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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews

If God Is All-Powerful And All-Good, Why Does Suffering Exist?



Introduction


It is vital to address one of the most common and challenging objections atheists raise against Christianity: the existence of suffering and evil in a world supposedly under the care of an all-powerful and all-good God. The argument often presented states that if God is truly almighty and wholly good, it is puzzling that so much evil, pain, and suffering remain uncorrected. This question has troubled many throughout human history, including some who profess belief in God and yet struggle to reconcile suffering with divine benevolence.


Scripture refers to Jehovah’s perfect goodness and unmatched power. Psalm 18:30 (UASV) says, “As for God, his way is blameless; the word of Jehovah is tested.” Isaiah 45:18 (UASV) emphasizes Jehovah’s intention in creation: “For thus says Jehovah, who created the heavens—he is the God who formed the earth and made it, he established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited—‘I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.’” This affirms that Jehovah designed a world intended for blessing and purpose, not meaningless suffering.


Yet suffering undeniably persists. The biblical record recounts human history beginning around 6,000 years ago, when humankind was placed in a perfect setting and given genuine free will. Over time, the misuse of that free will introduced moral evil. The rebellion in Eden brought a fallen condition upon the world and ushered in suffering. Understanding that God’s permission of suffering serves an ultimate purpose, though not readily apparent from a limited human perspective, is critical.


Many Christian philosophers and apologists have offered different perspectives known as theodicies. Ronald Nash frequently argued that the problem of evil and suffering does not challenge God’s power, knowledge, or goodness, but rather demonstrates that God can bring good from evil circumstances. William Lane Craig and Norman L. Geisler have likewise maintained that God allows evil and suffering to preserve human free will and to bring about a greater good that might not be achievable otherwise. While these views do not deny the reality of suffering, they show that its existence does not logically contradict the character of God revealed in Scripture.


Humanity experiences suffering in various forms: moral evil, natural disasters, disease, death, and profound sorrow. The biblical account attributes much of this suffering to the free will decisions of intelligent creatures. Genesis chapters 2 and 3 describe how rebellion against Jehovah’s rightful sovereignty introduced corruption into what was initially a very good creation. Since then, evil and suffering have often been the product of human wrongdoing. Romans 5:12 (UASV) says, “Just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, so death spread to all men because all sinned.” Nevertheless, Scripture assures that God never desired suffering for humankind. James 1:13 (UASV) clarifies, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.” Thus, God is not the author of evil.



The Nature of Evil and Suffering


Evil can be understood as that which is morally reprehensible, harmful, or contrary to the perfect standard of good that reflects God’s nature. Suffering refers to the distress and pain experienced as a result of evil, whether caused by human wrongdoing or by living in a fallen, imperfect world. There is moral evil, which arises from human decisions, and what some label as natural evil, such as earthquakes or diseases that cause pain and death. None of this was part of Jehovah’s original plan in Eden. Genesis 1:31 (UASV) says, “God saw all that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” The first humans lived in a paradise, free from pain and suffering, until their rebellion set a new course for all their descendants.


Suffering is often interwoven with evil. When humans choose actions that harm others, those affected endure suffering. When the creation itself is out of harmony—due to a fallen state introduced through sin—natural disasters and disease also bring suffering. The question is why a God who is all-powerful and good would allow these conditions to continue for centuries. Christians argue that God’s allowance of evil and suffering is neither permanent nor pointless.



The Biblical Explanation of the Fall and Free Will


The Bible shows that God granted humans genuine free will, allowing them to choose obedience or rebellion. Adam and Eve’s disobedience (Genesis 3:1-6 UASV) brought forth sin and death into what had been a perfect world. Jehovah did not create humans as robots forced to obey. The initial pair, and thereafter all humankind, could either live aligned with God’s will or turn away from it. Once independence was chosen, suffering became inevitable. Human wrongdoing—murder, theft, oppression—has fueled the moral evils that plague society. The rebellion in Eden introduced spiritual and moral decay, impacting even nature and leading to so-called natural evil.


This human freedom serves a purpose. If God had created a world with no possibility of choosing evil, love would not be love but mere programming. True love requires the freedom to choose. The Christian answer is that God temporarily allows suffering so that the difference between choosing God’s sovereignty and rejecting it can be fully demonstrated. Only through history’s unfolding, with all its horrors and heartbreak, is it being conclusively shown that independence from God does not lead to genuine happiness or lasting peace.



