The Problem of

Evil

A philosophical problem…

“Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he malevolent. Is he both willing and able? then why is there evil?

David Hume, 18th century Scottish philosopher

A philosophical problem…

“If you ask me to believe this is the work of a benevolent and omnipotent spirit, I reply that all the evidence points in the opposite direction. Either there is no spirit behind the universe, or else a spirit indifferent to good and evil, or else an evil spirit.”

C.S. Lewis, The Problem Of Pain

The Problem of

Evil

with staggering practical consequences!

“Much disbelief in God is not a scientifically calculated rejection of the proposition, ‘God exists’ but a heartfelt protest against the depth and extent of human suffering. This ‘protest atheism’ rejects the existence of a loving God because the notion seems implausible in light of the facts.”

Nigel Wright, A Theology Of The Dark Side

Some responses to the problem of evil. Evil is an illusion.

God is not all-powerful.

Evil is actually good.

The Problem of

Evil

A Biblical response. Man was created with freewill.

Evil is the result of misusing the freedom God has given us.

Does God care, and can He do anything about it?

• Yes! God cares. (Psalm 55:2; Matthew 6:26; 1 Peter 5:6-7)

• Yes! He has done something… the cross of Christ.

The Problem of

Evil

A Biblical response. Man was created with freewill.

Evil is the result of misusing the freedom God has given us.

Does God care, and can He do anything about it?

• It is also in the cross that we can see how God can use evil to accomplish good (cf. Rom. 8:28).

The Problem of

Evil

A Biblical response. What about physical evil?

Physical evil is the direct result of man’s sin (cf. Gen. 3:17; Rom. 8:19-22).

• Evil that exists that has nothing to do with moral choices… disease, natural disasters, pain and suffering in the animal world.

The Problem of

Evil