“At the trial of God, we will ask: why did you allow all this? / And the answer will be an echo: why did you allow all this?”

– Ilya Kaminsky, from “A City Like a Guillotine Shivers on Its Way to the Neck,”

The Question of Human Nature

One of the most profound and enduring questions that humanity has wrestled with throughout history is whether people are inherently good or bad. Philosophers, theologians, and religious scholars have debated this question for centuries, seeking to understand human nature in light of moral, social, and spiritual realities. From a Christian perspective, the answer is complex. The Bible teaches that all humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), but it also affirms that humanity has been tainted by sin since the fall of Adam and Eve (Romans 3:23). This chapter will explore the inherent tension in human nature, the existence of evil and cruelty in the world, and how we can respond to the brokenness we see around us with love, forgiveness, and a deeper understanding of God’s justice.

Human Nature: Goodness Created, but Corrupted by Sin

The Christian view of humanity begins with the belief that people were created fundamentally good. In the beginning, when God created humanity, He declared that His creation was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). As beings made in the image of God, we have intrinsic worth and the capacity for love, creativity, and goodness. This is why we see countless examples of people acting with compassion, mercy, and selflessness throughout history and in our everyday lives.

However, the Bible also teaches that through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin entered the world (Romans 5:12). This original act of rebellion against God has had far-reaching consequences, corrupting the human heart and distorting our ability to fully reflect the goodness for which we were created. In essence, while we are made in God’s image, sin has marred that image, leading to a fallen nature that inclines us toward selfishness, pride, and evil.

This duality within human nature, created for good but corrupted by sin, explains why people are capable of both profound goodness and deep evil. The Apostle Paul captured this internal struggle when he wrote, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). This battle between the desire for righteousness and the reality of sin is part of the human condition.

Examples of Evil in the World: Personal and Global Realities

History is filled with examples of individuals who have committed heinous acts, from tyrants and dictators to everyday people who have chosen paths of destruction. Figures like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Pol Pot are often cited as extreme examples of how evil can manifest on a massive scale, resulting in war, genocide, and unimaginable suffering.

But evil is not only the domain of historical tyrants. It can manifest in more subtle, yet equally damaging, ways in everyday life. Consider the corruption in political systems, the greed that drives exploitation, the violence in communities, or even the betrayal between friends or family members. These examples show that the potential for evil exists in everyone, and everyday life often presents challenges that reveal the darker sides of human nature.

External factors, such as poverty, injustice, or societal pressures, can also influence whether individuals act out of good or evil motives. Some people, when faced with hardship, respond with generosity and empathy, while others, under the same circumstances, may choose greed, selfishness, or violence. The difference often lies in the state of a person’s heart and how they navigate the challenges of life in light of their relationship with God.

The Problem of Evil: Why Are There Evil and Cruel People?

The existence of evil in the world is one of the greatest philosophical and theological challenges. If God is good, why does He allow evil to persist? Why are some people capable of such cruelty? Theologians often refer to this as the “problem of evil,” and it points to the tension between God’s goodness, human free will, and the brokenness of the world.

One way to understand this is through the concept of free will. God has given humans the freedom to choose how they live. While free will is a gift that allows for the possibility of love and goodness, it also opens the door for people to choose evil. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who have chosen to act out of selfish ambition, violence, or hatred, beginning with Cain, who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy (Genesis 4:8). The choice to reject God’s will and pursue one’s own selfish desires is at the root of much of the evil we see in the world.

Another reason for the presence of evil is the influence of spiritual forces opposed to God. The Bible teaches that there are evil spiritual powers at work in the world, with Satan being the chief adversary (Ephesians 6:12). These forces seek to corrupt, tempt, and destroy, and while humans are responsible for their choices, they can be influenced by these malevolent powers.

However, it is important to remember that, in the Christian view, evil does not have the final word. God is ultimately sovereign, and He has a plan to redeem the world through Jesus Christ. While evil and suffering exist for a time, they will be eradicated when God brings about the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:4).

