The Problem of Evil and Suffering

The Problem of Evil: A Core Challenge to Faith

Christians believe God is:

• Omnipotent (all-powerful)
• Omnibenevolent (perfectly good and loving)
• Omniscient (all-knowing)

Yet the world contains tremendous evil and suffering:

• Natural suffering: Earthquakes, tsunamis, diseases, accidents — cause innocent pain
• Moral suffering: War, abuse, injustice, cruelty — caused by human wickedness

The paradox: If God is all-powerful, He CAN stop evil. If God is all-loving, He WANTS to. So why doesn't He?

Two Major Christian Theodicies (Explanations)

1. Augustine's Free Will Defence

Augustine (4th-5th century) argued that God gave humans free will — the genuine ability to choose between good and evil. Free will is a great good because:

• Love requires choice. Forced goodness isn't real virtue.
• A world with free beings capable of real good is better than a world of automatons.

The cost: Humans often choose evil, causing moral suffering. God allows this to preserve human freedom.

2. Irenaeus's Soul-Making Theodicy

Irenaeus (2nd century) argued that suffering serves a purpose: it develops human character and moral growth. This is sometimes called the "vale of soul-making."

• Courage requires danger to face.
• Compassion requires suffering to witness and relieve.
• Self-sacrifice requires hard choices.
• A world of ease and comfort produces shallow characters.

The idea: God allows suffering (including natural suffering) as a means of developing human virtue and spiritual maturity. The goal is not a world without suffering, but a world in which humans grow and achieve moral and spiritual development.

Challenges to Christian Theodicies

Objection to Free Will Defence:

• Does God's foreknowledge (omniscience) really allow free will? If God knows beforehand what I'll choose, am I truly free?
• Natural evil (earthquakes, childhood cancer) is not a result of human free will. Why does God permit innocent suffering?

Objection to Soul-Making:

• Can't God develop character without such extreme suffering? Would a slightly less painful world still develop virtue?
• Some suffering serves no character-building purpose — a child born with severe genetic disease experiences only pain, not growth.
• If God is all-powerful, why not use other means to develop character besides suffering?

How Christians Respond to Suffering in Practice

Jesus' Suffering: Christians point to Jesus' suffering and death as central to their faith. Jesus didn't prevent suffering; He endured it and transformed it through redemption. This shows that:

• God is not distant from suffering; God entered into it.
• Suffering can be redeemed — given new meaning and purpose through faith.

Prayer and Lament: Many Christians respond to suffering through honest prayer, including lament (crying out to God in pain). The Psalms contain many laments where believers pour out their anguish to God.

Community and Compassion: Rather than trying to "solve" evil theoretically, many Christians focus on responding to suffering with love, service, and justice. Caring for the sick, working against injustice, and supporting the grieving are ways of addressing evil.

Guidance

Remember:

• Point 1 (FOR): The existence of evil and suffering seems incompatible with an omnipotent, omnibenevolent God. Give examples.
• Point 2 (AGAINST): Christian theodicies (free will, soul-making) offer explanations. Quote scripture if possible.
• Point 3 (EVALUATION): Make a judgement. Are Christian responses convincing? Does evil really "prove" there's no God? Consider different perspectives.