The Unrelenting Presence of Evil
A Mother’s Desperate Cry
One haunting image from World War II stands out in my mind – a mother fleeing with her child, pursued by a German soldier with rifle in hand. This heart-wrenching scene, captured on film in 1942 outside Ivanhorod, Ukraine, is a stark reminder of the brutality that has plagued humanity throughout history. The recent terrorist attack on the Bibas family, resulting in the tragic loss of Shiri and her two young sons, serves as a painful reminder that evil still lurks in our world.
The Age-Old Question
As I reflect on these senseless acts of violence, I am compelled to ask: Where is God in a world filled with such evil? This is a question that has haunted humanity for centuries, and one that I struggle to answer when faced with the harsh realities of our world.
Seeking Answers in Scripture
In our nightly family devotions, my older son often inquires about the war in Ukraine. As we turn to Scripture for guidance, we find that even the most faithful writers of the Bible struggled with the same doubts and questions. In Lamentations 3, Jeremiah’s words echo our own despair: “You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us, killing without pity…” (Lamentations 3:43-48). These poignant verses capture the anguish of Shiri Bibas as she desperately tried to shield her sons from their captors.
The Complexity of Human Nature
Vasily Grossman’s classic novel, Life and Fate, masterfully conveys the emotional turmoil experienced by those who suffered during the Holocaust. His words paint a vivid picture of the elation and subsequent despair of Jewish families as they were led to their deaths. Grossman’s writing highlights the inherent goodness in humanity, even in the face of unimaginable evil. As he so eloquently puts it, “This kindness, this stupid kindness, is what is most truly human in a human being.”
A Lament for Evil
In my book, Where Is God in a World with So Much Evil?, I grapple with the image of God and the countless attempts to extinguish life and blame its Author. I explore the evil that resides within us, our war against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and our desperate need for the steadfast love of a Lord whose mercies never end.
The Problem of Evil
The problem of evil is, at its core, a problem of humanity and humility. It is acceptable, even necessary, to ask God hard questions. Scripture sanctions this inquiry, and it is an integral part of being made in God’s image. The challenge lies in accepting His answers, which often differ from our expectations.
Truth and Freedom
In the face of evil, truth is often the first casualty. We must acknowledge that there is much we do not understand about God’s ways in the world. Evil begins when we assume we know better than God, taking vengeance into our own hands and dividing people into good and evil. Only Christ can set us free from the cycle of revenge that plagues our world.
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