Why Does Evil Exist? A Christian Perspective on the Religion Debate

I originally published on October 19, 2007 on my old blog, and updated it June 25, 2025, this article delves into the age-old question of why evil exists, offering a Christian perspective on the ongoing debate surrounding religion. I thought this was a good companion post to go along with the Clarity series.

In 2007, I witnessed a thought-provoking debate between Christopher Hitchens, the author of God Is Not Great, and Alister McGrath, the author of The Dawkins Delusion. The topic of discussion was Poison or Cure? Religious Belief in the Modern World. Hitchens argued that religion is a poison, fueling unspeakable evil. While McGrath’s response was thoughtful, it lacked the vigor to effectively counter Hitchens’ arguments. Nearly two decades later, this question remains pertinent: Does religion inherently lead to evil, or is there a deeper narrative at play?

Today, this debate continues to resonate in social media firestorms, political rhetoric, and even casual conversations. Critics like Hitchens, whose arguments persist in modern atheist circles from X posts to Reddit threads, point to historical and contemporary examples of religiously justified actions, such as crusades, terrorism, and cultural conflicts. As Christians, we are confronted with the challenge of responding to these claims. More importantly, how does a Christian worldview, rooted in Scripture, address the question of evil and morality itself?

The Question of Evil and Morality

During the 2007 debate, a pivotal moment came when an audience member posed a profound question to Hitchens. If God does not exist, on what basis can anyone declare an action right or wrong? Hitchens attempted to sidestep the question, focusing instead on how religion provides “divine permission” for evil acts. However, the question lingered: Why does he label these acts as evil? What grounds his moral outrage?

As a Christian, I firmly believe that atrocities, whether historical, such as the Inquisition, or modern, like religiously motivated violence, are inherently evil. However, this ability to label something as evil points to a deeper reality. In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis argues that humans universally possess a sense of right and wrong, which he refers to as the Law of Nature. He writes:

“First, that human beings, all over the world, have this peculiar idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and they cannot truly get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. They know the Law of Nature; they break it. These two facts are the foundation of all clear thinking about ourselves and the universe we inhabit.” (Mere Christianity, p. 8)

This moral intuition is a divine gift, confirmed by the Scriptures in Romans 2:14-15. It’s why individuals like Hitchens and all of us can recognize evil, whether it’s genocide, injustice, or betrayal. But without God, how does an atheist explain this universal moral sense? If life is merely the product of natural selection, why should we care about morality at all?

A Christian Worldview: Morality Points to God

In the Clarity series, we’ve delved into how a Christian worldview, shaped by Scripture, aids us in navigating life’s most challenging questions. From spiritual warfare (relying on God’s strength) to the Bible’s trustworthiness (our foundation for truth), we’ve witnessed how faith provides a lens through which we can comprehend reality. The question of evil and morality is no exception.

Hitchens’ critique assumes that morality is self-evident, but his worldview, naturalism, struggles to explain why. If we’re merely products of evolution, morality becomes a survival mechanism, not a universal truth. Why should I care about atrocities across the globe if they don’t impact my survival? Why label anything as “evil” if there’s no objective standard? These are questions that naturalism can’t answer without resorting to a theistic framework.

In contrast, a Christian worldview establishes morality based on God’s character. As citizens of God’s Kingdom (Colossians 3:17), we perceive evil as a deviation from God’s design, and our moral outrage reflects His justice and love. When we condemn something as evil, whether it’s human trafficking or systemic corruption, we are echoing God’s heart, even if we are unaware of it.

Addressing Religion’s “Evils”

Hitchens’ examples of religious evil often confuse human sin with God’s truth. Christianity acknowledges that people, including Christians, have committed terrible acts. The Bible itself critiques hypocrisy and abuse (Matthew 23:27-28). However, these failures do not negate God’s existence; they highlight our need for Him. As exiles in a broken world (1 Peter 2:11), Christians are called to live honorably, not to wield power or justify violence. Our response to evil is not to abandon faith but to align our actions with Jesus’ love and grace.

