English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
Moral evil is evil caused by human activity. Acts such as murder, rape, robbery, embezzlement, hatred, and jealousy are all examples of moral evils. When individuals, who are created in the image of God, choose to act against God’s law, moral evil occurs. Moral evil can also result from inaction—deliberately ignoring a cry for help is considered a moral evil.
Natural evil refers to events that bring pain and suffering to humanity but are not directly caused by humans. Examples include congenital diseases, tsunamis, earthquakes, droughts, and famines. These events do not involve morality.
The distinction between natural and moral evil raises intriguing philosophical and theological questions. Some philosophers view natural evil as a significant challenge to the belief in an all-powerful, benevolent God. They argue that if a human were to cause events like earthquakes or cancer, they would be considered morally evil. If such actions are wrong for humans, why are they not wrong for God?
Our website features various articles addressing theodicy and the problem of evil. The following points are specifically presented in response to the issue of natural evil:
1. God is not accountable to us, but we are accountable to Him “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”, (Romans 14:12). God alone possesses the authority over life and death. It would be unethical for a person to cause an earthquake resulting in thousands of deaths because humans do not have that right. However, God, as the creator and sustainer of life, can choose when and how to withdraw that gift. We have all sinned and deserve death (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23).1. The fact that God allows any of us to live is a sign of His grace and forbearance.
2. Natural evil is a result of original human sin. Things are not the way they were created to be. With sin, pain and death entered into the system (Genesis 3). Paul tells us that all of creation is currently suffering, waiting for the time when it is set free from “bondage to decay” (Romans 8:20-22). Broadly speaking, natural evil is God’s judgment on humanity.
3. Natural evil is exacerbated by human sin. When there is a disaster, there are often many examples of people working and giving sacrificially and heroically in order to help alleviate suffering. Unfortunately, there will also be many examples of people looting, price gouging, hoarding supplies, and acting in selfish and cowardly ways to the detriment of those around them. The singular biggest cause of famine in the world today is not weather but displacement due to warfare. In these situations, food is often available for distribution to refugees, but it rots in warehouses while government officials argue over the distribution or use the opportunity to enrich themselves.
The only hope for people in a world filled with evil (whether moral or natural) is Jesus Christ. He does not promise escape from the evil in this world. In fact, He promises that His followers will experience it: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). He also promises that believers will have an inheritance in the new heavens and new earth in which there is no evil or suffering of any kind: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1)
(Revelation 21:1,4) «And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither will there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away. », (Revelation 21:1,4). The created order will be restored to its original balance, eliminating natural evil, and the people will be conformed to the image of Christ, eliminating moral evil.
