Why does God allow suffering and evil?

The perplexing problem of pain, part 1 of 3
Pastor Vince DiPaola

Clarifying the confusing paradox of evil things and a good God

Paradox #1. Regarding the nature of God:

God is not The creator of suffering and evil .

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.”(Genesis 1:31, NIV)

The two basic kinds of evil:

1. Moral evil. (Romans 3:10, 3:23)

2. Natural evil. (Genesis 3:17b, Romans 8:22)

Paradox #2. Regarding perpetrators of evil:

God allows it to extend limited free will to people.

“This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.”(Ecclesiastes 7:29, NIV)

“Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness… But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15, NIV)

“The Lord works out everything for His own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster.” (Proverbs 16:4, NIV)

Paradox #3. Regarding recipients of evil:

God can use it to positively change people’s lives.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
(Romans 8:28, NIV)

“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”(Romans 5:3, NIV)

“But even though He [Jesus] was God’s Son He learned to be obedient by means of His sufferings.”(Hebrews 5:8, TEV)

Paradox #4. Regarding the nature of life:

God lets it remind us this life is not all there is.

“For God sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek eternal life. We should never regret His sending it.”
(2 Corinthians 7:10, LB)

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18, NIV)

If our earthly life is all there is to our existence,

suffering and evil make no sense!

If our earthly life is a cameo appearance to eternity,

suffering and evil make some temporary sense!

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”(2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV)