As creationists, we know the Bible’s answer: the fall of man, detailed in Genesis 3. The story of sin’s entry into the world via Adam and Eve’s rebellious choice is a solid rock for our faith and intellect. It is a logical account with consequences that we can observe in our world today.
But there is another side to that question, a query that cannot be addressed by logic, history, or facts. It’s the heart behind the question, often a bruised heart deeply wounded by evil, loss, or betrayal. It’s the ache we’ve all experienced when we see what could and should be so good and so beautiful…but isn’t. Where can we find relief? Can we find relief?
Isaiah was a prophet to God’s people in a time of exile and national upheaval. Surrounded by the thick darkness of sin, Isaiah proclaimed the mission of the coming Deliverer:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me [Jesus]; because the Lord hath appointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” (Isaiah 61:1-3, emphasis added)
A major part of Jesus’ mission was to reveal His heart of comfort for the broken, mourning, and oppressed. In Psalm 34, God assures us that He is near to the brokenhearted; near, as a friend who feels your pain. Psalm 145 and Psalm 146 speak of God as the Lifter of all that fall and the Raiser of all that are cast down. Psalm 147 follows on their heels, stating, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” As we strive to understand the truth of God’s kindness, wouldn’t it be helpful to see this with skin on?
Enter Jesus. How did He respond to the hurt and despair of this World and how can we in turn mold His example?
Consider the famous story of Lazarus and his trip to eternity and back. Mary and Martha meet Jesus, brokenhearted and confused over their brother’s death. Together, they travel to to the grave where Lazarus’ body lies. And it is here that Jesus weeps.
I’m no master of Greek, but the word “weep” doesn’t mean teary-eyed or sniffling. “Weep” is a full-out, shoulders-shaking cry. Though Jesus knew what He would do, though He knew Lazarus would be alive soon, He entered into Mary and Martha’s grief. He felt and expressed His own grief.
Nestled in the final words of God’s Word lies Revelation 21. It describes a paradise where Jesus reigns as King and– because He is King– righteousness, hope, and peace abound. Jesus tells us that He Himself will wipe away all our tears and will banish death, sorrow, pain, and crying. At long last, God’s will shall be accomplished on earth as it is in heaven.
So as we seek to answer that prominent question– “Why would a good God allow evil in His world?”– let us not forget to address the heart that lies behind the query. May we not only provide a biblical, logical, reasonable answer to the problem of evil, but, like Jesus, be moved with compassion, probe deeper for the wound, and then tenderly pour the healing ointment of love and empathy so that the heart is satisfied as well.
Logic and heart, truth and mercy: The Bible gives us good answers for both. In its words, we learn of God’s original design of wholeness and His plan to restore that wholeness. But also, in the midst of hurt and tragedy, our hearts find great solace in the heart of the God of all comfort.
We pay tribute to one of the fathers of the modern Creation movement. Here is a look at his life, influences, and how he contributed to the battle for Genesis.
We’ve seen a lot of popularity growth in the Flat Earth Theory, and its proponents try to tie themselves to Creationism. Here is a Christian response to these efforts.
In the previous month of Creation Matters, we examined answers to the question “How do we know Genesis (and for that matter the entire Old Testament) has been accurately preserved to our time?” In this article, we will unpack a very, very brief overview of the scientific and scholarly side of this question, touching on early manuscripts, scribal practice, and ancient witnesses to the O.T. text.
“As a creation museum, we encounter many questions about the Bible. While many of these center around interpreting Genesis or explaining why evolution falls short as a theory of origins, we do occasionally hear doubts about the preservation of the Old Testament. In other words, after all, how do we know Genesis has been accurately preserved in the 3,500 years since Moses penned it?”
