2.1.2

The Problem of Evil

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The Problem of Evil

For some Christians, the belief that God is all-powerful (omnipotent) and totally loving and just in all his deeds (omnibenevolent) raises problems because of the evil and suffering in the world.

Illustrative background for Loss of faithIllustrative background for Loss of faith ?? "content

Loss of faith

  • When they see suffering, some Christians wonder why God created a world with so much potential for suffering and why he doesn’t stop it.
  • This threatens ideas of God as omnibenevolent and omnipotent: if God was omnibenevolent then he would want to prevent evil and suffering, and if he was omnipotent then he would be able to do so.
  • This can even lead to a loss of faith for some Christian believers.
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Natural evil

  • Some suffering is seen as ‘natural’ such as disease and earthquakes: natural evil.
  • Some Christians have argued that natural evil is a test of how human beings respond to difficulties.
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Moral evil

  • Some suffering is the evil action of human beings, such as violence and injustice: moral evil.
  • Some Christians say that moral evil is the result of human free will, which God has given to all human beings. Sometimes they use this freedom to do good things and sometimes to do evil.
  • They also believe that without free will humans would not be able to have a freely chosen relationship with God.

Jump to other topics

1Buddhism

1.1Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma

1.1.2The Five Skandhas

1.1.3Aspects of Human Life

1.1.4The Buddha

1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life

1.1.6Dhukka

1.1.7Samudaya

1.1.8Nirodha

1.1.9Magga

1.1.10The Wheel of Life

1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs

1.2Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship

1.2.2Objects of Worship

1.2.3Puja

1.2.4Meditation

1.2.5Death

1.2.6Festivals

1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices

1.3Ethics

1.3.1Kamma

1.3.2Five Moral Precepts

1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity

3.1.2Creation

3.1.3Incarnation

3.1.4Redemption

3.1.5Life After Death

3.1.6Heaven and Hell

3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs

3.2The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance

3.2.2Baptism

3.2.3Confirmation

3.2.4Reconciliation

3.2.5Anointing of the Sick

3.2.6Marriage

3.2.7Holy Orders

3.2.8The Eucharist

3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments

3.3Practices

3.3.1Prayer

3.3.2Popular Piety

3.3.3Pilgrimage

3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning

3.3.5Funeral Rites

3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour

3.3.7Catholic Agencies

3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching

3.3.9Justice

3.3.10War

3.3.11Mission & Evangelism

3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices

4Islam

4.1Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God

4.1.2Six Articles of Faith

4.1.3Five Roots of Usul

4.1.4The Nature of God

4.1.5Angels

4.1.6Freedom

4.1.7Life After Death

4.1.8Human Responsibility

4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs

4.2Authority

4.2.1Prophethood

4.2.2The Holy Books

4.2.3The Imamate

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority

4.3Practices

4.3.1Worship

4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts

4.3.3Shahadah

4.3.4Salah & Its Significance

4.3.5Mosques

4.3.6Rak'ahs

4.3.7Sawm

4.3.8Zakah

4.3.9Hajj

4.3.10Jihad

4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations

4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices

4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices

5Judaism

5.1Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God

5.1.2God as One

5.1.3God's Name

5.1.4God as Creator

5.1.5Free Will

5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge

5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs

5.1.8Role of the Messiah

5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs

5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs

5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land

5.2.2Abraham

5.2.3The Covenant

5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai

5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 2

5.2.6Key Moral Principles

5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.3The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance

5.3.2Public Acts of Worship

5.3.3Shabbat

5.3.4Worship & Law

5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

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The Nature of God

Monotheism