An E-mail question: Why would God create a world where he knew people would sin and go to hell?

Hi Pastor Palm,

I'm often think about the following question and I haven't been able to come up with a good answer.

Why would God have even created a world where he knew people would sin and therefore end up in hell? If he is all knowing and knew this would happen, why did he create people in the first place? Aren't some people doomed to fail? After all, he had the knowledge to realize that some people would end up in hell. But if he hadn't created them they wouldn't suffer?

Any help you could give me would be much appreciated! Thanks for your time.

Hi,

Thanks for writing your question. I can assure you this first. You are not the only one to have asked this question. I believe that most Christians wonder this at some time or another. I am not sure that the answer that I give you is the best and it is certainly not the most authoritative answer you can be given, but it is how I have come to understand it for myself.

When you look at the question of Why God would create a world he knew would be destroyed by sin and Why God would create people knowing that some would be cut off from Him forever in hell I think we need to look at the effect of the alternative. Since God knew that this would happen, He also knew that there would be some benefit and good to come out of it worth all the trouble. Remember that God not only knew that people would sin and some would go to hell, but He also knew that if He created this world and the people in it, His own Son would have to suffer hell and die to redeem it. The moment he took up the task of creation, He had already committed Himself to the cross, knowing that man would sin.

Why would He do it? Certainly he knew the cost. The one necessary conclusion is this: God created a world that he knew would be destroyed by sin because He loves you so much. The alternative (not creating the world) would mean that you would never exist. God so wanted you to live with Him eternally in heaven that he went through with creation. Did He know what this would mean? Yes, he knew that some would suffer hell, and that His own Son would likewise suffer for all of man’s sin, but I am convinced that if you were the only person in the world that he would rescue for heaven, he would still have gone through it all for you.

By the way, this also helps us understand why Christ is “delayed” in returning, and why God does not simply destroy everything and start fresh. He patiently waits for every soul to be redeemed who will believe. He would not lose one, even though the cost is great.

I also struggled with this question for a long time, but recognizing the depth of God’s love for His redeemed people, the Church, helped me see the beauty and wonder of God’s grace.

I would love to talk more with you some time. If you have more questions I am glad to answer as best I can.

Pastor Palm+