The Problem of Evil
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 2.1.2
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on The Problem of Evil
Why does seeing suffering in the world lead Christians to question God?
What are disease and earthquakes seen as by Christians?
What are violence and injustice classified as by Christians?