Question: What do we do with the problem of evil?
Answer: This comes up so much because we do not always understand why God does things in the way He does them. The good news is brilliant scholars have searched the Scripture and found great answers. Let’s get into it.

The problem of evil is one of the oldest and most difficult questions in philosophy and theology:

If God is all-good, all-powerful, and all-knowing, why does evil exist?

Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) faced this question head-on. Before his conversion, Augustine struggled with the dualistic teachings of Manichaeism, which blamed evil on a cosmic battle between good and bad gods. After coming to faith in Christ, he developed one of the most enduring explanations for evil—a framework that still shapes Christian thought today.

1. Evil Is the Absence of Good.

Augustine argued that evil is not a substance or “thing” created by God. Rather, it’s a privation—a corruption or lack of the good that God originally made.

“Evil has no positive nature; but the loss of good has received the name ‘evil.’” — Enchiridion, Ch. 4

This view aligns with Genesis 1:31:

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

If all creation was originally good, then evil must arise not from God’s creation, but from the distortion and corruption of that good.

2. Free Will and the Origin of Evil.

For Augustine, free will is central to understanding why evil exists. God gave humans and angels the freedom to choose. Evil entered the world when created beings chose lesser goods over God, the highest Good.

From On Free Choice of the Will (De libero arbitrio):

“For when the will abandons what is above itself and turns to what is lower, it becomes evil—not because that is evil to which it turns, but because the turning itself is wicked.”

We see this in James 1:13–14:

“God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

In other words, God allows evil because He allows us the dignity of choice—but we are responsible for how we use that freedom.

3. Original Sin and Humanity’s Brokenness.

Augustine taught that when Adam and Eve sinned, they passed down a fallen nature to all humanity. We inherit a will inclined toward sin.

“In Adam’s fall, we all sinned.” — Confessions, Book VII

We see this, too, in Romans 5:12:

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”

This doctrine of original sin explains why evil persists—not because God wills it, but because our corrupted will gravitates toward it.

4. God Brings Good Out of Evil.

Augustine’s greatest insight is that God permits evil to accomplish a greater good. While He never causes evil, He uses it to display His justice, mercy, and grace.

“God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to allow no evil to exist.” — Enchiridion, Ch. 27

This reflects Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

For Augustine, suffering is not meaningless—it’s part of God’s tapestry, where even the darkest threads contribute to a more glorious picture.

5. Augustine’s Struggle with Evil.

In Confessions, Augustine recounts his personal wrestling:

“I became evil for no reason. I had no motive for my wickedness except wickedness itself… I was seeking not to gain anything by shameful means, but shame for its own sake.” — Confessions, Book II

His personal experience reflects humanity’s shared brokenness. But his theology points us to a greater hope: God’s sovereignty, redemption, and promise to restore all things.

Bottom Line: Now What?

Augustine’s response to the problem of evil isn’t just intellectual—it’s deeply pastoral. Here are five action steps based on his insights:

1. Trust God’s Goodness.

• Scripture: “The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.” (Psalm 145:9)
• Remember that God did not create evil and remains perfectly good, even when life is difficult.

2. Examine Your Heart.

• Scripture: “Search me, God, and know my heart…” (Psalm 139:23)
• Reflect on where your own free will is misaligned with God’s will. Repent where necessary.

3. Anchor Yourself in Scripture.

• Read and meditate on passages that promise God’s sovereignty:
  • Romans 8:28
  • Psalm 23
  • Revelation 21:1–5
• God’s Word reshapes our perspective on suffering.

4. Use Suffering as an Invitation to Faith.

• Instead of running from God in hardship, run toward Him.
• Ask: “How is God forming my character through this difficulty?”

5. Offer Hope to Others.

• Augustine’s view reminds us that evil is not ultimate—God is.
• Share words of hope and comfort with those struggling, reminding them of God’s promise to redeem all things.

Bottom Line, Again.

Augustine helps us see that evil doesn’t diminish God’s goodness—it magnifies it. Though evil is real, it’s not ultimate. God is weaving redemption into the brokenness of creation, and one day, as Revelation 21:4 declares:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain…”

We cannot look at God’s Justice as something that only exists within our timeline or lifetime. God’s Justice spans into eternity. Therefore, we trust that He will be just and fair to all in the end. We rest in His mercy and Omni-Benevolence. This is not easy. We still experience the pain and it is real. However, we know God does not ever let evil go unpunished. That is the whole reason Jesus came. He came to deal with the problem of evil by entering into it and creating forgiveness for us all.