Why Is the World So Broken
Why is the world so broken? According to the Bible, the world is broken because of sin and rebellion against God. Satan, demons, and sinful humans make real moral choices that produce evil and suffering. Though God is sovereign, Scripture teaches that evil originates from created beings who turned away from Him (1 John 5:19).
Why Is There So Much Evil and Suffering?
The first four posts of this series provide the answer to one of the biggest questions most people sooner or later ask: Why is the world so broken?
Why is there so much evil, suffering, and pain?
And why do people treat one another so badly?
Why Do People Do What Is Obviously Wrong?
Despite one’s best efforts to believe that humans are basically good, why are so many people doing what is obviously bad much of the time?
Why is it so difficult to live and work with most people?
Why Do Evil People Seem to Prosper?
So why do drug dealers prosper? Why do political despots remain in power? And why do corrupt politicians thrive?
Why is the world so broken?
Is God to Blame for the Brokenness of the World?
God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
Many people blame God. While the Bible does teach God ultimately rules over all, it never says he is to blame for evil done by Satan, demons, and evil humans. That is a mystery, but it is the inerrant worldview of the Bible. God is sovereign, but evil spirits and humans make free choices. They are not puppets.
To blame God for the brokenness in our world is like blaming the highest general of the army for war crimes committed by one insubordinate soldier who defied the prescribed rules of engagement. Or it is like blaming the CEO of a restaurant chain for food poisoning caused by one negligent chef who broke every corporate rule for the safe handling of food.
What the Bible Says About God and Evil
Far from blaming God for the evils of the world, Scripture says, “You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.” (Psalm 5:4–5. ESV translation in all cases)
Moreover, “The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth” (Psalm 34:16).
“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
And “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works” (Psalm 145:17).
Jesus said, “No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19).
The Role of Satan in a Fallen World
“The Whole World Lies in the Power of the Evil One” (1 John 5:19)
Therefore it is Satan, demons, and evil humans who are directly responsible for the evil in our world.
The fallen world is broken because “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). People do evil because they are following Satan, usually unawares.
For the next post: Knowing the posture of the world toward God, what is God’s posture toward the world?
To read the first four posts in this series: