Why does a loving God allow evil?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
From the perspective of Coptic Orthodox theology, we understand this through the lens of human freedom, the nature of evil, and the ultimate providence of God.
1. The Gift of Free Will
God, in His infinite love, created man in His own image. A fundamental aspect of this image is free will. As noted by Archimandrite Sophrony, for the Creator to interfere every time a person inclines toward evil would be to deprive man of self-determination. Without the freedom to choose, man would be a mere puppet or a biological machine, incapable of true love. Love, by its very nature, must be a free response. Therefore, God permits the possibility of evil so that the possibility of genuine virtue and love for Him can exist.
2. The Nature of Evil as "Non-Being"
We must understand that God did not create evil. As St. John of Damascus teaches, evil is not a positive substance or a creation of God; rather, it is the "absence of good", just as darkness is merely the absence of light. When we abandon what is according to our nature—which is virtue—we fall into vice. God is the source of all life and goodness; to turn away from Him is to turn toward non-existence and decay.
3. The Rejection of "Western" Juridical Theology
In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, we reject the "Western" theological view that often portrays God as the source of punishment or the cause of evil to satisfy a sense of divine justice or "wrath." As discussed in The River of Fire, God is a loving fire for everyone. The "evil" or "suffering" experienced in the afterlife (and often in this life) is not a change in God’s attitude toward us, but rather our own reaction to His love. For those who love God, His presence is paradise; for those who hate Him, His consuming love feels like a burning fire.
4. The Struggle and Victory over Death
While God allows the consequences of human and demonic choices to manifest, He does not remain indifferent. The Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate response to evil. God entered into our suffering and death to destroy the power of the devil.
We view our life on earth as a "holy war," but not one fought with worldly weapons. As Christians, our battle is against the "last enemy," which is death. God allows us to face trials so that we may grow in spiritual maturity, but He provides the "sword of the Spirit" (the Word of God) to overcome.
5. The Role of the Enemy
We must also recognize that there is an active slanderer who seeks to pervert human thought and convince us that God is a "fearsome and dangerous Creator." This is a lie. God is "Good and the Lover of Mankind". Even when we suffer, we trust that God is working to bring about the universal resurrection and the restoration of all things in Christ.
God allows evil because He respects the freedom He gave us, but He has provided the means—through the Church, the Sacraments, and His own sacrifice—to transform that suffering into a path toward salvation.