If There Is A Good God, Why Does He Allow Evil And Suffering?

It is important to distinguish between the logical problem and the emotional problem of evil.

[reocejacobs]

"Evil comes from the abuse of free will." - C.S Lewis

[fernandop]

God is light, and in Him there is no darkness (1 John 1:5). The light can exist without the shadows, but the shadows can’t exist without the light. The shadows exist because we as the objects block the light from shining through us and therefore there is darkness in this world.

The only way the light can create darkness is by His absence and not by His nature. If you want the light to shine in your life, let the light shine through you first.

[nateperez]

If atheism is true and morality is relative there is no such thing as evil... It's just a construct in our minds. What becomes then of the question?

[SaintOfRage]

Really cool to see him own up to his mistake, even though many people might not have seen it as a mistake.

[LittleHatori]

It seems like to me, many people still have a problem with this answer of "free will".
Because they will say,
"God didn't really give us free will. Because he really didn't give us free choice. If we do believe we go to heaven. If we don't, we go to hell? How is that a choice?!"
Ironically a choice is anything where there is more then one option.

So truly it's the fact that they like neither choices- the fact that people want to literally be able to choose and CHOOSE THE OPTIONS THEY CHOOSE FROM.
For them the choice isn't enough.

That's why I think their actual qualm is. The fact they have to decide between choices they didn't choose. And that force of choice makes them feel oppressed.

But if we were to say, the courts must choose. People would be fine with it. (They might be upset with a Court's decision. But they'd agree it was in due process. Or they'd appeal to another court.)

Regardless, I find that people who argue against God by saying he's unloving because we have no choice- yet similarly our state and human laws give us limited choices as well is... Well.. anyway They rather govern themselves, friends. That's what I've gathered.

[advent]

When I think of suffering, I remember God Himself became flesh and suffered on the cross on my behalf. If He can do it, so can I in Jesus’s mighty name.

[naymark]

Hahahaha
" Theres a pastor answer. And theres a philosophical answer". 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 love this guy

[edwardreese]

God didn't create the devil, he created a holy being who fell by the use of his "free" will. And God says he creates peace and evil in the Bible. But that gets misinterpreted. He created the devil anyway to prove that we truly do have free will. He created those in humanity who He knew would be evil in nature (us all, if we would just simply admit it) to expose the devil in the heavenly and earthly realms. And to show Himself to be the exact opposite of the devil's claims and to show Himself to be all that He says of Himself and that which is written about Him. Him being love, merciful, forgiving, patient, caring, powerful, etc. In heaven there is the book of Life, with all the names of those who will come to God. This thing we call time, is the playing out of why those names that are within are and why the names that aren't, aren't.

[esuobongndong]

Worth every effort Dr Frank. And that is well appreciated too! You're doing a great work here and may God Almighty grant you more wisdom to continuously serve humanity till He returns, Amen!

[repenttoday]

people don't wanna stop obeying evil's dark spirits, , but always wanna blame God for the actions

[sergioortiz]

He has blessed me so much. I have no reason to doubt him. 2022 my whole family was in debt (including myself) the money I had in my bank account was nowhere near the amount I owed. It was however enough to clear the rest of my family. The Lord told me to break their chains and set them free. And so I did. They all cried but they all knew I was still in the lion’s den. I told them not to worry about me. I told them that God would declare his strength through my weakness. Not long after just before the IRS was about to put me on the street I won the lottery. This reminded me of Isiah 65:24. I cried all day. But more than anything I was glad my family now lives by Faith and not by sight!!!!

[MyRandomCommentsXD]

I like how the background music of the video all of sudden modulated into a minor key when it got to the abuse part.

[troys]

I wonder how animals that suffer in the wild be justified? Animals aren't subject to our sins, so why do they suffer, often much more painfully than us humans?

[konberner]

And a six month old child dying in extreme pain from cancer abused his or her free will how?

[chrisgeroux]

That was good, but I'd like to have heard the pastoral answer too...

[flavadave]

That answer also doesn’t really address the suffering aspect of the question. Which admittedly, I struggle with from time to time. One example that always drives me to tears is when children have pain inducing disorders for which we have no explanation or cure. When a child’s entire body has to be wrapped up because their skin is constantly blistered and falling off, I have a hard time understanding why. Why does God allow this if it’s within his power to ease their suffering?

[fidenful]

Religious people could twist you all they want with all sorts of platitudes, the real answer is so very simple, but has all the chances of being right and true:
In a Natural Universe wonderful things as well as horrendous tragedies and suffering may come your way without purpose or reason, is all a question of circunstances.

[Huntlifts]

God Bless You all. All Glory Honor Praise Worship and Thanksgiving to God have a great rest of your week and week to come brothers and sisters i declare miracles blessings and healing upon your life in Jesus name. THANK YOU GOD FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING THANK YOU JESUS FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING

[jameson]

So why can't God just heal all diseases in children? Not trying to be blasphemous but I was asked this and couldn't answer

[kelleybrooks]

Thank you for distinguishing the two and being sensitive to those seeking answers on both sides of the question.