The Problem Of Evil And Suffering
There are 2 types of evil;
Moral evil – This is evil which is caused by the choices and actions of humans. E.g Murder and war.
Natural evil – This is evil which is caused by natural things, they have to have nothing to do with
humans. E.g. Tsunamis and Earthquakes.
This causes a dilemma for Christian beliefs. This is as if God is all loving (omnibenevolent), how can
he allow for suffering, evil and pain to be present in our universe. Some Christians refuse to believe
that God would create a world with evil and suffering. Therefore, they believe in these being random
acts of nature.
Secondly, if God was omnipotent, how can he allow for these things to happen. If he was all
powerful he has the power necessary to stop them.
Finally, if god was omniscient (all-knowing), he would've known that the creation of
the universe would harness the natural evil it withholds today. Therefore, the problem of evil
contradicts all these things about the nature of God.
Responses (arguments against)
Suffering is part of human existence, and allows humans to
demonstrate their faith to God.
Suffering is more rather a 'test' of faith to see who stays loyal to God through the
harshest of times.
The Psalms show that suffering was intended to be part of life. Joy cannot exist without
suffering as then there is no spectrum.
Jesus taught us that suffering is something that can be fought. For example feeding the famine and
tending to the sick. Therefore, it makes us do good deeds today.
The Trinity
God exists in 3 parts;
The father
Transcendent (God is superior so humans should do his will)
The creator of all
The son
Both supernatural and fully human
Immanent (In the world)
Personal so understands suffering
The Saviour
The Holy Spirit
The guiding presence of God today.
There are 2 types of evil;
Moral evil – This is evil which is caused by the choices and actions of humans. E.g Murder and war.
Natural evil – This is evil which is caused by natural things, they have to have nothing to do with
humans. E.g. Tsunamis and Earthquakes.
This causes a dilemma for Christian beliefs. This is as if God is all loving (omnibenevolent), how can
he allow for suffering, evil and pain to be present in our universe. Some Christians refuse to believe
that God would create a world with evil and suffering. Therefore, they believe in these being random
acts of nature.
Secondly, if God was omnipotent, how can he allow for these things to happen. If he was all
powerful he has the power necessary to stop them.
Finally, if god was omniscient (all-knowing), he would've known that the creation of
the universe would harness the natural evil it withholds today. Therefore, the problem of evil
contradicts all these things about the nature of God.
Responses (arguments against)
Suffering is part of human existence, and allows humans to
demonstrate their faith to God.
Suffering is more rather a 'test' of faith to see who stays loyal to God through the
harshest of times.
The Psalms show that suffering was intended to be part of life. Joy cannot exist without
suffering as then there is no spectrum.
Jesus taught us that suffering is something that can be fought. For example feeding the famine and
tending to the sick. Therefore, it makes us do good deeds today.
The Trinity
God exists in 3 parts;
The father
Transcendent (God is superior so humans should do his will)
The creator of all
The son
Both supernatural and fully human
Immanent (In the world)
Personal so understands suffering
The Saviour
The Holy Spirit
The guiding presence of God today.
