Support
Because Scripture is God’s revealed Word, it should be the first source consulted when trying to solve the problem of evil. The greater good position seems to be the view that is most supported by and derived from Scripture. It is Scripture, after all, that claims God is omnipotent, omniscient, and good. Furthermore, Scripture clearly teaches that God uses evil to accomplish His own purposes, and is not an innocent bystander or victim of evil, as implied by the free will defense.
First, in view of omnipotence, God “does whatever He pleases.” (Psalm 115:3) Genesis 18:4 and Jeremiah 32:27 both ask the rhetorical question, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” The obvious answer is recorded in Jeremiah 32:17: “Nothing is too difficult for You.” God accomplishes whatever He wants to accomplish, and nothing is too difficult for Him. He is sovereign over all He has created.[i]
Scripture is also clear with regard to God’s wisdom. Paul declares God to be “the only wise God” in Romans
Not only is God powerful and wise, but He is also good. What a terrible thing it would be to belong to a god who is powerful and wise, and at the same time completely evil! David makes a similar observation about the goodness of God in Psalm 62:11-12 “Power belongs to God; and lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord.” Furthermore, Jesus challenges the rich young ruler in Luke 18:19 by saying, “No one is good except God alone.” Psalm 100:5 praises God saying, “The Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.” David exhorts his people in Psalm 34:8 to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” God’s word is very clear that He is completely sovereign, wise, and good.[iii]
However, Scripture has much to say about God’s involvement with evil. First, God is not evil nor is He the author of evil. James clarifies that “God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone” (James
Even though God does not tempt, cannot be tempted, and evil does not exist in Him, God does use evil to accomplish His purposes. Joseph was despised by his brothers and sold into slavery by them. After a miraculous sequence of events, Joseph makes the bold statements that “It was not you who sent me here, but God,” and later, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Gen 45:8; 50:20). Clearly God used the evil deeds of Joseph’s brothers to bring about the preservation of humanity.[v]
In the exodus account, the Lord used the wickedness of Pharaoh to display His glory throughout the earth. The Lord tells Moses in Exodus 4:21, “I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.” Paul explains the Lord’s purpose for doing this, in Romans 9:17, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh ‘for this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.’” The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart causing him to commit evil so that the Lord might show His power in delivering His people from Pharaoh’s hand.[vi]
While God permits evil through secondary means, the people who commit these evils bear responsibility for them.[vii] The Lord does not incur the guilt of sin, even though He is in control of everything. Job, for example, understood the source of his pain and suffering. Although it was Satan who asked permission to afflict him, Job rightly proclaims, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job
Therefore, all four statements in the problem of evil are absolutely true. God is omnipotent, omniscient, and good, and there is evil in the world. It seems as if the greater good defense is the most scriptural explanation, especially when refined by Frame’s watchful eye. The Lord allows evil so that the greater good may be accomplished. Possibly, it would be better suited to name the perspective “His” greater good defense, supporting the idea that God permits evil inasmuch as He will receive the utmost glory. Humanity may not always recognize God’s greater good as such, but Scripture is clear that God does whatever He pleases and He will be glorified.[ix]
In fact, Christians understand God’s greater good to be their greater good also. Paul comforts Christians: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom
Ultimately, the answer to this question culminates in faith. Scripture teaches that God is sovereign over everything, eternally wise, and infinitely good. It also teaches that God permits and uses evil so that He might be glorified all the more, and He achieves His purposes through the means of evil without incurring any responsibility for being sinful. Much of this seems clear, but there remains a lack of complete understanding. If Scripture is to be trusted, then one must have faith in God with regard to these matters. If a Christian is suffering at the hand of evil, then he must trust that God is using this for His sovereign will, even if it is unclear how. Even a Christian’s own sin and wickedness result in the glory of God as displayed on the cross of Christ. It is so perfectly clear that His grace is shown as glorious as He redeems those who were far off through the blood of His Son (Eph 1:5-6). Further, the dreadful wrath of God is also made painfully clear as He crushes Jesus for our sin.
[i]Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, (
[iv]John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist, (Sisters, OR: Mutlnomah Publishers, 2003), 347.
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