How does the Bible explain evil and God's existence?

THE NATURE OF GOD’S EXISTENCE

Scripture consistently presents God as self-existent and eternal. One of the most direct statements appears at the opening of Scripture: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The phrasing underscores that before any created thing existed, God was already present.

In Exodus 3:14, He identifies Himself as “I AM WHO I AM,” highlighting the belief that He depends on nothing outside Himself. Additionally, passages such as Psalm 90:2 affirm, “Before the mountains were born and You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.”

Throughout the biblical text, God displays qualities of knowledge, power, and holiness. Romans 1:20 explains that God’s “invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship.” According to this verse, creation itself showcases evidence of a Designer, revealing order and complex systems in nature that speak to divine authorship.

Archaeological findings such as the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran lend credibility to the Biblical text describing God’s interactions with humanity. Many Old Testament prophecies and accounts of God’s redemptive plan precisely match these ancient manuscripts. They affirm that Scripture has consistently described a God who is both transcendent over creation and yet intimately involved with His creation.

THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION AND ORIGIN OF EVIL

Biblically, evil is both a condition and a rebellion that runs contrary to God’s righteousness. The first recorded human act of evil is found in Genesis 3:6, when the first humans disobey divine instruction. This disobedience, the Fall, is described as the moment that sin and mortality entered the human experience: “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye... she took of its fruit and ate.”

Evil is portrayed as originating in the volitional choices of creatures who were created with free will. From the narrative of the serpent’s temptation (Genesis 3:1–5) to humankind’s decision to depart from God’s command, the Bible underlines that a fundamental aspect of evil is transgressing what God has declared right.

Beyond humanity’s sin, evil in the spiritual realm is also described. Certain passages (e.g., Isaiah 14:12–15, commonly understood as referencing prideful spiritual rebellion) point to the belief that evil’s root began among angelic beings that chose to oppose God’s holiness. This opposition was then transmitted to humankind through temptation.

HUMAN FREE WILL AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN

Biblical teaching emphasizes free will, showing that God created humans with the capacity to choose (Deuteronomy 30:19). The ability to choose is central to the presence of love, moral responsibility, and genuine relationship with God. However, free will also opens the possibility for choices that oppose God’s design, introducing moral and natural evil into the world.

Consequences follow such disobedience. Romans 6:23 states: “For the wages of sin is death.” Physical death, relational brokenness, and widespread corruption of the created order flow from the misuse of free will. Genesis 6:5 laments that “every inclination of the thoughts of [man’s] heart was altogether evil.” This universal effect is understood as the reason for much of the suffering experienced in the world today.

Archaeological and historical records of war, atrocities, and societal corruption provide real-world illustrations of how the scriptural teaching on evil matches with human experience. Scholars often point out the consistency between biblical accounts of mankind’s condition and documented human history, reinforcing the scriptural narrative that humanity struggles under the weight of moral failure and sorrow.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY AND JUSTICE

Even while evil exists, Scripture portrays God as entirely sovereign. Daniel 4:35 declares, “[God] does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand.” In other words, no act of evil ultimately hinders His overarching purposes.

At the same time, God is shown as entirely just (Psalm 89:14: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne”). Evil is not disregarded or excused; rather, the Bible promises a final accounting. Revelation 20:12–13 points to a day of judgment in which all deeds are weighed, and evil is addressed comprehensively.

Archaeological discoveries such as the Tel Dan Inscription, which corroborates certain biblical historical details, remind readers that the Scriptures speak into real time and places. This complements the biblical claim that God’s justice is not a myth but will be applied to actual people who lived—and continue to live—throughout history.

THE REDEMPTIVE RESPONSE AND PURPOSE IN SUFFERING

Scripture does not simply define evil; it presents a divine rescue plan. Jesus is described as the ultimate solution to evil and sin through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Romans 5:19 reveals: “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One Man the many will be made righteous.”

Intriguingly, suffering—and even the presence of evil—can serve a transformative purpose. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brothers: “You intended evil against me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.” Here, Scripture shows that God’s sovereignty can bring about His plan through the very circumstances intended to cause harm.

This redemptive theme is consistently observed in the New Testament. James 1:2–4 teaches that trials can produce perseverance and maturity in believers, demonstrating that God uses hardships to refine character and deepen faith. The existence of modern accounts of transformation—where individuals turn from destructive paths to purposeful, loving lives—further exemplifies this scriptural principle.

THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S GOODNESS AND FINAL VICTORY

While evil ravages the present world, the Bible concludes that God triumphs over it permanently. Revelation 21:4 promises, “[God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” Evil is neither infinite nor uncontested; the final biblical vision is that a renewed creation emerges, marked by holiness, justice, and the absence of suffering.

Such a hope is tied to the historical resurrection of Christ. Scholars have assembled multiple lines of evidence—empty tomb narratives, early firsthand accounts such as 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, and transformed communities—consistent with an actual resurrection event. This resurrection, the New Testament authors argue, seals the assurance of God’s power to defeat all evil and confirm His promise of eternal life.

Finally, the proven consistency of Scripture, from early manuscripts to modern translations, assures that the biblical teaching on evil and God’s existence remains intact. Thousands of manuscript copies confirm the cohesive message that God both allows human freedom and combats evil with a definitive plan of redemption.

CONCLUSION

From start to finish, the Bible depicts God as the eternal Creator and Sustainer who remains sovereign and just, even amid the reality of evil. It presents human beings as image-bearers with free will, who chose to step outside of God’s righteousness, introducing sin and suffering into the world. Yet this same God graciously intervenes with redemption through Christ, offering hope, forgiveness, and a final verdict on evil.

By explaining the purpose of suffering, the function of human choice, and the steadfast nature of God, the biblical account provides both a moral and existential framework that addresses the question of evil in light of God’s enduring existence.