Why doesn't God intervene to stop evil?

[Achilles6129]

Why doesn't God intervene to stop events such as the Holocaust, the bubonic plague, and so on? What are the Biblical answers, and what are your thoughts? And does this constitute a good argument for the absence of a good God, or at least a God that would be considered good by human nature?

I will say right up front that the Bible does seem to indicate that there is some sort of punishment in this life for sin. To quote just a few passages:

"13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.”" Jn. 5:13-14 (NASB)

"27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number [s]sleep." 1 Cor. 11:27-30 (NASB)

Then of course we have Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26, both of which say if the Israelites disobey God's commands that they will basically suffer and die. And of course we have statements like this:

"24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and [o]acts on them, [p]may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the [q]floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not [r]act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, and the [s]floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”" Mt. 7:24-27 (NASB)

What do these passages have to do with the problem of evil?

"5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Pet. 1:5 (NASB)

"11 I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. 12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the [c]son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled." Jn. 17:11-12 (NASB)

Discuss.

 

[Achilles6129]

Here's a good link which has some very good ideas in it on why evil/suffering exists:

Why death suffering

I thought the author (Jonathan Sarfati) had some very good points and very good lines of reasoning - even some stuff that I hadn't thought of before.

 

[ananda]

At what "level" should God intervene?

Holocaust level?
When 1mil people are affected?
100,000?
10,000?
5,000?
500?
10?
1?

 

[Chowboi]

In Romans 5:3-5, the end result of suffering is to give us hope in God, so although evil may happen around us, we can see it as a test of faith.

 

[Optimax]

Why there is evil is because Adam disobeyed God.

 

[JohnRabbit]

God will intervene to stop evil.

He has a plan and it is not the time yet to do so, that will come at Christ's second coming.

what is happening now?

let's look back and view the record.

God was there in the garden of eden, however, it was man that sinned and separated himself from God.

God came in and revealed Himself later to the righteous preachers of old (2pet 2:5), but even they were met with resistance.

He then raised a nation, in israel, to follow His ways, however, they proved to be disobedient.



man has rejected all attempts of God to commune with Him.

then God decreed that man would be under the rule of gentiles starting with king nebuchadnezzar until the endtimes (dan 2, lk 21:24). since man refuse to let God rule him, the gentile rule would show man how he would fare under man's rule.


Romans 1:24-25(NKJV)
24Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

God is letting man write the history of man without God and unfortunately that includes the pain and suffering we see.

so until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled, God basically has a "hands off" policy, but only as it suits His will.

He's still here for those who will turn to Him (isa 55:7).

 

[bling]

Here's a good link which has some very good ideas in it on why evil/suffering exists:

Why death suffering

I thought the author (Jonathan Sarfati) had some very good points and very good lines of reasoning - even some stuff that I hadn't thought of before.

I read over you link and found it amazing he did not use Jesus’ explanation, John 9: 1-7. Jesus tells us and most of us have observed these same results. God can be glorified when Christians cease the opportunities tragedies provide to show, extend, experience, give, receive and grow Godly type Love.

As far as death goes, is death bad in and of itself?

Is death not the way Christians and the innocent go home and the way bad people quit doing bad stuff?


Quit blaming Adam and Eve, they taught us a ton of stuff. If you need to blame someone for the tragedies at this time in this world blame me, since I have to have lots of opportunities to get off my behind and get out to help others (it is really rewarding and I am always glad I did, but I am hard to get going.)

 

[JohnRabbit]

As far as death goes, is death bad in and of itself?

Romans 6:23(NKJV)
23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

the wages of sin is death, iow, death = bad!

Is death not the way Christians and the innocent go home and the way bad people quit doing bad stuff?

1 Corinthians 15:54(NKJV)
54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (isa 25:8)

victory over death, imagine that, sort of makes death look like an enemy, huh?

again, death = bad!

maybe you should rethink your position!

 

[bling]

Romans 6:23(NKJV)
23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

the wages of sin is death, iow, death = bad!





1 Corinthians 15:54(NKJV)
54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (isa 25:8)

victory over death, imagine that, sort of makes death look like an enemy, huh?

again, death = bad!

maybe you should rethink your position!

I was talking about physical death and not spiritually dying.

Prior to Christ going to the cross there was a sting to death, but:

John 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death.”

1 Cor. 15: 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What is your problem with dying for the cause (since you are always involved in the cause your death would have to be for the cause)?

 

[JohnRabbit]

I was talking about physical death and not spiritually dying.

Prior to Christ going to the cross there was a sting to death, but:

John 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death.”

1 Cor. 15: 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What is your problem with dying for the cause (since you are always involved in the cause your death would have to be for the cause)?

may i say that you dance like a whirling dervish!

however, physical or spiritual:

death = bad!