The Problem of Evil

Lesson on 23/09/25

Moral Evil

Evil and suffering caused by humans e.g. torture, murder.

Natural Evil

Evil and suffering caused by nature e.g. tsunami, disease.

The inconsistent triad

The atheist idea that if God were omnibenevolent, he would not want us to suffer.

If he were omnipotent, he could stop us suffering.

And yet, we suffer and so God must not exist.

Quote about the inconsistent triad and who is it by

‘Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.’

By Epicurus (Greek philosopher).

Theodicy

Defence of God despite the problem of evil.

The three main theodicies 

• Original sin

• Life is a test

• The reward of the afterlife

Evidence for Original sin

‘The Fall’

Explanation for Original sin

A perfect world was made by God but because Adam and Eve disobeyed God, the perfect world got distorted and evil and sin appeared.

Natural Evil: The perfect world got distorted. Evil appeared and made the perfect world imperfect.

Moral Evil: Sin appeared in Adam and Eve. Because everyone is born of them, the sin is passed down. This is called original sin (in all people).

This is why evil and suffering exist both naturally and within us.

The rebuttal  for Original sin theodicy

An atheist would say that it is not our fault that Adam and Eve disobeyed God so why must we be punished for their mistake.

Evidence for Life is a test

The Story of Job (pronounced Jo).

(Job is a man who lived a very nice life full of blessings. Then a devil-like figure challenged God saying Job is only faithful because of his easy and nice life. So God takes away all that is important to Job yet he still stays faithful.)

The explanation for Life is a test

God is testing to see who is worthy of going to heaven. He does this by putting people through suffering to see who stays faithful and either deserves to go to heaven or hell.

Rebuttal for Life is a test

Atheists would argue that this is unfair because one Christian might live an easy, faithful life and go to heaven whereas another Christian is tested a lot more, still lives a faithful life, and goes to heaven (main point is that he as to endure more hardships).

The evidence for The reward of the afterlife

‘He will wipe every tear’

(An expression that means in the afterlife God will end all suffering and we will no longer nead to feel hardship.)

The explanation for The reward of the afterlife

Evil and suffering exist in order for us to feel the rewards in the afterlife so that we are truly happy and appreciate them.

Rebuttal for The reward of the afterlife

An atheist would question why we have to go through suffering. Why can’t people just live a nice life and still be happy with the rewards.