“If God is all knowing and knew that Satan would rebel and Adam and Eve would sin, why did He create them?” – Anonymous Asker
Very interesting question. It’s one that has plagued the minds of many people. With this world being as bad as it is, why would God bother creating it? Better that some people never existed than go to Hell because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. …Right?
Let’s see if we can answer that. I will be taking your question on two fronts. Firstly, I will address your question in light of “Why?”. Why did God create Adam and Eve at all? Secondly, I will answer your question in light of the outcome of creation. Based on why God created Adam and Eve, why did He do it knowing how bad the world would end up?
Why God Created Adam and Eve
Man was created for one reason: To glorify God. Consider:
Romans 11:33-36 (NIV), “33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
All things are for God. All things are His and all things exist for Him and His glory. Man was created for God—to show forth His glory, both by being the most magnificent of God’s creations and living to bring God glory.
Now to the question you posed: Why would God create the universe if He knew it would fall into sin? The answer is that His ultimate purpose has never been hindered. If God’s glory is the purpose of existence, then as long as that purpose wasn’t thwarted He still had reason create everything. Even though Man sinned and brought dishonor to God’s creation, He had already planned to fix it: Jesus Christ. Christ died to pay for Man’s sin and bring Man back to God to glorify Him. Since the purpose of God’s glory could still be attained in Creation even with the presence of sin, God created it anyway.
Conclusion
I hope that answers your question adequately. If it doesn’t, just comment! I welcome discussion.
God bless,
Robert A. Rowlett