The Free Will Defense


A prominent response known as the Free Will Theodicy or Free Will Defense is supported by many Christian apologists. It affirms that God values human free will so greatly that he permits evil choices rather than forcing obedience. William Lane Craig and Norman Geisler have stressed that moral evil arises from human free will rather than from a lack of divine power or goodness. Jehovah has the power to end all evil instantly, but doing so would eliminate human freedom. Love and genuine morality cannot exist in a world where choices do not matter.


Ronald Nash noted that the capacity for humans to choose evil is necessary if they are to have genuine freedom. This explanation does not deny God’s goodness. It rather shows that the presence of evil and suffering is not contradictory to God’s character. God allowed sin and suffering to enter the world because it stems from creatures misusing their freedom. Scripture never praises evil; it repeatedly condemns it. Eventually, this permission will come to an end. 2 Peter 3:9 (UASV) says, “Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise… but is patient… not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”


The Role of Human Responsibility


Human actions often exacerbate suffering. War, violence, injustices, and oppression are not divine acts; they are human deeds. Humans have polluted the environment, exploited natural resources, and caused immeasurable harm to each other. Much disease and famine result from selfish and reckless human actions, mismanagement, and immoral practices. To blame God for this entirely misses the point that we bear responsibility.


Jeremiah 17:9 (UASV) warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is desperately sick; who can understand it?” Scripture reveals that human imperfection and sinful tendencies drive much of the suffering we witness. Galatians 6:7 (UASV) confirms the principle of moral responsibility: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Thus, the moral evil in the world finds its root in humanity’s own rebellious choices. It is a solemn reminder that God has not failed; humankind has failed to obey God.



Natural Evil and a Fallen Creation


Another challenge relates to natural disasters and diseases. Atheists often ask: why would an all-good God allow earthquakes, pandemics, and other calamities that seem unrelated to free will? According to Scripture, when the original human pair sinned, not only did their relationship with Jehovah suffer, but creation itself fell under a curse. Romans 8:20-22 (UASV) explains that “the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly,” and it “groans and suffers,” waiting for ultimate redemption.


This futility is not what Jehovah created. Isaiah 45:18 stressed that the earth was formed to be inhabited. Human sin altered the intended harmony. The world and its ecosystems are no longer aligned as they were. This does not mean God is powerless. Instead, God allows the consequences of independence to run their full course. Only after humanity has thoroughly learned the lesson that living apart from God’s guidance leads to chaos will Jehovah restore creation’s intended harmony.



The Greater Good and God’s Sovereign Purpose


Some theodicies suggest that suffering serves to bring about a greater good, though this must be understood carefully. It is not that evil is ever good. Rather, God can bring good results even out of evil circumstances. Romans 8:28 (UASV) says, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.” This does not mean that every event is good in itself, but that God can redeem and repurpose the outcomes of evil for a greater ultimate purpose.


Jehovah’s sovereignty remains intact. He is not helpless before evil. He has chosen, for a time, to allow the world to run under the dominion of sin and the influence of Satan. Luke 4:5-6 (UASV) indicates that Satan claimed authority over the kingdoms of the world, which he showed to Jesus. While Jesus never conceded Satan’s authority as legitimate, he did not deny that the world now lies in the power of “the evil one” (1 John 5:19, UASV).


The result of allowing this experiment in independence is that angels and humans alike can witness the folly of rebellion and the miseries it produces. When Jehovah puts an end to evil, the entire universe will have seen the necessity and righteousness of divine sovereignty. Nahum 1:9 (UASV) foretells that evil will not rise a second time once God deals with it fully.


The Problem of Hiddenness


Some argue that if God exists and cares, he should make himself more obvious, directly intervening to stop evil acts or speaking audibly so that all would know he is real. This so-called hiddenness of God also troubles some believers. Yet Scripture reveals that God has not been silent. He has provided the Bible, a living record of his dealings with humankind, as well as the testimony of creation itself. Psalm 19:1 (UASV) states, “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the expanse is declaring the work of his hands.” Romans 1:20 (UASV) says that God’s invisible qualities “have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made.”


