Arguments for God's Existence and the Problem of Evil
Scripture assumes God's existence rather than arguing for it. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that "the existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument" to establish this foundational reality [1]. The biblical writers begin with the declaration "In the beginning, God" (Genesis 1:1) and proceed from that premise. When Paul addresses the Gentile world in Romans, he does not construct proofs for God's existence but asserts that divine attributes "are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" (Romans 1:20), rendering humanity "without excuse" [8].
The Problem of Evil's Biblical Framework
The tension between God's goodness and the presence of evil receives sustained attention in Scripture, though not in the form of philosophical theodicy. The fall narrative establishes that evil entered through human disobedience: "By the disobedience of Adam" and "through temptation of the devil," humanity became "born in sin" and "evil in heart" [3]. This account locates the origin of moral evil in creaturely rebellion rather than divine causation. James reinforces this: "God cannot be the subject of" temptation, and temptation "does not come from God" but from human lusts [2].
The biblical material addresses suffering's purpose more than its permission. Afflictions serve as examples to others and can glorify God, though they remain "ineffectual of themselves" for conversion without divine grace [5]. The punishment of the wicked "is from God" and occurs "on account of their sin," establishing divine justice as a response to human wickedness rather than arbitrary cruelty [4]. Adam Clarke observes that God's wrath is revealed against human corruption precisely because "the universal corruption of mankind" was "so great as to incense the justice of God" [8].
Pastoral and Apologetic Dimensions
The Lukan parable of the rich man and Lazarus concludes with Abraham's assertion that "the sacred writings contain such proofs of a Divine origin" that even resurrection appearances could not provide greater conviction than Scripture itself [7]. This positions revelation, not natural theology or theodicy arguments, as the primary ground for faith. Paul's rhetorical question—"If God is for us, who can be against us?" [6]—shifts focus from abstract justification of God's ways to confidence in divine advocacy despite circumstances. The biblical approach prioritizes trust in God's character over resolution of intellectual puzzles about evil's existence.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Temptation — God cannot be the subject of -- Jas 1:13. Does not come from God -- Jas 1:13. Comes from Lusts. -- Jas 1:14. Covetousness. -- Pr 28:20; 1Ti 6:9,10. The devil is the author of -- 1Ch 21:1; Mt 4:1; Joh 13:2; 1Th 3:5. Evil associates, the instruments of -- Pr 1:10; 7:6; 16:29. Often arises through Poverty. -- Pr 30:9; Mt 4:2,3. Prosperity. -- Pr 30:9; Mt 4:8. Worldly glory. -- Nu 22:17; Da 4:30; 5:2; Mt 4:8. To distrust of God's providence -- Mt 4:3. To presumption -- Mt 4:6. To worshipping the god of this world -- Mt 4:9. Often strengthened by the perversi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fall of Man, The — By the disobedience of Adam -- Ge 3:6,11,12; Ro 5:12,15,19. Through temptation of the devil -- Ge 3:1-5; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14. Man in consequence of Made in the image of Adam. -- Ge 5:3; 1Co 15:48,49. Born in sin. -- Job 15:14; 25:4; Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8; Joh 3:6. A child of wrath. -- Eph 2:3. Evil in heart. -- Ge 6:5; 8:21; Jer 16:12; Mt 15:19. Blinded in heart. -- Eph 4:18. Corrupt and perverse in his ways. -- Ge 6:12; Ps 10:5; Ro 3:12-16. Depraved in mind. -- Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21; Tit 1:15. Without understanding. -- Ps 14:2,3; Ro 3:11; 1:31. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Punishment of the Wicked, The — Is from God -- Le 26:18; Isa 13:11. On account of their Sin. -- La 3:39. Iniquity. -- Jer 36:31; Eze 3:17-18; 18:4,13,20; Am 3:2. Idolatry. -- Le 26:30; Isa 10:10,11. Rejection of the law of God. -- 1Sa 15:23; Ho 4:6-9. Ignorance of God. -- 2Th 1:8. Evil ways and doings. -- Jer 21:14; Ho 4:9; 12:2. Pride. -- Isa 10:12; 24:21; Lu 14:11. Unbelief. -- Mr 16:16; Ro 11:20; Heb 3:18,19; 4:2. Covetousness. -- Isa 57:17; Jer 51:13. Oppressing. -- Isa 49:26; Jer 30:16,20. Persecuting. -- Jer 11:21,22; Mt 23:34-36. Disobeying God. -- Ne 9:26,27;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions of the Wicked, The — God is glorified in -- Ex 14:4; Eze 38:22,23. God holds in derision -- Ps 37:13; Pr 1:26,27. Are multiplied -- De 31:17; Job 20:12-18; Ps 32:10. Are continual -- Job 15:20; Ec 2:23; Isa 32:10. Are often sudden -- Ps 73:10; Pr 6:15; Isa 30:13; Re 18:10. Are often judicially sent -- Job 21:17; Ps 107:17; Jer 30:15. Are for examples to others -- Ps 64:7-9; Zep 3:6,7; 1Co 10:5-11; 2Pe 2:6. Are ineffectual of themselves, for their conversion -- Ex 9:30; Isa 9:13; Jer 2:30; Hag 2:17. Their persecution of saints, a cause of -- De 30:7; Ps 55”
- Romans “What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? -- Romans 8:31”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 16:31: If they hear not Moses, etc. - This answer of Abraham contains two remarkable propositions. 1. That the sacred writings contain such proofs of a Divine origin, that though all the dead were to arise, to convince an unbeliever of the truths therein declared, the conviction could not be greater, nor the proof more evident, of the divinity and truth of these sacred records, than that which themselves afford. 2. That to escape eternal perdition, and get at last into eternal glory, a man is to receive the testimonies of God, and to walk according to their dictates. And th”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 1:18: For the wrath of God is revealed - The apostle has now finished his preface, and comes to the grand subject of the epistle; namely, to show the absolute need of the Gospel of Christ, because of the universal corruption of mankind; which was so great as to incense the justice of God, and call aloud for the punishment of the world 1. He shows that all the heathen nations were utterly corrupt, and deserved this threatened punishment. And this is the subject of the first chapter, from Rom 1:18 to the end (Rom 1:18-32). 2. He shows that the Jews, notwithstanding the grea”