1.1.6 The Problem of Evil and Suffering and a Loving Righteous God

Question 1

What is evil?

Answer 1

The opposite of good - causes suffering

Question 2

What is moral evil?

Answer 2

Suffering caused by the actions of people

Question 3

What is natural evil?

Answer 3

Suffering caused by no fault of people e.g. earthquakes

Question 4

What do Christians believe about the link between original sin and suffering?

Answer 4

People lost their immortality due to original sin

Suffering caused by death is a direct result of original sin

Question 5

What do Christians believe happens when people disobey God today?

Answer 5

By disobeying God further sin is created causing more suffering

Question 6

What do Christinas consider to be the problem of evil?

Answer 6

That if God is omnibenvllent then he would care enough to stop suffering
That if God were omnipotent he would be powerful enough to stop suffering

Question 7

How do some Christians see suffering?

Answer 7

As the natural result from the influx nature of people - moral evil

Question 8

How do some Christians explain natural evil?

Answer 8

The world is a test and preparation for heaven - natural evil gives people the opportunity to demonstrate that they are following the teaching to ‘love others’
Some think that God has a purpose that people do not know and therefore should not question