One of the biggest challenges to the idea of a loving, all-powerful God is the existence of suffering and evil in the world. If God is truly omnipotent, omniscient, and perfectly good, then why does He allow immense suffering—both human and natural?
This question, known as the Problem of Evil, has been debated by philosophers and theologians for centuries. Some argue that evil is evidence against the existence of God, while others claim that suffering has a divine purpose.
Let’s explore the core arguments, common theistic defenses, and why they fail.
🎥 The Problem of Evil Explained
Before diving deeper, watch this Crash Course Philosophy video for a clear and balanced overview of the Problem of Evil. It explains both the logical and evidential versions of the argument.
📺 Watch: The Problem of Evil (Crash Course Philosophy)
The Logical Problem of Evil
The Logical Problem of Evil, first articulated by the philosopher Epicurus, argues that the existence of evil is incompatible with an all-good, all-powerful God. The reasoning is simple:
1️⃣ If God is all-powerful, He can eliminate evil.
2️⃣ If God is all-good, He would want to eliminate evil.
3️⃣ Evil exists.
4️⃣ Therefore, an all-powerful, all-good God cannot exist.
This argument is logically deductive—meaning if the premises are true, the conclusion must follow. Theists attempt to resolve this contradiction with various explanations, known as theodicies.
Common Theistic Defenses (And Why They Fail)
Many theists attempt to justify evil with explanations like:
1️⃣ Free Will Defense
- “Evil exists because God gave humans free will, and free will allows for moral evil.”
- Why It Fails:
- This only explains human-caused suffering—not natural disasters, diseases, or animal suffering.
- God could have created free will without allowing people to commit horrific acts (e.g., murder, torture).
2️⃣ Suffering Builds Character (“Soul-Making Theodicy”)
- “God allows suffering to test and strengthen our character.”
- Why It Fails:
- Why do babies suffer and die before developing character?
- Why must suffering be extreme and unevenly distributed?
- Many people don’t become stronger from suffering—they simply break.
3️⃣ God Has a Mysterious Plan (“Greater Good” Theodicy)
- “We can’t understand God’s reasons, but evil ultimately serves a greater purpose.”
- Why It Fails:
- This is a non-answer—it assumes God’s existence without proof.
- It diminishes suffering—how can genocide, child abuse, or cancer be “part of the plan”?
4️⃣ The Afterlife Makes Up for Suffering
- “All suffering will be compensated in Heaven.”
- Why It Fails:
- A just God wouldn’t need earthly suffering in the first place.
- Suffering in animals and infants has no ‘greater purpose.’
🎥 Going Deeper: The Evidential Problem of Evil
Many philosophers today focus on the Evidential Problem of Evil, which argues that suffering makes God’s existence improbable, rather than impossible.
William Rowe, a leading philosopher, explains how gratuitous suffering—suffering that serves no greater good—contradicts the idea of an all-good God.
📺 Watch: William Rowe on the Problem of Evil
The Problem of Natural Evil
Even if human suffering could be justified by free will, natural disasters, diseases, and animal suffering present an even greater challenge.
✔ Why would a loving God create tsunamis, earthquakes, and pandemics?
✔ Why do innocent animals suffer in nature?
✔ Why would genetic diseases and birth defects exist at all?
These forms of suffering serve no clear purpose and disproportionately affect the most innocent, making them difficult to reconcile with divine justice.
Conclusion: Does the Problem of Evil Disprove God?
📌 The Problem of Evil remains one of the strongest arguments against a benevolent, omnipotent God. Theistic responses fail to justify suffering without assuming God’s existence first.
📌 If God exists but chooses not to intervene, then He is either not all-good or not all-powerful—contradicting classical theism.
📌 While some argue that suffering is necessary, a truly omnipotent God would not be bound by such constraints.
In the end, the presence of suffering makes belief in a loving, omnipotent God deeply problematic.
📌 What to Read Next
📺 Does Prayer Really Work? (Analyzing whether prayer has real-world effects or is just confirmation bias.)
💡 Join the Conversation – What do you think? Does the Problem of Evil challenge the existence of God? Leave a comment below!
God or Delusion? 