If God forced belief, it would no longer be faith. If he eliminated all possibility of doubt, human freedom to love him authentically would vanish. Faith, as Hebrews 11:1 (UASV) says, “is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” God grants enough evidence for honest hearts, while also respecting freedom. Those who seek him sincerely find him (Jeremiah 29:13, UASV: “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.”).



Dealing With the Emotions of Suffering


For many, the philosophical answers help only to a degree. The raw pain of personal loss, chronic illness, or catastrophic disaster often leaves believers asking why. It is essential to remember that Scripture presents God as empathetic, not aloof. Psalm 34:18 (UASV) says, “Jehovah is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” The incarnation of Jesus Christ demonstrates that God cares about human suffering. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead, revealing that Jehovah’s purpose is ultimately to restore and heal, not to destroy. Revelation 21:4 (UASV) promises: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be mourning, nor crying, nor pain.”


This future hope assures that evil and suffering are temporary. Jehovah has set a time-limit. Acts 17:31 (UASV) states that “he has fixed a day in which he will judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed.” The man appointed is Jesus Christ, who will remove all evil and restore the faithful to everlasting peace.



Understanding the Long Timeline


Atheists sometimes object that if God is going to fix everything, why wait thousands of years? Scripture indicates that God’s sense of timing is not human timing. Second Peter 3:8 (UASV) notes that with Jehovah, “one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” This is not to discount the real suffering humans experience, but it sets perspective. The Creator oversees the sweep of history. The lessons being learned now about the ruinous results of sin and rebellion will stand forever as a testimony that no creature can find lasting happiness apart from God.


From a biblical chronology perspective, the first human pair’s creation can be dated to roughly 4026 B.C.E. By now, humanity has tried every form of government, philosophy, and moral code apart from God’s law to solve suffering. None has succeeded. Mankind has even inflicted unprecedented horrors upon itself. The long span of history will ensure that when God steps in to end suffering, no one can justly say that humans were not given enough time to prove themselves.


The End of Evil and the Restoration of All Things


Jehovah does not tolerate evil indefinitely. Revelation 20:1-3 (UASV) foretells the abyssing of Satan for a thousand years. During that time, Christ’s millennial reign will restore what Satan corrupted. Isaiah 11:6-9 (UASV) paints a portrait of harmony restored to creation. When mankind has learned the lesson fully, and perfect conditions are restored, some may still choose rebellion after Satan’s brief final release. Their choice will confirm the lesson that apart from Jehovah’s sovereignty, no lasting happiness can exist. After that final test, Satan and all who follow him will be destroyed forever. Nahum 1:9 confirms that “distress will not rise up twice.”


This future hope answers the question of suffering’s duration. It has a definite end. The existence of suffering now does not contradict God’s goodness or power; it highlights the value he places on freedom and the necessity of allowing evil’s consequences to run their course. The story does not end in despair. Scripture promises a restored creation, a healed humanity, and a world without pain or death.



The Comfort Found in God’s Word and Christian Hope


Christians find comfort in knowing that God’s promises are certain. Hebrews 6:17-18 (UASV) reminds that it is impossible for God to lie. The resurrection hope, which is central to Christian faith, assures that even those who have suffered death due to evil will be restored to life under perfect conditions. John 5:28-29 (UASV) promises: “All those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” If atheists argue that the existence of suffering disproves God, Christians respond that Scripture provides a consistent, reasonable explanation that accounts for free will, divine patience, the purpose of evil’s temporary permission, and the ultimate resolution and restoration to come.


Suffering often drives people to seek answers beyond themselves. Many come to know God deeply through hardship, learning to rely on his Word for guidance. Psalm 119:105 (UASV) states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Through Scripture, Christians find strength, understand the larger picture, and anticipate the fulfillment of God’s plan to eradicate suffering once and for all.


Faith Is Not Blind


Christian faith is not a blind leap in the dark. It is confidence grounded in evidence: historical reliability of Scripture, fulfilled prophecy, the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and the moral coherence of biblical teachings. The problem of evil and suffering does not nullify these evidences but challenges believers to deepen their understanding.


