The Mystery of Evil Found in Job

The existence of famine, war, disease, and other distasteful aspects of humanity pose a tough, insistent question as to why God chose to create evil. As an infinitely powerful creator, surely a morally perfect God can and should create a world where evil does not exist in the first place. To propose otherwise seems to paint God as a malevolent being who apparently takes joy in watching the chaos. Bernard Leikind (2010) is a physicist who published an article that paints a representation of the mystery of evil as seen by most non-believers. In his article, Leikind uses the Old Testament biblical figure Job to support a malevolent God who just as easily gives as he takes away. He references Job 38:1-4 (NIV):

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

This certainly does not reflect a caring and compassionate God as he seems to lord his shifting favor over Job. Leikand (2010), a self-professed Humanist, ends his article with this thought, “Here is what I believe: Each of us is responsible for the private and public meanings of our own lives…we can’t rely on supernatural powers to help us.” Atheists use this concept in the form of several academic arguments to combat belief. This particular argument is called the “This is not the best possible world” argument.

Another popular argument strongly tied to the mystery of evil revolves around a former Christian, Bart D. Ehrman (2008). Although Ehrman is certainly not the cr...

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... that God is omnipotent in that he can do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants. He possesses the potential, the power to do absolutely anything without exception. However, there are many things that God will choose not to do because of his morally perfect nature. This does not negate his ability to do anything, only reinforces his benevolence in restraining from being immoral. Because of his love of us, he created man with the ability to choose between what is good and evil for himself, without hindrance or interference. This act of free will, results in consequences of both physical and spiritual weight, which is why God defines what is right and wrong and encourages us to do what is moral. There is a beauty, a sense of pleasure in teaching and investing into someone and having that individual succeed, regardless of the mistakes and challenges along the way.