Objection · Case 06 · Problem of Evil
“If God ended all evil tonight, who would be left standing?” is a trick. God could end child cancer without ending me. It conflates moral evil in people with natural evil that has nothing to do with anyone’s sin.
One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.
Response
A fair criticism of the framing. The who would be left point answers one specific demand, why doesn’t God just eliminate evil people, by reminding the questioner that the line runs through everyone. It is not an answer to why doesn’t God prevent natural suffering, and it should not be offered as one. The natural-evil question is the harder one and belongs with the free will and creation-groaning material, with an honest note that it is where the Christian answer is least complete.
About this exhibit
This objection is to Paul’s letter to the Romans on universal sin.
Paul states flatly that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The line draws no exceptions. In the biblical picture the line between good and evil does not run neatly between good…
Under Claim 05: Scripture presents evil as running through every person, and God’s delay in ending it as patience that leaves room for people to turn back.