Rather than using uncertainty-laden phrases, believers can be certain that Jehovah has a morally sufficient reason for permitting evil and suffering. They trust that God’s perspective surpasses human comprehension, as Job realized after questioning God’s justice. When confronted with Jehovah’s questions, Job understood that he lacked the vantage point to judge God’s governance of the universe (Job chapters 38–42 UASV). He submitted humbly, acknowledging that God’s ways are far above human ways. Isaiah 55:9 (UASV) declares, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”


The Example of Job and Other Faithful Servants


Job’s experience is instructive. He suffered tremendously, losing family, health, and possessions. His friends tried to explain his plight in simplistic terms. Job sought an audience with God to understand why he suffered. God never explained to Job the conversation with Satan that precipitated his trials. Instead, God asked Job questions revealing the complexity of creation and the depth of divine wisdom. Job realized that even without all the answers, he could trust Jehovah’s goodness and power.


Similarly, Hebrews chapter 11 recounts faithful men and women who endured suffering yet remained loyal. They trusted that God would reward faithfulness. Christian faith views present sufferings as temporary afflictions that cannot overshadow the eternal joy and restoration God promises. Romans 8:18 (UASV) assures, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”



Trials or Difficulties in Life are Not Part of God’s Plan for Refining and Strengthening His People


Trials and difficult times are not a part of God’s plan for refining and strengthening His people. The Scriptures make it clear that Jehovah God does not test anyone with evil or entice them to do wrong. James 1:13 emphatically states, “When under trial, let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’” This passage shows that God does not use evil circumstances to test His faithful servants. Jehovah, being perfectly holy and righteous, is incapable of tempting anyone to sin. As Lamentations 3:38 affirms, "From the mouth of the Most High bad things and what is good do not go forth." God does not delight in or employ evil to refine His people; instead, He stands as the ultimate standard of all that is good.


Many mistakenly believe that the hardships they experience come from God as a way of testing their faith, but this is a misunderstanding of Jehovah's nature. Jehovah permits free will, allowing individuals to make choices, but He does not induce people to commit sin or lead them into situations where sin is inevitable. As James 1:14-15 explains, “Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death.” It is human weaknesses and desires that lead to sinful behavior, not any action or will of Jehovah. Blaming God for personal mistakes or struggles reflects an unwillingness to take responsibility for one’s own decisions.


While Jehovah permits trials and hardships to occur as part of the imperfect human condition, He offers guidance and help rather than being the source of those difficulties. God provides His Spirit and His Word as tools for believers to navigate life’s challenges. When Christians turn to Jehovah for wisdom, He generously grants them the ability to endure, as James 1:5 promises. Through His Word and His Spirit, God strengthens His people to withstand adversity without ever being the cause of evil or wrongdoing. Therefore, Christians should look to Jehovah for help and trust that He will never be the source of their trials but rather the source of strength and wisdom in overcoming them.


Many people attribute bad things to Jehovah God, assuming that because He is all-powerful, He must be responsible for everything, including evil. However, the Bible affirms that Jehovah is perfectly righteous and good. Psalm 145:17 declares, "Jehovah is righteous in all his ways," and Deuteronomy 32:4 reminds us, "All his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust." God’s nature is holy and just, and He is never the source of evil. James 1:13 clarifies that "with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone." Rather than being responsible for the evil that happens, God has given humans free will, allowing them to make their own decisions, which often lead to bad outcomes. Humans, as sinful beings, are "mentally bent toward evil" (Genesis 6:5; 8:21), and our hearts are "treacherous" (Jeremiah 17:9), leading to sin and its consequences.


Human imperfection plays a significant role in the evil present in the world. Genesis 6:5 vividly illustrates the depth of human sinfulness, stating, "The inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time." This treacherous nature causes humans to frequently make decisions that result in harm. Rather than blaming God, people need to recognize that much suffering is a direct consequence of human wrongdoing, whether through poor choices or yielding to sinful desires. James 1:14-15 points out that humans are "enticed by their own desires" and that these desires "give birth to sin, and sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death." Humans, prone to imperfection, are accountable for much of the suffering, and it is crucial to acknowledge our fallen nature and the role it plays in the calamities we face.


Jehovah’s foreknowledge, as understood through Simple Foreknowledge, allows Him to know future events without determining them. God's foreknowledge is like seeing a shadow before the reality; it reveals what will happen without influencing or constraining it. Just as a barometer predicts the weather without causing it, God’s foreknowledge tracks the future based on the free decisions of moral agents. Humans retain their freedom, and the future unfolds according to the choices they make. Thus, God’s foreknowledge of human actions does not remove their responsibility or their ability to act freely. Instead, much of the suffering in the world results from humans exercising their free will in ways that lead to sin and its consequences.



