In his little booklet, Why Does God Allow So Much Suffering, John MacArthur provides his readers with a brief yet biblical theodicy. A theodicy is a positive explanation for why God has allowed evil into his good creation.
MacArthur begins by acknowledging that evil does indeed exist and distinguishes four types of evil: natural evil, moral evil, supernatural evil, and eternal evil. These categories explain the reality we live in and are each rooted in Scripture. Non-Christian worldviews, like Daoism or Atheism, for example, must deny the reality of evil or reduce good and evil to changing social constructs. But God’s Word is clear: evil is a part of our fallen reality.
Next, MacArthur affirms that God is as he has revealed himself in Scripture. Specifically, God is sovereign. Yahweh is in complete control of all things, and he is not surprised by the presence and pervasiveness of evil. MacArthur cites several Bible passages letting God speak for himself on this issue (e.g., Deut 32:39; 1 Chron 29:11-12; Ps 115:3). God’s Word is clear: he is supremely sovereign.
Finally, MacArthur notes that Yahweh sovereignly wills for evil to exist. This third point arises from accepting both the first point, that evil exists, and the second, that God is supremely sovereign. MacArthur points to Isaiah 45:5-12 which reveals God’s unflinching hand over every and all circumstance.
Importantly, however, God himself is not responsible for creating or doing any evil (see 1 John 1:5). This last point may cause discomfort and lead some to diminish God’s deity and reflexively conclude that God is impotent or ignorant (as in process theology and open theism). MacArthur refutes both these theological errors by referring to Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. Many man-made theories and liberal theologies have been conjured to answer this problem, wrongly assuming that they need to either defend or redefine God. MacArthur is right: readers must forsake interpretive gymnastics and simply submit to how God has revealed himself.
In the remaining pages of the booklet, MacArthur strikes at the heart of the question “Why does God will evil to exist?” In other words, if Yahweh is completely in control, why is evil and suffering a part of life? This honest question, if not sufficiently answered, leads to the dangerous and satanic accusation: God must be evil if he allows evil in the world.
MacArthur answers this question by reminding his readers that God’s allowance of evil was not because evil is the natural counterweight to good. Nor did God allow evil into this world in order to preserve man’s so-called free will. Rather, God ordained evil that it might lead to his praise and honor.
The existence of evil sets God’s attributes in bold relief. God’s grace, for example, is exalted when he saves sinners from their wickedness (see Eph 1:8). We are enabled to praise God more and understand all his attributes with greater clarity because he has allowed evil to exist. We see the beauty of God’s attributes supremely on display in the cross of Jesus Christ, where perfect justice and perfect grace meet, sinners are saved, and God is glorified (Rom 3:21-26). God’s grace and forgiveness come to an evil and rebellious people that they might be true worshippers of Yahweh. God uses the worst evil to bring himself the greatest praise.
MacArthur ends his booklet with a warning: “Remember who you are questioning.” In a short exposition of Job, MacArthur warns the reader not to “grasp for authority that does not belong to you” in defining God’s sovereignty. He reminds us that God does not need to explain himself to any creature; rather, the priority of the creature is humble worship and submission to a completely sovereign God (see Rom 9:20).
MacArthur is right. We serve a fearsome and holy God. We must be very careful not to step into the role of judge over the Judge, and warn others of this danger as well.
Let us be humble in seeking answers to truly difficult theological questions such as this and pray for clarity in giving a defense for the hope we have in Christ. This little booklet addresses a challenging question and is quite thorough for how short it is. The structure of the booklet covers all the fundamental pieces of a theodicy, while clearly refuting several unbiblical views, briefly explaining them, and uncovering their faults. There are several biblical texts provided to bolster each point leading up to the final warning of questioning Yahweh’s sovereignty. Thus, I heartily and readily recommend this booklet to anyone struggling with to answer the problem of evil.
