04/13/2011
Author: John Powell
“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” Hebrews 5:8
During our study of Romans 12:14-21 we focused on the practical issue of handling evil –overcoming it rather than being overcome by it. But I also mentioned the need many of us have to look a little farther into the theology of evil. Some of us ask questions like Norman Geisler does in his book If God, Why Evil ?
People all over the world are being stretched by the earthquake, Tsunami & radiation release in Japan and the uprising in Libya and retaliation by Qadafi. I cannot hope to put all our questions to rest in one page, but I dare say that we can be sure that Hebrews 5:8 goes a long way to solving one part of the problem—that being the question-- If God is all powerful and good why is there still evil? That leads to the corollary ?Is evil and suffering necessary?
Romans 8:28-30 tells us that all things work together for good for us as we are called according to his purpose, which is conforming us to the image of Christ. 2Corinthians 4:17 tell us that our light, momentary affliction is achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs all our afflictions.
If that is true for us is it true for Jesus himself? Hebrews 5:8 says that it is…that Jesus, in his human nature, had to learn obedience. It didn’t come automatically. It was a process. It mattered. And for us to overcome evil around us suffering is necessary too.
Necessary? Yes, there are things about God that we could not experience if we did not have to fight against evil and suffer the results of it. The only way for character to be formed is through endurance of tribulation. (Romans 5:3)
It is also necessary that God give us freedom to choose evil before it could be possible for us to receive freedom from evil through redemption. If Jesus was made perfect (complete) in his human nature through his obedience in the face of evil and suffering, it was so he could become the source of eternal salvation to those who obey him in the face of evil and suffering. (Hebrews 5:9)
So is this the best possible world? No, it is not. Evil is evil and suffering is suffering. But if God had not allowed us to actualize the potential to choose evil He created us with (and remember, the radiation in Japan’s nuclear plants was put there by people), we would not have the opportunity to experience victory over evil and the settled character and joy that come with it. As Geisler says, it is the best way to the best possible world.
But, you say, why did God go ahead when He knew we would choose evil? Why do we go ahead and build cars and swimming pools and ride bicycles when we know that suffering can come from them? Because we get more benefit from having them than pain from the evil they can do.
So what about this best possible world that God is bringing through this less than best world we live in this side of the fall? Why do physical evils like earthquakes in Japan still happen? In fact in Matt. 22 Jesus reminds us that they are a sign of his soon return; like birth pangs before a birth.
If God is good He wants to defeat evil and if He is all powerful He is able to. But evil is not yet eliminated. So what is the conclusion? One of two things. Either such a God doesn’t exist or evil will be eliminated.
And that is just what God promises in Revelation 21 and 22—new heaven and new earth in which righteousness dwell! Tears are wiped away and Satan and his angels banished. The best possible world will be achieved in His time and His way. We can trust Him to do it. And it will far outweigh our present affliction.