Refuting Atheistic Claims That Evil Disproves God


Atheists argue that if God existed, he would eliminate evil immediately. Yet this reveals a misunderstanding of free will and the nature of genuine love. If God removed the ability to choose evil, he would also remove moral responsibility and authentic love. Forced goodness is not virtue. Moreover, if God intervened every time someone intended evil, the order of the world would collapse into chaos, with God micromanaging every decision. This would turn human beings into mere puppets. God’s patience and long-suffering highlight that he is not in a hurry to condemn but desires that people repent. Ezekiel 33:11 (UASV) expresses Jehovah’s heart: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.”


By permitting evil for a time, God provides the contrast necessary for his creatures to understand the seriousness of moral rebellion. Once the lesson is fully learned, God will act. This gradual unfolding aligns with biblical history, prophecy, and the principles of justice and learning.



The Cross of Christ as the Ultimate Statement


The Christian faith answers the problem of suffering not merely with philosophical arguments, but also by pointing to the suffering of Christ himself. God did not remain distant from human pain. In Christ, God provided a ransom that opens the way to undoing all the damage caused by sin. Isaiah 53:4-5 (UASV) says, “Surely our sicknesses he himself bore, and our pains he carried. Yet we ourselves considered him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Christ’s sacrificial death guarantees that God’s promise to end suffering and resurrect the dead is not hollow.


The resurrection of Jesus is a historical reality that assures believers that suffering and death do not have the final say. First Corinthians 15:20-22 (UASV) affirms Christ’s resurrection and the promise that those who belong to him will likewise be made alive. The resurrection is at the core of Christian hope. It shows that evil and suffering are anomalies that God is in the process of eradicating.


Finding Meaning in Present Suffering


While Christians reject the notion that life’s difficulties are part of a divine refining process or that Jehovah needs evil to teach lessons, they do recognize that suffering often drives humans to reevaluate their lives. This is not to say God designed suffering for growth. Rather, he foresaw that in a world separated from his guidance, people would face difficulties. Those who turn to God’s Word find wisdom and comfort that were always available. James 4:8 (UASV) says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” The pain of this world can move individuals to seek God sincerely, acknowledging human limitations and God’s unmatched wisdom.


This does not justify evil; it simply highlights that even in a world marred by sin, turning to God leads to hope and eventual deliverance. It underscores that God allows humanity’s self-rule long enough to remove any lingering doubt about who should rule. When the set time arrives, God will intervene dramatically. Daniel 2:44 (UASV) promises, “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed… It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.” With that intervention, evil and suffering will cease forever.


Conclusion: Faith, Understanding, and Hope


The reality of evil and suffering does not contradict the existence of an all-powerful, all-good God. Rather, it highlights the complexity of human freedom, moral responsibility, and the necessity of patience to achieve an eternal, perfect solution. Christianity teaches that God remains sovereign and fully good. Evil came about through the misuse of free will. God’s permission of suffering is temporary and purposeful, and its ultimate end is assured.


Christians must speak intelligently on this issue to engage skeptical minds. Atheists often see the problem of evil as irreconcilable, but by understanding Scripture’s teaching, believers show that evil and suffering are the results of human rebellion, not divine cruelty. By explaining that God allows history to unfold so that all can witness the consequences of sin, believers present a coherent picture. By pointing to Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, believers show that God’s love is proven, not disproven, by the reality of suffering.


Romans 8:37-39 (UASV) expresses the Christian conviction that no amount of suffering can separate believers from God’s love in Christ. It says, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life… nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This conviction upholds the believer even in the darkest valleys.


The problem of evil and suffering requires careful thought, but the Christian faith supplies answers that are consistent, rooted in Scripture, and full of hope. Evil is not eternal. Suffering will be swallowed up in victory. The God of Scripture is both able and willing to eradicate pain and sorrow. Revelation 21:3-4 (UASV) promises that death, mourning, crying, and pain will be no more. Believers look forward to the day when Jehovah’s original purpose is fully realized, and humanity, reconciled to God, lives in a world where evil and suffering are forever gone.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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