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The problem of evil
Short answer
The problem of evil is the most serious objection to belief in God. It comes in two forms. The logical problem claims that God's existence and the existence of evil contradict each other: an all-good, all-powerful God would prevent all evil, and evil exists. The evidential problem makes a weaker claim, that the amount and kind of evil in the world make God's existence unlikely.
Most philosophers, including many atheists, now think Alvin Plantinga's free-will defense answered the logical version. As long as it is even possible that God has morally sufficient reasons for allowing evil, such as preserving free will, there is no contradiction.
The evidential version is harder. Christian responses include "skeptical theism," which says finite minds shouldn't expect to see God's reasons. They also include "soul-making" theodicies, which say that courage, compassion and character grow in a world with real challenges. And they include weighing the evidence of evil against the positive evidence for God. The Christian story adds that God takes evil seriously enough to suffer it himself on the cross, and promises to overcome it completely.
Objections and responses
ObjectionAn all-powerful God could create free beings who always choose good.
ResponseIf they are truly free, whether they choose good is up to them, not God. God can't make free creatures freely do anything.
Read more →ObjectionThe sheer amount of evil is too much.
ResponseHow much is 'too much'? We don't have a vantage point from which to judge what amount an infinite and good purpose might allow.
Read more →ObjectionAnimal suffering existed long before humans.
ResponseThis is a real puzzle. Responses include the value of a stable natural order, a fall that affects creation, and hope for the renewal of all creation.
Read more →ObjectionSkeptical theism makes God unknowable.
ResponseNot knowing God's specific reasons for a particular evil is different from knowing nothing about God's character, which Christians believe is shown in Christ.
Read more →Best resources
- God, Freedom, and Evil by Alvin Plantinga (book)
Read God, Freedom, and Evil by Alvin Plantinga for a short but technical work of philosophy that sets out the free will defence; for readers who want the argument at full strength. See especially the parts on the problem of evil.
- The Problem of Evil by Peter van Inwagen (book)
Read The Problem of Evil by Peter van Inwagen for careful philosophical lectures that are rigorous but conversational in tone; intermediate to advanced. See especially the parts on the problem of evil.
- Horrendous Evils and the Goodness of God by Marilyn McCord Adams (book)
Read Horrendous Evils and the Goodness of God by Marilyn McCord Adams for academic philosophical theology that faces the very worst evils head-on; for advanced readers. See especially the parts on the problem of evil.
- Evil and the God of Love by John Hick (book)
Read Evil and the God of Love by John Hick for an academic survey of the main Christian responses to evil, best for students and serious readers. See especially the parts on the problem of evil.
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