How would you explain to an unbelieving friend the origin of and reason for evil in the world? What Scriptures would you use?
The origin of evil goes back to a real choice in a real garden. God made everything good and gave man genuine freedom — and freedom is only real if the choice to reject God is also real. Evil entered when man used that freedom to distrust God and go his own way; that is the Fall, and every evil since flows from it. But God was not caught off guard — before there was ever a problem, He already had the solution: a Savior.
Also asked: How do you explain the existence of evil and suffering to someone who doesn't believe in God, using the biblical account of Adam and Eve's choices? · What is the source of evil in the world and how does it relate to humanity's first disobedience in the Garden of Eden as described in Genesis 1-3? · Why does evil exist and what is the root cause of all the suffering and pain in the world according to the Bible and the story of the Fall in Genesis 3?
Source: The Basics The Basics, Unit 1, Lesson 1-1 — The Problem–Sin
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Related questions
- What is the sin nature?Romans 5:12 · The Basics · Lesson 3–1: The Race—The Christian Life
- What are the three kinds of sin?Romans 5:12 · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
- What does the Bible teach about death?Romans 5:12 · The Basics
- What is the nature of man?Romans 5:12 · The Basics
- What is the secret of spiritual power?Romans 5:12 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about spiritual death?Romans 5:12 · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
- What was God's solution to sin?Genesis 3:15 · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
- Where in the Bible is the first promise of a Savior?Genesis 3:15 · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
See also
- According to the Bible, what is mankind's basic problem?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
- Why did God allow the Fall?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
- What was the temptation to Eve?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
- What is death in the Bible, and what are its seven kinds?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
- What is sin, and how does the Bible define it?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
- How do we know how serious sin is?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin
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