Why is there calamity and evil? We hear variations of this question from children quite often. We teach a biblical view on the subject, and the Bible is very clear about why things are broken. It is the backdrop for God’s statements about our need for a relationship with Him. Consider a few recent examples how the issue shows up:
We visited Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains. This beautiful valley was home for over a hundred families in the late1800s. Because of the mountains that surrounded it, the community had to be relatively independent. One would think it had a good chance of escaping bad things. Conditions were not always so good. 
The grave in the little Baptist church shows infants that died in more than one family. The Civil War brought other pressures and divisions. Living in the secluded valley was not easy. Eventually, everyone was relocated as the National Park Service turned the ‘Cove’ into a history site within the national park. The Smokey Mountains remain beautiful, but even the mountains we see today came about because of a calamity.
Consider war for a moment. The US Civil War is still a record for the highest loss of US citizens in any war. Worldwide deaths, on the other hand, are topped by World War II. Conflict has not ceased through history, but neither has disease and famine, where millions died per major event. The race and exploitation of lands and peoples for the sake of wealth and power follow the rise and fall of empires and nations. There are seeming high spots, but they do not last. Something is seriously broken.
The popular theory of evolution falls on its face the limelight of these things. It seems, contrary to its dogma, we are not getting better. Evil persists. Young people do not have to rely on history to conclude the world is broken. They can look at relationships around them from their classmates to parents (or their absence) or relatives or the general public. It bothers them when they don’t work, and we have seen the hurt as they try to make sense of what they experience. There is a heart cry for peace for adults or children, but it is very allusive.
This is where the Bible is so important. The true history of origins is in Genesis 1 and 2. It starts with the record of God’s magnificent creation, including the first people (the only created living thing made in His image). In the process He declared His intentions for life and relationship with Him by His actions. Shortly thereafter sin entered the picture (Genesis 3). In a sense, it was a perfect storm as God gave us full ability to draw to Him or travel our own path. The first two people chose badly, and we follow the pattern, being made of the same stuff and affected by the same tendencies. And what is that sin? We think we have a better way of obtaining life than through the Creator. The Bible is full of examples. So, through history most people turn down a wide avenue, thinking they can do it better, while the way to Life is narrow (Matthew 7:13-14). It requires reaching out to Him (Matthew 7:7-11) so that a relationship is re-born.
This is why God provides the Good News—a redeeming Savior, who gave His life for us (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). One cannot earn a relationship with Him by works and good deeds, because we all fall short, and the Old Testament repeats that assertion through many prophets. History attests to those failures. But in every place and century, the call goes out in many ways to come to Him. His sacrifice means the price for our wayward ways (sin) is paid in full, so we can be forgiven. Some have believed. You can also. Such a walk does not immediately solve all the problems, but it is a path of life and a peace that is placed within peoples’ hearts that begins a real life-changing process. Thus, while most of the world careens on a course of futility, God mercifully continues beckon and gather a people who will walk with Him (Acts 17:24-31). In the meantime, weeds will grow among the wheat (Matthew 24-30). Evil will continue for a time (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
At the chosen time, which only He knows, the last ones will be gathered (Revelation 6:11). The numbers of those who are killed for their faith will end. The time of judgement will occur. He will gather those who have chosen His way through the ages. The Bible says that the end is near (2 Peter 3:10-12), so walk carefully. Choose wisely. Evil and calamity will be swallowed up when that final time comes. It is good for each one to find their name to be in the book of life (Luke 10:20, Revelation 20:15).
New heavens and a new earth await those who walk with Him (2 Peter 3:13, Isaiah 6517-19), where there will be no more sorrow or tears (Revelation 21:1-4). The beauty and depth of that eternal life will be perfect, not marred by sin as this one is, no matter how beautiful we think it is.
