Curated by Justin Bailey
In one sentence: This question explores the apparent paradox of divine omnipotence and the presence of evil, questioning God's action or inaction during such times.
Why it matters: Understanding what God is doing during times of evil challenges and refines theological perspectives on God's nature, sovereignty, and the problem of evil. It directly impacts how believers reconcile faith with the harsh realities of the world.
State of play: Christians believe that God is always active and present, even in the midst of suffering and evil. Several theological explanations address this concern:
- God's Sovereignty: Many assert that God's sovereignty extends over all events, but He allows human free will, which can lead to evil actions.
- Purpose in Suffering: Some hold that God uses suffering to bring about a greater good, develop personal character, or teach valuable lessons.
- Eschatological Hope: Christian doctrine also points to a future resolution where God will right all wrongs and evil will be definitively overcome.
Y
es, but: The persistence of evil challenges many to question how a benevolent and omnipotent God allows such atrocities. This has led to several responses:
- Free Will Defense: Some theologians argue that free will is necessary for true love and moral actions, though it also allows for evil.
- Soul-Making Theodicy: This idea suggests life is a 'vale of soul-making' where individuals develop virtues in the face of challenges and evil.
- Mystery of Divine Will: Others propose that human beings cannot fully understand God's ways or His reasons for allowing certain events.
What skeptics say: Skeptics argue that the existence of profound and pervasive evil is incompatible with an all-powerful, all-knowing, and wholly good deity. They see the problem of evil as a significant philosophical challenge to theism, suggesting either God does not exist or is not benevolent or omnipotent as traditionally claimed.
Between the lines: The question touches deep existential fears and the human quest for meaning in suffering. It is not only a theological issue but also a deeply personal one, where abstract answers can sometimes fail to satisfy the emotional and spiritual turmoil experienced during actual suffering.
Zoom out: This discussion is foundational in theodicy, the part of theology concerned with defending the attributes of God despite the existence of evil. Different Christian denominations and theologians may emphasize different aspects of this issue, reflecting a broad spectrum of beliefs and interpretations within Christianity.
The bottom line: While theological explanations vary, the overarching Christian belief is that God is neither indifferent to evil nor inactive. Rather, He is involved in complex ways that might be fully understood only within the fullness of time or from an eternal perspective, integrating free will, human responsibility, and divine sovereignty.
Follow Up Questions
How do the various theological views on God's sovereignty and human free will interact with the realities of moral and natural evil in the world? (Coming Soon)
What are the implications of the 'free will defense' for the problem of evil, especially in light of persistent and significant atrocities? (Coming Soon)
How do Christians reconcile the notion of a benevolent and omnipotent God with the existence of suffering and evil? (Coming Soon)
What examples from Scripture do Christians often cite to explain or justify God's presence or actions during times of evil? (Coming Soon)
How does the concept of eschatological hope influence Christian responses to suffering and evil in the present? (Coming Soon)
Can the soul-making theodicy adequately address the scale and intensity of suffering experienced in the world? (Coming Soon)
How do different Christian denominations interpret the role of God in the face of human suffering and natural disasters? (Coming Soon)
What are some of the most challenging philosophical critiques of Christian theodicies, and how do theologians respond to them? (Coming Soon)
How does the mystery of divine will and God's inscrutable nature play into the discussions of theodicy among Christians? (Coming Soon)
In practical terms, how are believers encouraged to trust in God's goodness and plan, despite witnessing or experiencing great evil? (Coming Soon)
Justin Bailey – Creator of ChristianAnswers.ai
All answers are curated and manually reviewed prior to being posted. Multiple language models are used to assist with verification.