When it comes to arguments against the God of the Bible, the Problem of Evil is like the Justin Bieber of theological debates – it’s everywhere, and it just won’t go away! But fear not, my friends, for I have come to help you with this age-old discussion.
In a nutshell, the Problem of Evil, goes something like this: “If God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good, then why does evil exist? Huh? Gotcha, God!” But let’s be real here. Just because we can’t wrap our heads around the complexities of the universe doesn’t mean we should throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Now, this is a complex topic. I plan to write more articles on the subject, addressing any concerns and providing more comprehensive coverage. However, in this article, we will take a more generalized approach. The more specific detailed responses will be covered in future articles.
Response to the Problem of Evil
Let’s take a look at the Problem of Evil again, shall we? “If God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good, then why does evil exist?” Okay, great, now these arguments are nothing new, they’ve been around for thousands of years. Because of that, there are three classical responses that have been developed and fine-tuned. Firstly you have the free will defense then the greater good defense and also the soul-building theodicy.
These three classical responses are well, that, classical responses. There are many more responses that people have come up with to combat the problem of evil. I even have one I came up with during a handful of discussions with skeptics. That said in this article we will be sticking to the classical responses.
Another thing you should note when using these responses, they are not meant to be definitive solutions to the problem of evil, but rather they are ways to help make sense of it. They are ways to help us wrap our heads around the complexities of the universe. Not ways to remove those said complexities. Remember “The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:9)
Free Will Defense
The Problem of Evil is a common argument against the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God. However, the Free Will Defense provides a compelling response to this challenge.
The Free Will Defense argues that God gave us humans the ability to make our own choices because love cannot be forced. This freedom allows for the possibility of evil, as individuals can choose to act in ways that harm others or themselves. But here’s the thing: just because we have free will doesn’t mean God is responsible for the evil in the world.
Here’s an analogy that might help you understand the point I’m trying to make here. Let’s say your parents buy a whole pizza, and you decide to eat the entire pizza by yourself. Your parents aren’t responsible for your decision to eat the entire pizza. Sure they may have provided it, but you’re the one who decided to go all-in and eat the entire thing.
Now, I don’t want to get too deep into this section, as I plan on doing a deep dive into it later. But let me just say this: God gave us free will because freedom is better than enslavement. For us to truly love God as He wants us to, we must also have the freedom not to love Him at all.
Greater Good Defense
The Greater Good Defense is a compelling argument for those who may lean towards fatalism. It posits that God permits a degree of suffering and evil in the world to ultimately achieve a greater good that only He can foresee. Consider it like when your parents allow you to learn to ride a bike independently, aware that you may stumble and hurt yourself, yet valuing the independence and freedom you will gain as more significant than the potential pain.
However, it’s crucial to clarify that the Greater Good Defense does not imply that God is a cosmic sadist, deriving pleasure from our suffering. Instead, it suggests that He operates with a grand plan, a divine design that is beyond our limited human understanding.
Soul-Building Theodicy
The Soul-Building Theodicy suggests that suffering and evil are necessary for our spiritual growth and development. It’s like going to the gym and lifting weights – no pain, no gain. You can also imagine it like this: God as a cosmic drill sergeant, putting us through the ultimate spiritual boot camp.
According to this perspective, God allows evil to exist because it helps us develop virtues like courage, compassion, and resilience. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But wait, if God is all-powerful, why can’t he just snap his fingers and make us virtuous without all the pain and suffering?” Well, that’s like asking why you can’t become a master chef by watching cooking shows. You gotta get in the kitchen and burn a few meals before you can create a culinary masterpiece.
In the same way, God wants us to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty in the messiness of life. It’s through facing challenges and overcoming them that we grow and mature as spiritual beings.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that God is sitting back and enjoying our suffering. A deeper take of the Soul-Building Theodicy emphasizes that God is with us in our struggles, providing comfort, strength, and guidance. It’s like having a personal trainer who pushes you to your limits but also cheers you on and helps you recover after a tough workout.
The Problem of Good
Now, let’s flip the script and ask a question that might make some atheists squirm in their seats: “If God doesn’t exist, then why is there so much goodness in the world?” It’s like finding a perfectly ripe avocado in the middle of a desert – something that good doesn’t just happen by chance.
According to the atheist worldview, everything is the result of random chance and the cold, unfeeling laws of nature. So, how do they explain all the love, kindness, and beauty in the world? Sure, they might argue that these things are just the result of evolution and social conditioning. But let’s be real here. If we’re nothing more than a bunch of highly evolved apes, then why do we have such a strong moral compass? Why do we feel guilty when we do something wrong? It’s like a cat feeling guilty for eating a mouse – it just doesn’t make sense.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Problem of Evil is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been debated for centuries. While it may seem like a challenge to the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God, there are several classical responses that provide compelling arguments. The Free Will Defense, the Greater Good Defense, and the Soul-Building Theodicy each offer unique perspectives on why God might allow evil to exist in the world.
These responses do not provide definitive solutions to the Problem of Evil, but rather they offer ways to help us make sense of the complexities of the universe. They remind us that our understanding of God and the world is limited, and that we must trust in His divine plan, even when it doesn’t align with our human expectations.
Furthermore, the Problem of Good raises an intriguing question for those who reject the existence of God. If everything is the result of random chance and natural laws, then how do we explain the existence of love, kindness, and beauty in the world? This question challenges the atheistic worldview and invites further exploration of the nature of reality and the existence of a higher power.
Ultimately, the Problem of Evil and the Problem of Good are reminders that our understanding of the world is limited, and that faith and trust in God’s divine plan are essential for navigating the complexities of life.
As with everything we provide here at TrinityApologetics, I sincerely hope that this article has been useful and has helped to strengthen your faith. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and understanding necessary to confidently engage with the challenges to your faith, and to deepen your relationship with God.
We believe that a strong foundation in the Word of God is essential for navigating the complexities of life, and we are committed to providing you with resources that help you grow in your understanding of Scripture and your walk with Christ.
Bible Verses Supporting Each Defense
Now I could just leave you there but I think it’s deeply important for us as Christians to be able to back up our claims/beliefs within the confines of scripture. So here are a few passages of scripture supporting each of these three defenses.
- Free Will Defense:
- Genesis 2:16-17: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.'”
- Joshua 24:15: “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
- Galatians 5:13: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
- Deuteronomy 30:19-20: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
- Greater Good Defense:
- Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
- Isaiah 45:7: “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.”
- John 9:1-3: “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.'”
- Isaiah 55:8-9: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- Soul-Building Theodicy:
- James 1:2-4: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
- Romans 5:3-5: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
- Hebrews 12:5-11: “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it'”
- 1 Peter 1:6-7: ” In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