In 2025, this tension is felt both online and in global conflicts. X posts decry “religious extremism,” yet many overlook secular ideologies, such as totalitarianism or unchecked consumerism, that have caused equal harm. Evil is not unique to religion; it is a human problem, rooted in our rebellion against God (Romans 3:23). The Christian response is not to point fingers but to point to Jesus, who offers redemption and transformation.

Your Challenge: Reflect and Engage

The debate over religion and evil isn’t just an academic discussion; it profoundly impacts our daily lives. Take a moment to reflect on the source of my sense of right and wrong. In a world that often blames faith for evil, how can I effectively represent King Jesus? As we’ve explored in the Clarity series, our worldview plays a crucial role in shaping our perception of life, morality, and even politics.

Let’s approach this question with prayerful contemplation, as Colossians 3:17 advises: “Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus.” Prayer, as we discussed in our previous post, is our most powerful tool—not a passive act but an active endeavor that invites God’s Kingdom into our world.

Prayer Prompts

• Express gratitude for the moral compass God has gifted us, reflecting His character.

• Seek wisdom to discern right from wrong amidst the complexities of the world.

• Commit to representing Jesus with love, even when faith faces criticism.

If this resonates with you or you feel God’s prompting, don’t hesitate to reach out. Join us in the Clarity series as we construct a biblical worldview to navigate life’s most challenging topics.

Wrestling with Hebrews 10:26

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. — Hebrews 10:26 (NLT)

If you’ve ever stumbled across Hebrews 10:26, you might’ve felt a chill run down your spine. I know I have. It’s one of those verses that stops you in your tracks: “No longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins?” Does that mean salvation can slip through our fingers if we keep messing up?

A friend recently reached out, deeply worried that habitual sin might disqualify them from salvation. That concern is real and worth taking seriously. So, let’s walk through this verse together and explore the truth the author of Hebrews is driving at.

The Context: A Letter to the Pressured

First, a little context helps. Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were feeling the heat—persecution, hardship, and social pressure were pushing them to abandon their faith in Jesus and return to the familiar safety of the Old Testament rituals. Throughout the letter, the author urges them to see Jesus as the superior high priest, whose once-for-all sacrifice surpasses the old system (Hebrews 10:10–14).

By the time we get to chapter 10, the tone is urgent yet hopeful: Hold fast to your faith. Don’t give up.

Then we hit verses 26–27:

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. (NLT)

Wow! That’s scary to think about.

A Hypothetical Gut Punch

But here’s what I think is going on: this isn’t about losing salvation every time we struggle with sin. It’s a warning—not a final verdict. A wake-up call, not a declaration of doom.

What do I mean by that?

Look at the flow of the chapter. In verses 23–25, the author encourages the believers to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,” to “stir up one another to love and good works,” and to keep meeting together. These are positive exhortations to persevere.

Then verse 26 introduces a sharp contrast: If you walk away from this—if you reject the truth after knowing it, if you sin willfully in the sense of turning your back on Jesus—what’s left? If you reject the only true sacrifice, there’s no other place to turn. No backup plan. No alternative Savior.

This isn’t about stumbling, struggling, or even falling into repeated sin. It’s about a deliberate, decisive rejection of the gospel after fully understanding it.

A helpful example comes from John 6:67–69:

Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (NLT)

Even when the teaching was hard, the disciples stayed because they had experienced the life found only in Jesus. That’s the heart behind Hebrews 10:26—it’s urging us not to walk away from the only source of life.

Apostasy, Not Struggle

It’s worth noting that the Greek word for “deliberately” (hekousiōs) refers to a willful, persistent rejection. Think apostasy: someone who has truly tasted the truth and then says, “No thanks,” and walks away entirely. That’s different from someone fighting a habitual sin—whether it’s anger, lust, envy, or something else. For those struggles, the Bible promises grace and forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

Hebrews 10:26 isn’t about God keeping score until you’re disqualified. It’s about the seriousness of rejecting Jesus altogether. It’s asking, “If you walk away from Him, where else can you go?”

