Suffering: Can Christian theology overcome the problem of evil?

What is classical theism?

The belief that God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent and eternal.

What does omnipotent mean?

All-powerful.

What does omniscient mean?

All-knowing.

What does omnibenevolent mean?

Perfectly loving and good.

Why does suffering create a challenge for classical theism?

It raises questions about why an all-loving and all-powerful God allows evil.

What is the problem of evil?

The philosophical challenge of explaining why evil and suffering exist if God is good and powerful.

What is moral evil?

Suffering caused by human actions, such as violence or cruelty.

What is natural evil?

Suffering caused by natural events, such as earthquakes or disease.

What is the inconsistent triad?

A philosophical argument claiming three beliefs cannot all be true together.

What are the three parts of the inconsistent triad?

God is omnipotent, God is omnibenevolent and evil exists.

Why is the inconsistent triad important?

It challenges belief in the God of classical theism.

Who developed the inconsistent triad argument?

J. L. Mackie.

Why might evil challenge belief in God?

An all-powerful and loving God should theoretically prevent unnecessary suffering.

What is one Christian response to the inconsistent triad?

God allows suffering for a greater purpose or human freedom.

How is the Devil viewed in Christianity?

As a spiritual being associated with temptation and evil.

Why do some Christians blame the Devil for evil?

The Devil is believed to encourage sin and separation from God.

What is temptation?

The desire to commit sinful actions.

What is a weakness of blaming the Devil for evil?

It may not explain natural evil like disease or earthquakes.

What is the free will defence?

The argument that God allows evil because humans must have genuine freedom.

Why is free will important in Christianity?

Love and goodness are only meaningful if chosen freely.

How does free will explain moral evil?

Humans misuse their freedom and choose sinful actions.

Evaluate a strength of the free will defence.

It preserves human responsibility and moral choice.

Evaluate a weakness of the free will defence.

It struggles to explain natural evil and extreme suffering.

Why might God allow suffering according to some Christians?

Suffering may help humans grow spiritually or morally.

Who was Job?

A righteous man in the Bible who experienced intense suffering.

Why is the story of Job important?

It explores faith, suffering and trust in God.

What happened to Job?

He lost his wealth, family and health but remained faithful.

How did Job respond to suffering?

He questioned God but continued to trust Him.

What lesson does the Book of Job teach?

Humans may not fully understand God’s purposes.

Evaluate the message of Job.

It encourages perseverance and faith, though some argue it does not fully solve the problem of suffering.

What does transcendence mean?

God exists beyond and independent from the universe.

What does immanence mean?

God is present and active within the world.

Why is transcendence important in Christianity?

It emphasises God’s greatness and power beyond human understanding.

Why is immanence important in Christianity?

It suggests God is close to humanity and involved in human life.

How does Jesus relate to God’s immanence?

Christians believe God became present in the world through Jesus.

Why can transcendence create philosophical challenges?

If God is beyond human understanding, His actions may seem distant or unclear.

How can immanence comfort believers?

It suggests God understands and shares human suffering.

Compare transcendence and immanence.

Transcendence emphasises God’s separation from creation, while immanence emphasises His closeness to it.

Why is suffering a major issue in theology?

It affects beliefs about God’s nature, justice and love.

Why do some people reject belief in God because of suffering?

They believe extreme suffering contradicts the idea of a loving God.

How might Christians defend belief in God despite suffering?

By arguing suffering has purpose, results from free will or cannot be fully understood by humans.

What is a key criticism of the free will defence?

Free will may not justify innocent suffering or natural disasters.

Why is the problem of evil difficult to solve completely?

Every explanation creates further philosophical and moral questions.