If God is good and all-powerful, why does evil exist? A compassionate philosophical response to humanity's most challenging question
✨ Problem of Evil & Suffering • PDF • Free Download
"If God is all-good, He would want to eliminate evil. If God is all-powerful, He could eliminate evil. Evil exists. Therefore, God doesn't exist."
This is the "problem of evil"—the most emotionally powerful objection to Christianity. It's not just an abstract philosophical puzzle. It's the cry of a parent watching their child suffer, the question of a victim of abuse, the protest of every person who has experienced unjust pain.
Christianity doesn't dodge this question. It faces it head-on with both philosophical answers and a God who entered our suffering personally through Jesus Christ.
Love requires freedom to choose. A world with genuine love requires the possibility of evil. God created humans with free will because forced love isn't real love. Much evil results from human choices, not God's design.
Evil entered through human sin (Genesis 3). The world wasn't created with suffering—it came through the Fall. Natural disasters, disease, and death are consequences of living in a broken world affected by sin.
Romans 8:28 promises God works ALL things for good. Suffering produces: character, compassion, dependence on God, eternal perspective. Gold is refined through fire; Christians are refined through trials. Joseph said to his brothers: 'You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good' (Genesis 50:20).
Theodicy = "justification of God" — systematic philosophical answers to why God permits evil
Academic responses to the logical and evidential problems of evil
God didn't stay distant from suffering. Jesus entered our pain: betrayed, tortured, crucified. He knows suffering intimately. And through His death, God defeated evil and will one day eradicate it completely. Christianity doesn't just explain suffering—it offers hope through a Savior who conquered death.
"He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities" - Isaiah 53:5
Explore other common objections to Christianity and see how faith addresses life's hardest questions
Access the complete skeptic journey guide in one comprehensive PDF. Everything you need for this stage, all in one place.
How Scripture addresses suffering and evil throughout history
How to respond to suffering in your own life and help others in pain
Real stories of faith through extreme suffering
Quadriplegic for 55+ years
Background:
At age 17, a diving accident left Joni paralyzed from the neck down. She spent months in deep depression, even contemplating suicide.
Testimony:
I can honestly say I'm glad for my wheelchair. It taught me total dependence on God. I would never have known the depth of God's love without going through this suffering.
Impact:
Founded Joni and Friends, a global ministry serving people with disabilities. Has painted over 1,000 paintings holding a brush between her teeth. Author of 50+ books.
God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.
Nazi concentration camp survivor
Background:
Corrie and her family hid Jews in their home during the Holocaust. Betrayed, she was sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp where her sister Betsie died.
Testimony:
In the concentration camp, I saw the worst of evil. But I also experienced God's presence in a way I never had before. Betsie and I would pray with the other women, sharing the Gospel even in that hell.
Impact:
After the war, Corrie traveled to 60+ countries sharing about forgiveness and God's love. She even forgave one of her former camp guards who came to her for forgiveness.
There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still.
Death of his wife
Background:
Lewis married Joy Davidman late in life. She died of cancer just four years later, plunging Lewis into grief.
Testimony:
In 'A Grief Observed,' Lewis wrestled honestly with doubts and anger at God. But he ultimately concluded: 'The time when there is nothing at all in your soul except a cry for help may be just the time when God can't give it: you are like the drowning man who can't be helped because he clutches and grabs.'
Impact:
His raw honesty about grief helped countless Christians process loss without pretending. He demonstrated that doubt and faith can coexist.
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
Born without arms and legs
Background:
Nick was born with tetra-amelia syndrome. He attempted suicide at age 8 in a bathtub. 'I felt I had no purpose, that I was a burden to everyone.'
Testimony:
I realized that my life's purpose wasn't despite my disability, but because of it. God gave me this platform to demonstrate that true value isn't in what you can do, but in Whose you are.
Impact:
Founder of Life Without Limbs ministry. Spoken to 6+ million people in 57 countries. Married with four children.
If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!
