The question of why a loving God would allow all creation to suffer for the sin of Adam and Eve touches upon deep theological themes of justice, love, and the nature of sin and its consequences. It’s important to approach these topics with both humility and a recognition of the complexity inherent in the nature of God and His creation.

Firstly, it’s crucial to understand that God’s nature is perfectly just and loving. The Bible describes God’s actions not as acts of arbitrary punishment but as a response to the corruption of sin. Sin, from the biblical perspective, is not merely an individual act of wrongdoing but a force that corrupts and distorts the good creation God made. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, it was not just a singular act of rebellion but an introduction of sin into the human condition, affecting the relationship between humanity and God, among humans themselves, and with the creation.

The consequences of sin, including suffering and death, are indeed profound and touch all aspects of creation, as detailed in Genesis 3 and Romans 8. However, these consequences are not described as God actively inflicting torture on creation but as the natural result of sin’s corruption. Genesis 3:17-19, for example, outlines the curse on the ground as a direct consequence of Adam’s disobedience. Romans 8:20-22 speaks of creation being “subjected to futility,” not willingly, but because of the sin that entered the world.

It’s also essential to see the biblical narrative as one that moves from creation to fall to redemption and ultimately to restoration. The Bible doesn’t leave us with a picture of a world permanently marred by sin. Instead, it offers hope through the promise of redemption in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are central to Christianity because they offer the solution to sin’s problem — not just for humanity but for all creation. In Jesus, God initiates the restoration of the broken relationship between Himself and His creation, a theme beautifully captured in Colossians 1:19-20, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

Ultimately, the Bible portrays God not as a deity who delights in suffering but as a loving Creator who goes to great lengths to restore His creation. The existence of suffering and the impact of sin are acknowledged, but they are not the end of the story. The biblical narrative is one of hope, pointing forward to a time when God will make all things new (Revelation 21:5), wiping away every tear and eradicating death, mourning, crying, and pain. This future restoration reflects God’s love and justice, affirming that the suffering caused by sin will not have the final word.