The Problem of Evil and Divine Sovereignty in Theology
The problem of evil, often framed as a challenge to the attributes of an omnipotent and benevolent God, intersects significantly with the theological concept of divine sovereignty. While God is understood to be sovereign over all creation, the existence of evil raises questions about His direct involvement or permission of suffering and sin [5].
Biblical texts attribute the origin of evil and temptation to various sources, none of which is God Himself. James 1:13 states that God cannot be tempted by evil and does not tempt anyone [1]. Instead, temptation is said to arise from one's own lusts [1]. The devil is frequently identified as the author of temptation and evil, as seen in passages like 1 Chronicles 21:1, Matthew 4:1, John 13:2, and 1 Thessalonians 3:5 [1]. Demons are described as spiritual beings hostile to God, capable of afflicting humanity with disease and spiritual pollution [2]. They recognize God's power and the Lord as the Son of God, yet they are at enmity with Him [2].
The "mystery of iniquity" is a concept described as an anti-Christian force latently at work, distinct from its eventual open manifestation [3]. This "mystery" refers not to something that remains perpetually secret, but to something hidden for a time that will eventually be revealed [3]. Satan's efforts are seen as a counterwork to the "mystery of godliness" [3]. Human sin is understood to result from being governed by the devil, who rules over evil powers in the spiritual realm and influences those who refuse to obey God [8]. Even when humanity experiences Christ's good purposes, there remains a tendency to follow Satan when he gains freedom to act [7].
Despite the pervasive nature of evil, divine sovereignty is affirmed. God is depicted as having mercy on whom He wills and hardening whom He wills, often by allowing individuals to be influenced by sin itself [5]. This hardening is not necessarily an active instigation of evil by God, but a judicial abandonment to the consequences of sin [5]. The book of Revelation describes blasphemy against God as occurring when figures like the "beast" assume divine authority, claim infallibility, and promote idolatrous practices [6]. Even in instances of human suffering or perceived injustice, such as a person being granted riches but not the power to enjoy them, the author of Ecclesiastes presents this as an "evil disease" observed under the sun, implying a general condition of the fallen world rather than a direct act of divine malice [4].
Sources
- 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”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Demon — In the Gospels generally, in (James 2:19) and in Reve 16:14 The demons are spoken of as spiritual beings, at enmity with God, and having power to afflict man not only with disease, but, as is marked by the frequent epithet "un-clean," with spiritual pollution also. They "believe" the power of God "and tremble," (James 2:19) they recognized the Lord as the Son of God, (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41) and acknowledged the power of his name, used in exorcism. In the place of the name of Jehovah, by his appointed messengers, (Acts 19:15) and looked forward in terror to t”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:7: the mystery of iniquity--the counterwork to "the mystery of godliness" (Ti1 3:16). Anti-Christianity latently working, as distinguished from its final open manifestation. "Mystery" in Scripture means, not what remains always a secret, but that which is for a while hidden, but in due time manifested (compare Eph 3:4-5). Satan will resort to a mode of opposition more conformed to the then imminent "appearing" and "presence" of the Saviour, and will anticipate Him with a last effort to maintain the dominion of the world [DE BURGH], just as at His ”
- Ecclesiastes (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Ecclesiastes 6 (introduction): "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and in great weight it lies upon man: a man to whom God giveth riches, and treasures, and honour, and he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he may wish, but God giveth him not power to have enjoyment of it, for a strange man hath the enjoyment: that is vanity and an evil disease." The author presents the result of personal observation; but inasmuch as he relates it in the second tense, he generalizes the matter, and places it scenically before the eyes of the reader. A similar introducti”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 9:18: Therefore hath he--"So then he hath." The result then is that He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth--by judicially abandoning them to the hardening influence of sin itself (Psa 81:11-12; Rom 1:24, Rom 1:26, Rom 1:28; Heb 3:8, Heb 3:13), and of the surrounding incentives to it (Mat 24:12; Co1 15:38; Th2 2:17). Second objection to the doctrine of Divine Sovereignty:”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 13:6: And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God,.... By sitting as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God; by suffering himself to be called by the name of God, God on earth, Lord God the pope, and to be worshipped as God; and by assuming infallibility, giving out that he cannot err, which only belongs to the God of truth; and by his idolatrous practices commanded by him, as the worshipping of idols of gold, silver, wood, and stone, which is in Scripture called blaspheming God, Isa 65:7; see Dan 11:36. To blaspheme his name; his authority, by ”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 20:1: 20:1-10 There are three parts to this passage: the binding of Satan (20:1-3), the reign of God’s holy people (20:4-6), and the release of Satan for his final attempt at a battle (20:7-10). Four themes emerge: (1) Satan’s war is futile—he cannot withstand even an angel; (2) God’s holy people will be vindicated and glorified; (3) God will have the final victory; and (4) even when sinful and depraved human beings experience Christ’s good purposes in the world, they still flock after Satan when he gains even a small amount of freedom to act. 20:1-2 Like the Old Te”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:2: 2:2 Human sin results from our being governed by the devil, the spirit who rules both the powers of evil in the spiritual realm (see 1:21; 6:11-12; cp. Col 1:13) and human beings who refuse to obey God (2 Cor 4:4; contrast Rom 8:2-14; Gal 5:22-23).”