Understanding different categories of suffering and their spiritual responses
Consequences of our own or others' sinful choices
Biblical Response:
Repentance, forgiveness, restoration
Scripture:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Examples:
Living in a fallen world with natural disasters and disease
Biblical Response:
Trust in God's sovereignty, compassion for victims
Scripture:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. (Romans 8:28)
Examples:
Oppression, violence, and systemic evil
Biblical Response:
Pursuit of justice, trust in ultimate judgment
Scripture:
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:19)
Examples:
Death of loved ones and permanent loss
Biblical Response:
Lament, community support, resurrection hope
Scripture:
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
Examples:
Chronic pain, disability, and medical challenges
Biblical Response:
Prayer, medical care, endurance, trust
Scripture:
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor 12:9)
Examples:
Suffering specifically for faith in Christ
Biblical Response:
Rejoicing in sharing Christ's sufferings
Scripture:
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye. (1 Peter 4:14)
Examples:
How God uses suffering to refine, strengthen, and transform us
Suffering teaches us what prosperity never can
Scripture Foundation:
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. (Psalm 119:67)
Living Example:
C.S. Lewis wrote after his wife's death: 'God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.'
Trials produce proven character
Scripture Foundation:
Tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)
Living Example:
James writes: 'Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.' (James 1:2-4)
We comfort others with the comfort we've received
Scripture Foundation:
Blessed be God...who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble. (2 Cor 1:3-4)
Living Example:
Joni Eareckson Tada, paralyzed at 17, has spent 50+ years ministering to those with disabilities, saying: 'God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.'
Tested faith is proven faith
Scripture Foundation:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise. (1 Peter 1:7)
Living Example:
John Piper: 'God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him—especially in the midst of loss and suffering.'
Suffering shifts our hope from temporary to eternal
Scripture Foundation:
Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (2 Cor 4:17)
Living Example:
Paul, after shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment: 'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' (Phil 1:21)
We become overcomers by overcoming
Scripture Foundation:
He that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10:22)
Living Example:
Corrie ten Boom, after surviving Nazi concentration camps: 'There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still.'
What to do when you or someone you love is suffering
Don't pretend. God can handle your anger, doubt, and questions. Read the Psalms—they're full of raw honesty.
Write down times God has been faithful. When you can't see His hand, trust His heart.
Don't isolate. Even if you can't pray, let others pray for you. Borrow their faith when yours is weak.
Continue spiritual disciplines even when they feel empty. Faith isn't feeling; it's obedience despite feeling.
You're not the first to struggle. God's Word contains the cries of His people and His faithful responses.
It's okay to cry out 'How long, O Lord?' God invites lament. One-third of Psalms are laments.
You don't need eloquent words. 'Help me, Jesus' is a complete prayer.
When you don't know what to say, pray God's Word. It's always appropriate.
Sometimes there are no words. God hears the groans too deep for words (Romans 8:26).
Ask faithful believers to intercede. Corporate prayer carries power.
Satan isolates. God uses community. Let people in, even when it's hard.
People want to help but don't know how. Tell them: 'I need meals Monday/Wednesday' not 'I'm fine.'
Receiving is a gift you give others. Let them serve you.
You need friends who can sit in silence, not those who offer trite answers.
Therapy, counseling, medical care—these are God's gifts too. Don't spiritualize away practical help.
Your pain isn't pointless. God will use it, even if you can't see how yet.
Your story will help someone else. You're being equipped to comfort others (2 Cor 1:4).
Weakness drives us to God. That's not failure—it's the point.
This light, momentary affliction is preparing eternal glory beyond comparison (2 Cor 4:17).
Gold is purified by fire. So is faith. You're becoming who God designed you to be.
God's promise of ultimate restoration and justice
The Christian answer to suffering doesn't end at the grave. The story isn't over. God promises complete restoration—not just spiritual, but physical, emotional, and cosmic.
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new."— Revelation 21:4-5 (KJV)
What will be restored:
Every wrong will be made right. Every hidden evil will be exposed. Every victim will be vindicated. Every perpetrator will face justice. God's righteousness guarantees it.
"God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work." (Ecclesiastes 3:17)
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:26)
Paul, who suffered immensely for Christ, had this perspective:
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."— Romans 8:18 (KJV)
The weight of glory will so far outweigh the weight of suffering that suffering will seem like a light, momentary affliction in comparison.
The problem of evil doesn't disprove God—it points us to the God who entered our suffering
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