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How to give an Answer Concerning Evil to a Child

August 7, 2014 by  
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Lisa Franzoy-Neal‎New Apologetics
January 6, 2013 · 

My daughter, Trinity, asked me this question but I don’t think I answered the question adequately: “If God knew that Satan and all the bad angels would turn against Him, that Adam and Eve would fall, and that some people would goto hell than why did God create them? Why wouldn’t God just create those that he knew would be loyal and faithful to Him?

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  • 3 people like this.
  • New Apologetics This article directly addresses that question:

    https://newapologetics.com/the-theodicy-of-divine…

    Please be sure to follow up with any further questions that may not be addressed in this article.
    January 7, 2013 at 1:54pm · Like · 1
  • Andy Malcolm You did not say the age of your daughter but my guess would be around 8 to 12 when children start asking these kind of questions. The article mentioned above may be beyond the ability of a child to follow a lengthy reasoned argument. I’m afraid I don’t have a good answer for you suitable for children. Does anyone have any ideas?
    January 8, 2013 at 12:02am · Like · 1
  • New Apologetics Andy Malcolm An answer suitable for a child in this context is as follows: 

    God is a giver. He gives so perfectly that even when he knows that someone will hate him and not be thankful for his gift, he will still give the *same* gift. This makes it look like God doesn’t know what is going to happen. He knows, but gives just like he would if he did *not* know. He loves even his enemies, and does not make his love depend on what we do with it.

    Of course, this answer presupposes the understanding that hell is not a punishment inflicted by God, but a result of someone’s choice to say “no” to God forever.
    January 8, 2013 at 9:35am · Like · 11
  • Matt Tillman Try this: God gives to all even though SOME do not appreciate the gift(s). God gives for the sake of those who DO appreciate the gift(s).
    January 8, 2013 at 4:48pm · Like · 1
  • New Apologetics Matt Tillman The only correction we would make is to the last sentence of your comment. God gives for the sake of each, and his love does not change if we do not return his love. It is impossible for God, who is perfect and immutable, to diminish his love in response to evil. He is who he is.
    January 8, 2013 at 4:52pm · Like · 1
  • Lisa Franzoy-Neal Thanks for all the responses. My daughter is 15 and your responses helped alot.
    January 10, 2013 at 8:28pm · Like
  • Arianna Swinson Does this help Trinity Neal?
    January 10, 2013 at 8:34pm · Like
  • Matt Tillman New Apolegtics said, “God gives for the sake of each, and his love does not change if we do not return his love. It is impossible for God, who is perfect and immutable, to diminish his love in response to evil. He is who he is.” I agree. God doesn’t not need our appreciation or worship; He is not changed whether we offer them or not. We should give them because it is fit and proper, and living in reality is good for *US.* This is what I give in response to “atheists” who ask why God demanded sacrifices, as if He feeds off of the sacrifice or something. (FTR, I do not believe there ARE atheists; there are only scoffers and doubters who THINK they are atheists. A true atheist would have evidence God doesn’;t exist, which evidence doesn’t exist. Without evidence, they can’t KNOW God doesn’t exist. They therefore take it as an article of FAITH that God doesn’t exist. This is EXACTLY the (usual) complaint scoffers have against believers, that we “take it on faith.” Since scoffers have faith rather than knowledge, they are members of a religion and that religion DOES have a god. The god of the “atheist” is the “atheist” him- or herself, and this is a jealous god who brooks no other(s). This is ALSO a complaint “atheists” have against the One True God.)
    January 15, 2013 at 1:32am · Like · 1

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