Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People | Dr. Sean McDowell | October 18, 2026

Main message: The sermon addresses why God allows evil and suffering, arguing that Christianity offers the most rational and hopeful response. It says evil is a corruption of good, human freedom explains much suffering, and Jesus’ suffering and resurrection show that God enters pain with us and defeats sin and death.

Key points:

• The question of evil and suffering is deeply personal, not just academic.
• Evil is not an equal opposite of good; it is good corrupted, which points to a standard of goodness.
• Human free will helps explain why God allows moral evil, but not every instance can be fully explained now.
• When people suffer, the right response is presence, empathy, and weeping with them—not just quoting verses.
• God may use suffering to shape character, awaken people spiritually, and draw them toward eternal hope.
• Christianity is unique because God in Christ entered suffering, identified with human pain, died, and rose again to bring forgiveness and victory over death.

Scriptures mentioned: Habakkuk 1:2-3, Romans 8, Romans 12, 1 Peter 3, Hebrews 2, Hebrews 4, 2 Corinthians 11, 1 Corinthians 15, Romans 5:8, Romans 10