When A Skeptic Questions The Existence Of God, A Christian responds

Author: Johnson Jean |1.3.2026 | New York, USA

It is unquestionably absurd to pretend that the existence of injustice, corruption and suffering proves God doesn't exist, care, or He is silent. Such observation confirms however the Bible's diagnosis of a fallen world governed by human free will, spiritual decay, and systemic sin. Scripture does not only anticipate what we see today especially in nations plagued by deception, injustice, violence, and bondage, but also offers a coherent explanation and a lasting solution: the restoration of truth, justice, peace and freedom through God's Kingdom. On January 1, 2026, I was wishing a blessed and happy new year to a close relative, he rejected any so called "blessed wishes" that came in the name of God because he said that he is skeptical if "my God" exists or cares for humanity: He stated " If God is all powerful and loving, He would not allow extreme injustice, where powerful people rise to power, and wealth, and knowledge are hoarded by a few and millions lack food, shelter, care and dignity". Therefore, he believes either God does not exist; or, if He is, He does not care. While this argument feels compelling and may reflect the view of many because it starts from real suffering, however, it collapses when we examine it closely because it misidentifies both the source of injustice and the nature of divine justice. The observation that that skeptic made is consistent with what the Bible describes but rejects the conclusive argument. Yes, injustice exists not because God is absent, but because humans, individually and collectively have rejected God's rule and imposed their self-rule. What we are seeing today is not divine failure, but the predictable outcome of moral rebellion. God's response is not denial, but delayed redemption.

Humane Injustice is real and the bible is clear about it. The Bible shows how God has been tackling it through humanity's history and how He ultimately intends to eradicate it. After God designed and engendered the creation, He made and mandated humanity to steward the creation and have dominion over the earth. In Genesis 1:26-28, The dominion that God gave to humans was not a free license to exploit each other but to manage and take care of the "garden", the "society" or the "ecosystem". The Laws, and the Commandments that God provides to men were meant effectively to assure truthfulness, justice, peace, freedom and order because He is Himself a God of order (1 Cor 14:33). The world becomes unjust not because God's laws and commandments were unjust, it is because humans chose freely to rebel against them by implementing their own. Now if we, humans, say that the world is unjust, it is a correct and fair observation. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 4:1 " I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and behold, the tears of the oppressed".

The Bible repeatedly describes, in multiple instances, systems where the wicked prosper and the innocent suffer. The psalmist Asaph expresses in Psalm 73:3-12 a deep concern toward the arrogant and prosperous wicked, observing that they face no suffering until death, their bodies are healthy and well-fed, and they are not afflicted like others. He notes their pride, violence, and the boastful speech, including their claim that God does not know or understand human affairs. This observation led him to question the value of his righteousness, feeling that his efforts to live a pure life were in vain. The wicked are described as always carefree and increasing in wealth, a state that appears to contradict divine justice. Jeremiah dealt with that same struggle where he questioned how the wicked prosper in their ways and why those who deal unscrupulously live at ease. ( Jeremiah 12:1).

The matter of truth is Asaph and Jeremiah were wrestling with the same contradiction that many of us are struggling with today. Jesus clarifies that apparent contradiction by warning those who think that amassing wealth, and earthly success equates to divine favor and could guarantee eternal life. Nevertheless, in Matthew 19:23,24, He reminded rich people the significant spiritual challenges that worldly wealth possessions unless they receive God's help to overcome the obstacles their material possessions present. Because God's Kingdom requires the highest priorities from material security to divine dependence, Jesus said": Truly, I say to you, it will be harder for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. A divine truth that James confirms that human injustice is temporary because God's ultimate justice will prevail in the final judgement upon the rich people that lived in luxury while oppressing other people. (James 5: 1-3)

God did not create injustice; human free will did. God declares his entire creation good in Genesis 1:31 ("God saw all that He had made, and it was very good"). Injustice and evil enter the world through the misuse of the moral freedom granted to humanity. The biblical narrative of the Fall in Genesis 3 illustrates this, where Adam and Eve's disobedience brought sin into the world, leading to consequences like the murder of Abel in the very next chapter (Genesis 4). The ability to choose freely is a privilege that God always offers to mankind and Scripture can prove it (Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15, Psalm 81:11-14). C.S. Lewis extensively articulated this concept, stating, "If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad" . "Goodness and evil are the necessary "price" of genuine moral freedom".(Lewis, 1996, p. 48 ). Injustice results from this free will, and God values free will because, without it, an authentic, loving relationship between creation and Creator would be merely mechanical or robotic. Lewis argues that a world of "automata" (machines) would not be worth creating" ( Lewis, 1996, p. 52). Injustice is the absence of justice, much like cold is the absence of heat.