Responding to Evil with Love and Forgiveness

When we encounter evil or cruelty, whether on a global scale or in our personal lives, our natural response may be anger, hatred, or a desire for revenge. But the Bible calls us to respond in a radically different way: with love and forgiveness. Jesus’ teachings challenge us to love even our enemies and to forgive those who wrong us. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

This command is not easy. It goes against our instincts to seek justice or retribution. But it is a reflection of God’s own heart, as seen in the way He offers forgiveness to all people, even though we are undeserving. In Romans 5:8, Paul writes, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Just as God offers grace and mercy to us, despite our sinfulness, we are called to extend that same grace to others, even those who have hurt us.

Forgiving those who do evil does not mean condoning their actions or denying the pain they have caused. It means releasing our desire for personal vengeance and trusting that ultimate justice belongs to God. Forgiveness is as much about our own healing as it is about the person who wronged us. Holding on to anger and bitterness only poisons our own hearts, while forgiveness frees us to experience God’s peace and healing.

Depersonalizing from Society: Letting Go and Trusting God’s Justice

One of the challenges we face in dealing with evil is our tendency to take everything personally. When we experience injustice, cruelty, or suffering, we often feel personally attacked and overwhelmed by the need to seek justice or control the outcome. This can lead to anxiety, frustration, and a sense of helplessness, especially when the situation seems beyond our control.

The Bible offers wisdom in how to depersonalize from these situations by trusting in God’s justice and sovereignty. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are encouraged to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” This verse reminds us that we are not called to understand or control everything that happens in the world. Instead, we are called to trust that God is in control, even when life seems chaotic or unfair.

Letting go of our own understanding of justice does not mean passivity or indifference to evil. It means recognizing that God’s justice is perfect, even when we cannot see the full picture. In Romans 12:19, Paul writes, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” By releasing our desire for vengeance, we acknowledge that God sees all things and will bring justice in His time.

Learning to Forgive: Moving Beyond Resentment

Forgiveness is a process, especially when we have been deeply wronged by others. It requires a conscious choice to let go of resentment, and it often takes time. Jesus recognized this when He taught His disciples to forgive “seventy times seven” times (Matthew 18:22), emphasizing that forgiveness is a continual practice, not a one-time event.

To learn how to forgive, we must first remember how much we have been forgiven by God. Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) to illustrate this point. In the story, a servant who was forgiven an enormous debt by his master refused to forgive a small debt owed to him by another servant. The parable highlights that, as recipients of God’s boundless mercy, we are called to extend that same mercy to others. When we remember the depth of God’s forgiveness toward us, it becomes easier to forgive those who have wronged us.

Forgiveness is also an act of faith. When we forgive, we trust that God will bring healing, restoration, and justice, even if we cannot see it immediately. It is a way of releasing the burden of anger and pain to God, allowing Him to work in our hearts and in the hearts of those who have harmed us.

Embracing God’s Peace in a Broken World

One of the greatest challenges for people of faith is learning to find peace in a world that seems overrun by evil and suffering. How can we maintain hope and live with peace when we constantly encounter injustice, cruelty, and hardship? The Bible offers a path forward, calling us to shift our focus away from our immediate circumstances and toward the eternal promises of God.

Philippians 4:6-7 gives us a powerful reminder of where peace comes from: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This peace is not dependent on external situations. Rather, it is rooted in the knowledge that God is in control and that His love and justice will prevail, even when the world around us feels chaotic or unjust.

To embrace this peace, we must surrender our need for control and accept that we will not always understand why things happen the way they do. This is the essence of faith: trusting that God’s wisdom and plans far exceed our limited understanding. Isaiah 55:8-9 echoes this truth: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

By focusing on God’s eternal perspective rather than our own limited view, we can begin to let go of anxiety and embrace the peace that comes from knowing that God is working all things for good, even when we cannot see how (Romans 8:28).

Loving People Who Do Evil

One of the most difficult commandments of the Christian faith is to love those who commit evil acts. How can we love people who seem bent on causing harm? Jesus, once again, provides a radical example. As He hung on the cross, suffering at the hands of those who had unjustly condemned Him, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This prayer is a profound demonstration of the power of love and forgiveness in the face of evil.

