The Mystery of Evil and Faith in Christ: Reflections of St. Augustine

I. The Nature of Evil According to St. Augustine
St. Augustine grappled with the problem of evil in his youth, especially during his time as a Manichaean, a sect that taught that the universe was governed by two opposing forces: good and evil. However, after his conversion to Christianity, St. Augustine began to see evil not as a substance but as an absence or privation of good (privatio boni). According to this view, God, who is the supreme Good, cannot be the author of evil. Evil is not an active force but rather a lack of goodness, a deviation from what is perfect and good.

This perspective helped St. Augustine understand how evil can exist in a world created by a good God. When a creature turns away from God, it loses the goodness He offers, and this loss manifests as evil. For St. Augustine, evil has no independent existence; it is like a shadow that depends on the absence of light. Thus, God remains the creator of a good world, and evil arises only when creatures choose to separate themselves from Him.

II. Human Freedom and the Origin of Evil
For St. Augustine, evil in humanity is a direct consequence of free will. Human freedom is a divine gift that allows each individual to choose good and draw closer to God or, conversely, turn away from Him and fall into evil. According to St. Augustine, the original sin of Adam and Eve is the clearest example of this wrong choice. By disobeying God, the first humans brought evil into the world, along with the inclination to sin that affects all of humanity.

This notion of freedom is crucial for St. Augustine because it allows humans to participate in their own salvation. While human nature is indeed wounded by sin, God’s grace, given through Christ, enables people to overcome this inclination to evil. Faith in Christ, therefore, is not only an act of trust in God but also an openness to divine grace that empowers humans to resist evil and pursue good.

III. Faith in Christ as the Defeat of Evil
St. Augustine’s response to the problem of evil lies in faith in Christ as the Savior of the world. Christ, being God incarnate, took upon Himself the weight of sin and evil to redeem humanity. His sacrifice on the cross represents the definitive victory over evil and death, and faith in Him is the means by which Christians share in this victory.

For St. Augustine, the love of God manifested in Christ is the only force that can conquer evil in the human heart. Faith in Christ is not merely belief in His divinity but a union with Him that transforms a person’s life. Through the sacraments, especially baptism and the Eucharist, Christians receive the grace that enables them to resist evil and grow in holiness.

Moreover, St. Augustine notes that suffering, often perceived as an evil in the world, can become a means of drawing closer to Christ. Suffering allows Christians to share in Christ’s sufferings and purify their love. Thus, evil is not simply eliminated but transformed into a path toward God. From this perspective, faith in Christ enables Christians to see evil and suffering as opportunities to grow in holiness and achieve deeper union with God.

IV. Evil in the City of God and the Earthly City
In the Earthly City, evil manifests in the pursuit of power, pleasure, and wealth, leading to chaos and destruction. In contrast, in the City of God, believers find an inner peace that only Christ can offer. Although the Earthly City will not be fully eradicated until the end of time, St. Augustine encourages Christians to live as citizens of the City of God, resisting evil through faith and Christian virtues.

V. Hope in the Final Victory
St. Augustine teaches that evil will not have the last word. Christian faith proclaims the final victory of Christ over evil and the restoration of creation to a state of perfection and peace. This hope is a source of strength for Christians in their daily struggle against evil. Knowing that God has triumphed and that the City of God will prevail gives believers the courage to face evil without despair.

The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee that good will triumph over evil and that those who believe in Him will share in this victory. For St. Augustine, this promise of eternal life in God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to the Christian life in a world where evil still seems to prevail.

Faith in Christ transforms evil and suffering into opportunities to grow in love and holiness. Through the cross and resurrection, Christ has conquered evil and opened the way to eternal life. This hope in final victory gives Christians the confidence to live as citizens of the City of God, even in the midst of a world marked by evil. St. Augustine teaches that, although evil is present, faith in Christ offers the only true and definitive answer, calling us to live according to this faith, resisting evil, and seeking good in all things.