficult problem. A clever but rebellious student claims that the teacher’s way of solving the problem is wrong. Implying that the teacher is not capable, this rebel insists that he knows a much better way to solve the problem. Some of the other students begin to think that this student is right, and they also become rebellious. What should the teacher do? If he throws the rebels out of the class, what will be the effect on the other students? Will they not believe that their fellow student and those who joined him are right? All of the other students in the class might lose respect for the teacher, thinking that he is afraid of being proved wrong. But suppose that the teacher allows the rebel to show the class how he would solve the problem.

God has done something similar to what the teacher does in our example above. Remember that the rebels in Eden were not the only ones involved. Millions of angels were watching (Job 38:7; Daniel 7:10). How God handled the rebellion would greatly affect all those angels and eventually all intelligent creation. So, what has God done? He has allowed Satan to show how he would rule mankind. God has also allowed humans to govern themselves under Satan’s guidance.

The teacher in our illustration knows that the rebel and the students on his side are wrong. But he also knows that allowing them the opportunity to try and prove their point will benefit the whole class. When the rebels fail, all honest students will see that the teacher is the only one qualified to lead the class. They will understand why the teacher thereafter removes any rebels from the class. Similarly, God knows that all honest hearted humans and angels will benefit from seeing that Satan and his followers have failed and that humans cannot govern themselves. Like Jeremiah of old, they will learn this vital truth: “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.†– Jeremiah 10:23 KJV.

WHY SO LONG?

Why, though, has God allowed suffering to go on for so long? And why does He not prevent bad things from happening? Well, consider two things that the teacher in our illustration would not do. First, he would not stop the rebel student from presenting his case. Second, the teacher would not help the rebel to make his case. Similarly, consider two things that God has determined not to do. First, He has not stopped Satan and those who side with him from trying to prove that they are right. Allowing time to pass has thus been necessary. In the thousands of years of human history, mankind has been able to try every form of self-rule, or human government. Mankind has made some advances in science and other fields, but injustice, poverty, disease, crime and war have grown ever worse. Human rule has now been shown to be a failure.

Second, God has not helped Satan to rule this world. If God were to prevent horrible crimes or diseases, for instance, would He not in effect, be supporting the case of the rebels? Would God not be making people think that perhaps humans can govern themselves without disastrous results? If God were to act in that way, He would become party to a lie. However, it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).

Satan, Adam, and Eve made the worst possible use of their free will.

They rejected God.

We each have also received the gift of free will, how do you intend to use yours?