The absence of truth, peace, freedom, and life engenders lies, violence, bondage and death. This is consistent with the biblical understanding that evil is a deviation from God's perfect nature and law. If God were to remove moral freedom to prevent evil, the notions of truth, love, and peace, including moral responsibility and accountability would cease to exist. A world without choice would be mechanical, but not just. Stating that God causes injustices is categorically false. While He is God and permits us free will, humanity is responsible for the organization and execution of injustice. James 1:13-14 emphasizes that God is not the source of temptation or evil: "When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. "Romans 5:12 also speaks to how sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, thus affecting all humanity. God, in His sovereignty, allows human choices to have real consequences but can bring about good in spite of the evil that results from the misuse of freedom. The plan of salvation through Christ is God's way of redeeming the world from the consequences of this misused freedom (Genesis 3:15).

Systemic corruption concentrates where sin becomes entrenched in social structures. Scripture reveals that those who accumulate power and wealth through exploitation eventually face divine judgment (Proverbs 28:15–16). As recorded in Amos 2:6, the Lord condemned those who "sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. "Haiti currently embodies this tragic reality. Decades of political corruption, foreign exploitation, and moral collapse have depleted Haitian institutions, allowing criminal networks to provide a brutal "order" where justice systems have failed. This is what Keller (2025) means by "The Law of Return applies to no matter what was sowed". This outcome aligns with the biblical principle that nations reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7). Keller (2025) God does not arbitrarily impose injustice; rather, it is often the result of a society's collective choices or consent to unjust systems. The history of Israel serves as a primary example. God repeatedly warned that persistent injustice would lead to national collapse. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed: "Woe to those who make unjust laws... to deprive the poor of their rights" (Isaiah 10:1–2). When kings enriched themselves at the expense of the poor and corrupted the courts, the result was total ruin; spiritually, politically, and economically (2 Kings 17:7–18). Ultimately, collapse follows not because God abandons nations, but because nations abandon the foundations of justice and righteousness (Psalm 89:14).

In conclusion, the Bible confirms what skeptics observe: injustice is real, evil is often systemic, and suffering is widespread. However, Scripture declares that this is not the final chapter of history. Human responsibility for injustice in Biblical theology, echoed by thinkers like St. Augustine, emphasizes that God did not create evil; rather, evil is a privation of good resulting from the misuse of human free will. (Augustine, 1993, Book VII, Chapter ) As Romans 5:12 teaches, sin entered the world through mankind, bringing death and injustice in its wake. Prioritizing final justice over Instant fairness, Christianity does not promise immediate terrestrial fairness but declares a "final justice" where every wrong will be righted. As promised in Revelation 21:4, God "will wipe away every tear... and death shall be no more". In the delayed judgment as mercy, the apparent delay of divine judgment is an act of "long-suffering" patience. According to 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise... he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance". Immediate judgment would end human history; delayed judgment offers a window for restoration. Promising restoration through the kingdom, God’s ultimate solution is not mere social reform, but the total restoration of all things through a Kingdom that cannot be corrupted. This is the fulfillment of Revelation 11:15. "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah". I would say If anyone feels a deep outrage at injustice, Scripture affirms that this moral intuition is correct. C.S. Lewis observed that a "desire which no experience in this world can satisfy" is the most probable evidence that we were "made for another world"(Lewis, 1996, pp.120-121). If you long for true justice, Christianity declares you were created for the coming Kingdom in Jesus-Christ.

References

• Augustine, of Hippo, Saint. A. (1993). Confessions. One Free Choice Of The Will. Hackett Publishing.

• Keller, T. (2025). What Is Wrong With The World? Zondervan Books. https://www.zondervan.com/p/what-is-wrong-with-the-world/

• Lewis, C. S. (1996). Mere Christianity ,not The Problem of Pain

Genesis 1:13-14 (God saw all He had made was good, and It was very good)

Genesis 1:26-28 (Dominion over the creation not over follow human)

Genesis 1:31 (God declared creation was very good).

Genesis 3:15 (God promises ultimate victory through Christ)

Genesis 4 (Cain murders Abel; sin grows rapidly)

Deuteronomy 30:19 (Choose life by loving God always.

Ecclesiastes 4:1 (Oppression and the Oppressed)

Joshua 24:15 (Joshua chooses to serve the Lord)

2 Kings 17:7–18 (Israel's sins led to God's judgment).

Proverbs 28:15–16 (Wicked rulers bring ruin; wise leaders enjoy a long reign.)

Psalm 73: 3-12 (Concerns over wicked prosperity and suffering of the poor)

Psalm 81:11-14 (Israel's disobedience stopped God's full blessing.)

Psalm 89:14 (God's rule built on justice and love)

Isaiah 10:1–2 (God condemns unjust laws and oppression)

Jeremiah 12:1 (Wicked proper and the unscrupulous dealers live at ease)

Amos 2:6 (Israel sells the righteous for money)

Romans 5:12 (Sin and death came through one man)

Galatians 6:7 (People reap whatever they choose to sow)

1Cor 14:33 (God is a God of order)

James 1:13-14 (James emphasizes that God is not the source of temptation or evil)

James 5:1-3 (James warns rich oppressors and their fate during the last days.)

2Peter 3:9 (God is patient, desiring all repent now)

Revelation 11:15 (God's eternal kingdom has begun)

Revelation 21:4 (God ends all suffering permanently)