The Problem of Evil (1.7)

Question 1

what is the problem of evil

Answer 1

• If god is omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent then how does evil exist
• J.L Mackie - the inconsistent triad
• this logically doesn’t make sense
• St Augustine of Hippo (4th century) wrote in his ‘Confessions’ - “Either God cannot abolish evil or he will not; if he cannot he is not all-powerful, if he will not, he is not all good”

Question 2

why does the problem of evil and suffering possible lead some people not to believe in God

Answer 2

• Christians believe that God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent. However, evil and suffering may lead some people not to believe in God
• If God is omnipotent then He would be able to stop evil and suffering, because he is all powerful.
• If God is omniscient, he would know when people suffer, because he is all-knowing
• If God is omnibenevolent, He would want to stop evil and suffering, because he is all-loving
• In Genesis it says that God created the world and saw that it was ‘good’. Evil and suffering is evidence that the world, however, is not all good and therefore God must not exist

Question 3

What do Christians believe is the cause of evil and suffering

Answer 3

• Christians believe that moral evil is the result of the freewill that God has given us. Many Christians believe that Adam and Eve were the first humans created by God and they were the first to choose to sin because of their freewill. Sin leads to moral evil
• Christians believe that all humans are born with original sin, inherited from Adam and Eve. Although this can be cleansed by baptism, humans still have the tendency to sin because of our freewill. This means that they often turn away from the goodness of God. This leads to moral evil, such as violence and murder
• Christians believe that all humans are born with original sin, inherited from Adam and Eve. Although this can be cleansed by baptism, humans still have the tendency to sin because of our freewill. This means that they often turn away from the goodness of God. This leads to moral evil, such as violence and murder

Question 4

what are the Christian responses to the problem of evil

Answer 4

• Jesus worked to help those who suffer, so that is what we must do e.g. become nurses, doctors, work for charity etc
• We can pray to God- this can bring us closer to God in times of suffering
• some Christians will say the reason God allows suffering to happen is because it can bring out good in people. We need to suffer to learn how to be loving and good to others, e.g. Maxillian Kolbe in Auschwitz
• God will reward those who suffer on Earth- suffering is a test of faith
• John Hick says that suffering helps us to become better people. Only by overcoming challenges can we become ‘children of God’
• Some believe that there is no point worrying about suffering as it is a part of God’s plan for us, which we don’t understand