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This week, we continue looking at five biblical reasons why God may allow evil to exist. As part of our survey to better understand the Christian perspective on suffering, we began last week to look at the biblical concept of suffering and evil as punishment for sin. Undoubtedly, suffering and evil as punishment for sin is far and away the most common reason given for God allowing evil and suffering presented in the Bible.
In fact, it appears throughout the Bible, from Torah to the prophets, the wisdom to the Gospels, and the epistles to Revelation. Over and again, the Bible presents two paths down which man makes their own free will choice to travel. There is no coercion to the left or to the right. God tells the Israelites, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing” (Deut 30:19). Therefore, the choice is simple: “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Josh 24:15). It is truly a free will choice.
Even so, the Bible also speaks of evil and suffering that comes about as the consequence of other people’s sin. In our daily lives, much of the evil and suffering we experience is of this tribe, both direct and trickle-down evil perpetrated by others. Just recently, it was reported that a US retailer lost $45 billion due to shoplifting.