Reconciling with Grace

Seeing Hebrews 10:26 this way helps us keep it in harmony with the rest of the New Testament. Consider John 10:28–29, where Jesus says no one can snatch His sheep from His hand. Or Romans 8:38–39, where Paul says nothing can separate us from God’s love. If Hebrews were saying salvation is lost every time we sin willfully, those promises would crumble.

But as a hypothetical warning, it fits. The message is: Don’t abandon Jesus—He’s the only way. Stay with Him.

To my friend concerned about their habitual sins, I’d say this: God isn’t waiting to pull the rug out from under you. Hebrews 10:26 isn’t about your daily struggles. It’s an encouragement to cling to Jesus when life gets hard and sin feels overwhelming. Keep fighting. Keep repenting. Keep relying on grace.

That’s what Hebrews 10 is really about.

Why It Matters

Hebrews is a letter of encouragement with a few sobering what-ifs. It’s for people like us—tempted to drift, prone to doubt, and in need of reminders to hold on. Verse 26 isn’t there to scare us into perfection. It’s there to show us what’s at stake if we walk away.

Jesus’ sacrifice is everything. There’s no Plan B—and there doesn’t need to be. He’s enough.

So, what do you think? Does this view of Hebrews 10:26 bring clarity or raise more questions? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop them below or send me a message. Let’s keep wrestling with this together.

Fight Against Sin

William Wilberforce was a British politician and Christian abolitionist who dedicated his life to the eradication of the slave trade in the British Empire. He believed that slavery was a sin and that it was the duty of Christians to fight against it. In his book, Real Christianity, Wilberforce wrote, “"In the same way, God has called us to be the sworn enemies of sin. We are to wage war against it and strive to give it no opportunity in our lives." (p. 65)

In the same way that Wilberforce fought against the sin of slavery, he believed that Christians should wage war against all sin. He understood that sin was a destructive force that had the power to harm individuals, families, church families, local communities, and entire societies.

 

Wilberforce believed that Christians had a responsibility to fight against sin and strive to give it no opportunity in their lives. When we deal with our own individual sin it lessens the impact that sin has on those around us.

The Bible also teaches that sin is a powerful force that can lead to death and destruction. Romans 6:23 (CSB) says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Sin separates us from God and leads us down a path of destruction.

Followers of King Jesus are called to be sworn enemies of sin, because we know the destructive nature sin has in our lives. 

To be an enemy of sin means that we should not tolerate sin in our lives and that help others to overcome the sin in their lives. We are to strive to live a life that demonstrates God’s character and avoid the paths of temptation that lead us to sin. 

We live in a sin corrupted world which is constantly trying to pull us away from following Jesus. This means being an enemy of sin, even when we know it is evil, will not be easy. Temptation will still come our way and sin will still be present in our lives. However, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can make progress in overcoming sin and live a life that honors Jesus’ sacrifice and reflects the image of God into the world.

Waging war against sin also means that we should be actively involved in fighting against the sin in our world. This includes standing up against injustice, as we fighting against poverty and oppression, and working to bring hope and healing to those who are hurting. We should use our resources, talents, and influence to make a positive impact in the world and to fight against the forces of sin and evil. 

Remember, we can’t win this fight on our own, so we join forces with others working in these areas, offering our prayers and money to extend our love into areas we wouldn’t otherwise be able to go.

This quote from William Wilberforce reminds us that as Christians, we are called to be sworn enemies of sin. It is crucial that we wage war against it and strive to give it no opportunity in our lives. 

For us to do that we need to live a life that bears God’s image of love and holiness by loving our neighbor, working to make a positive impact in the world, and doing what we can to fight against the injustice that is in the world. 

My prayer is that we will be inspired by Wilberforce's example and live a life that is dedicated to fighting against sin and promoting righteousness.