WHY DOES A
LOVING GOD
ALLOW SO MUCH
DEATH AND SUFFERING
?
If God is so good, why is this world filled with suffering and death? The answer is plainly described in Genesis 1–3. God created a “very good” world, but Adam’s rebellion brought a curse and death. The disease and death in the fossil record reflect this curse.
Why do people suffer? Why do people die? Isn’t this a horrible world we live in?
These questions vex not only the unbeliever but the believer as well. Yet as is true in every other question, we should not be ashamed to stand on the authority of God’s Word to understand death and suffering.
This question is not as difficult as it might seem. A person only needs to open the Bible and read Genesis chapters 1–3 to find the answer. Here we are told of the beginning of things—God created everything in six ordinary days. We read of a perfect creation in which there was no death. God looked at His creation and called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31).
So where did death come from?
Death came as a direct result of Adam’s disobedience. Genesis 2:17 tells us, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” So Adam knew there was a consequence to his actions. When he took of the fruit and ate, death entered God’s perfect creation. “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:21).
“Because you have eaten from the tree, cursed is the ground . . . and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:17–19)
Our world is broken, marred by death and suffering. We must understand that our sin is what broke God’s perfect creation. The suffering in this world is the first Adam’s fault, the consequence of his disobedience to a holy God. We are all sinners because we are descended from sinners and we, too, rebel against God’s command (Romans 5:12). Not one is innocent. As a result of sin “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Romans 8:22).
The good news is that the Last Adam, Jesus Christ, came to earth to bear the penalty of our sins and be nailed to the Cross. He defeated death by His resurrection. By His atoning blood sacrifice for us, He has made a way for us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Further, He promised to those who place their faith in Him that in the future there will be no more death, tears, or suffering.
The perfect world will then be restored.
Death, S. (2010, April). Suffering & Death. Answers in Genesis. https://answersingenesis.org/suffering/suffering-death/
Ava posted this photo on her trip to the Ark Encounter
Spring 2022
“If the God of the Bible is truly all-powerful and loving, why has He not put an end to death and suffering? Is He incapable or unwilling to do it?
The Bible states that one day death and sufering will be no more. Right now, God is patiently deaying the final judgement to give people time to turn to Him.
We need to understand that as sinners, we all deserve to die. However, through Jesus Christ, God has provided the way for us to spend eternity with Him in a place where there is no suffering, sorrow, or pain. Death will finally die.”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Revelation 21:3-4 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
1 Corinthians 15:26 “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”