Christianity Chapter 1: Christian beliefs - 1.7 The Problem of Evil

Question 1

What are 2 characteristics of god’s nature which help Christians approach the problem of evil and suffering?

Answer 1

1. Benevolence
2. Omnipotence

Christians believe god’s love and power means that he not only wants to help people, but he is also able to:

‘The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed’ (Psalm 103: 6)

Question 2

What are the two types of evil and suffering?

Answer 2

• Natural evil: suffering caused by nature that is
  beyond human control.e.g diseases, famine, natural disasters
• Moral evil: deliberately evil actions by human
  beings that cause suffering to otherse.g murder, rape, theft, war

Question 3

What is The inconsistent Triad?

Answer 3

The Inconsistent Triad is the concept of combining any 2 point in the triangle, the third point is disproved

Question 4

How does the inconsistent triad apply to the problem of evil?

Answer 4

• god is thought to be all-loving (benevolent) and
  all-powerful (omnipotent).

-If god is benevolent he would want to remove
evil and suffering.

• If god is omnipotent he would be able to
  remove evil and suffering. Therefore, both god
  and evil cannot exist together, yet evil does exist.
• Therefore, god cannot exist.

Question 5

Why does the problem cause believers to question their faith?

Answer 5

• The problem of evil challenges the existence
  and characteristics of God which can cause believers to doubt their beliefs, especially if they or their loved ones are experiencing pain.
• In times of doubt, a Christian might ask:

If God exists but isn’t all-powerful and all-loving, how can I worship him?

If God is not all-powerful or not all-loving, is that a God I want to believe in?

If God is all-powerful and all-loving, how could he allow suffering?.