How can an omniscient God allow evil?

How Can an Omniscient God Allow Evil?

1. Creation and Divine Intent

In the opening chapter of Genesis, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). From the very outset, the design was free of sin, suffering, and wickedness. This initial perfection points to the fundamental nature of the Creator as holy and just. Scripture, discovered in ancient manuscripts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, consistently affirms this truth. These scrolls—remarkably aligning with modern Hebrew biblical texts—demonstrate the enduring reliability of Genesis 1:31 and the accompanying creation account.

2. The Emergence of Evil Through Human Choice

Evil’s entrance into the human experience was not the result of a flaw in the Creator; instead, it is traced to the deliberate choice of humanity. Genesis 3 recounts the fall of Adam and Eve, whose decision to disobey God introduced sin and decay into a world that was previously unblemished. This narrative, confirmed by carefully preserved ancient manuscripts, reveals that transgression flowed directly from human rebellion rather than from the inherent will of the Creator. “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone” (James 1:13). This passage corroborates that evil arose within the sphere of human volition rather than by Divine authorship.

3. Free Will as a Facet of Genuine Relationship

Scripture teaches that humanity is not forced to respond to God with mechanical obedience. Instead, individuals are endowed with the capacity to love or reject, obey or rebel. Without true choice, genuine love becomes meaningless. Passages such as Deuteronomy 30:19–20 underscore that from the earliest eras, people were expected to choose life and obedience. The concept of free will has also been defended through numerous philosophical reflections across history, emphasizing that an authentic love relationship with God necessarily implies the possibility of choosing evil.

4. God’s Sovereignty and Ultimate Plan

Although evil exists in the world, Scripture affirms that God remains sovereign over all events. Isaiah 46:9–10 highlights that He declares “the end from the beginning” and accomplishes His purpose. This means that although He allows evil for a season, He orchestrates history to fulfill His good ends. Romans 8:28 reiterates this truth: “And we know that God works all things together for good to those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” Rather than abandon creation, He integrates even the tragic consequences of sin into His redemptive plan.

5. A Redemptive Purpose in Suffering

Throughout history—whether in the sobering accounts of Joseph’s unjust suffering (Genesis 50:20) or in the ultimate example of Jesus Christ, who endured the cross—Scripture presents examples of how suffering and evil can serve redemptive ends. Jesus’s crucifixion, a historical event supported by diverse sources (including early Jewish historian Josephus and early manuscripts preserved in museum collections around the world), demonstrates that the worst evil can be transformed into the greatest good. When Christ was executed though innocent, that sacrificial act opened the path of forgiveness and reconciliation to God. Thus, evil is not glorified, but God redeems it to bring about salvation and restoration.

6. An Eternal Perspective

Human beings live within linear time, but God’s perspective extends beyond these temporal constraints. Second Peter 3:8 notes that “with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day,” indicating a vantage point outside our narrowed sense of time. In the grand narrative of Scripture, evil is a temporary intrusion. Revelation 21:4 promises, “[God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” This vision of a future reality underscores that the allowance of evil is not eternal; rather, it is appointed a final end.

7. Justice, Judgment, and the Character of God

Within the biblical record, the justice and holiness of God ensure that wrongdoing will not go unaddressed. Passages such as Romans 2:6—“God ‘will repay each one according to his deeds’”—assure that a comprehensive judgment will be carried out. The presence of evil is not the final word; there stands a righteous Judge who will ultimately deal with every injustice. Archaeological findings like the ancient city layers of Megiddo and Jericho show societies that rose and fell under divine judgment, illustrating how Scripture’s historical claims about God’s just dealings uphold His moral nature.

8. The Invitation to Salvation

God’s response to evil is not only to judge it but also to save from it. Romans 5:8 states, “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, evidenced through reliable Gospel manuscripts (including early papyri fragments that confirm the consistency of the text), build the bridge that conquers the power of sin. Humanity’s fall introduced evil, but Christ’s atoning work provides deliverance, showcasing the depth of God’s mercy and the breadth of His plan to restore creation.

9. The Consistency of Scripture on the Problem of Evil

The Bible’s explanation of evil is remarkably unified, as demonstrated by the thousands of extant Greek manuscripts—counted and cataloged with precise scholarly care—that display consistent testimony on these matters. From the earliest Hebrew and Greek records found in the Dead Sea region to later codices, the message remains the same: God is righteous, humans have chosen sin, and God lovingly redeems those who turn to Him. Over centuries, archaeological digs at sites like Qumran have only reinforced, rather than undermined, Scripture’s coherent stance on evil and redemption.

10. Conclusion

Evil’s presence in a world overseen by an omniscient God is neither unexplained nor purposeless. It arises from a fallen human race that rebelled against a holy Creator. Yet this reality aligns with a broader plan where God, in His perfect knowledge, achieves good outcomes and offers salvation. He neither authors evil nor remains passive in its wake—He works through history, upholding justice, offering deliverance, and preparing an end to all suffering.

“Then I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God’” (Revelation 21:3). The final removal of evil is on the horizon, secured by Divine promise and accomplished through Christ’s victory.