Loving those who do evil does not mean ignoring or excusing their actions. Instead, it means seeing them as God sees them, as broken individuals in need of grace and redemption. Evil actions often stem from deep pain, confusion, or rebellion against God, and while we should stand against evil and injustice, we are called to hate the sin while still loving the sinner. 

This kind of love is only possible through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Human love alone is insufficient to extend grace to those who hurt us, but through Christ, we can learn to love as He loves. In Romans 12:21, Paul writes, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This means that, even in the face of cruelty and malice, we respond not with hatred but with love, trusting that God’s goodness will ultimately overcome evil.

Letting Go of Our Understanding of Justice

One of the greatest obstacles to forgiving and loving those who have wronged us is our own sense of justice. When we are hurt or witness injustice, we naturally desire to see the wrongdoers punished. While justice is important, the Bible teaches us to trust in God’s perfect justice rather than taking matters into our own hands.

In Romans 12:19, we are reminded, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” This passage challenges us to surrender our need for immediate justice, knowing that God sees all things and will judge rightly in His time.

This does not mean that we ignore injustice or avoid taking action when appropriate, but it does mean that we do not let anger, bitterness, or a desire for revenge control us. Instead, we place our trust in God’s justice, knowing that He will ultimately right every wrong. Letting go of our understanding of justice allows us to experience the freedom that comes from knowing that God is sovereign, even in the midst of chaos.

Forgiveness: The Path to Healing

Forgiving those who have wronged us is one of the most challenging and yet liberating acts of faith. Holding on to resentment and anger only keeps us trapped in a cycle of pain. True forgiveness, however, frees us from the burden of bitterness and allows us to heal.

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting what has happened or pretending that the offense did not hurt. Instead, it means releasing the offender from the debt we believe they owe us and entrusting the situation to God. Jesus calls us to forgive “seventy times seven” times (Matthew 18:22), signifying that forgiveness should be a continuous practice, not something we offer only once.

Through forgiveness, we align our hearts with God’s heart. As we forgive others, we reflect the forgiveness that God has extended to us through Christ. When we remember how much we have been forgiven, it becomes easier to offer that same grace to those who have wronged us.

Depersonalizing from Society: Letting Go and Trusting in God’s Sovereignty

The world around us can often feel overwhelming, especially when we see evil and suffering on a large scale. It’s easy to become weighed down by the sense that we must somehow fix the world’s problems or carry the burden of injustice on our own shoulders. However, the Bible reminds us that God is the one who holds the world in His hands, and we are called to trust in His sovereignty rather than trying to control everything ourselves.

Depersonalizing from society means recognizing that while we are called to do good and seek justice, we are not responsible for making everything right. Only God can bring true and lasting justice. Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us that God “has made everything beautiful in its time,” and while we may not understand His timing or methods, we can trust that He is working all things according to His perfect plan.

Letting go of our need to understand or control every situation allows us to live in peace, knowing that God is ultimately in charge. This doesn’t mean disengaging from the world or becoming indifferent to suffering, but it does mean releasing the weight of trying to solve every problem on our own. By trusting in God’s sovereignty, we can find rest in the knowledge that He is guiding history toward His redemptive purposes.

Conclusion: Living in Love, Trust, and Forgiveness

The reality of evil in the world, both on a global scale and in our personal lives, presents significant challenges to our understanding of love, forgiveness, and justice. While it is natural to react to cruelty and injustice with anger or a desire for retribution, the Christian faith calls us to a higher path, one that reflects the radical love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

We are called to love even those who do evil, trusting in God’s perfect justice rather than taking vengeance into our own hands. Through forgiveness, we find healing and freedom from the burden of bitterness, and by letting go of our need to control or understand every situation, we can experience the peace that comes from trusting in God’s sovereignty.

As we navigate the brokenness of the world, may we learn to walk in the love and forgiveness that Christ has shown us, trusting that He is at work, redeeming all things for His glory and for our ultimate good. The reality of evil in the world presents a significant challenge to our understanding of justice, love, and forgiveness. While people are made in the image of God and capable of great goodness, sin has corrupted human nature, leading to acts of cruelty, selfishness, and injustice. Yet, despite the presence of evil, we are called to respond in ways that reflect God’s character, ways marked by love, forgiveness, and trust in His ultimate justice.