Suffering,
Evil &
free Will

Introduction

The problem of evil (or argument from evil) is the problem of reconciling the existence of the evil in the world with the existence of an omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful) and perfectly good God. 

The argument from evil is the atheistic argument that the existence of such evil cannot be reconciled with, and so disproves, the existence of such a God. Christianity claims both that God created the world and that he sustains it. Christianity claims that God knows all things and is capable of all feats. Christianity claims that God is perfectly good, and wants only the best for his Creation. If each of these claims is true, though, then it is difficult to see why God allows the evil in the world to persist. The evil in the world thus appears to be at least strong.

What this bank of information will achieve is looking at the logical problem of evil, are God and evil both existing impossible? 

The probable version of evil, is it probable that God does not exist because of evil? 

The emotional problem of evil, Where is God in my suffering? 

Upon those three bases, there are other territories such as natural evil, looking more into moral evil, the teachings of the old testament and how free-will in essence is central to a loving God. 

Do watch the introductory videos (I know there’s quite a few) But they will help, I believe, to establish an introductory understanding on the topic.

Introductory Videos

Essential Books

A great introductory book on apologetics and recommended for beginners. This book introduces you to understanding and working your way through the problem of evil logically. This book also comes with a study guide

Level: Beginner

Clay Jones’ marvel on the problem of evil is recommended to any Christian looking essentially at the questions we really want to understand like why do we suffer for what Adam did? Why not another way? What about eternal punishment? Won’t heaven be boring? And more. 

Level: Beginner 

A brilliant book on problems to do with moral evil in the world and this one in particular focus’ on the Old Testament difficult passages that many of us find hard to square. 

Level: Beginner

This book focuses particularly on the Canaanite incidents in the Old Testament. This will get into genocide, differences between murder and killing and all forms of hot topic ethical issues around this.

Level: Beginner

Plantinga’s masterpiece tackles the topics of evil, human freedom and arguments for God’s existence and weaves them all together into a large piece. This argument from Plantinga was revolutionary for its time and today. It has changed the face of scholarship toward the problem of evil.

Level: Intermediate

A level up and is very much aimed at scholars and serious students of natural theology. If you want to get into the serious arguments defending Christianity, this is the place to look, but be prepared for a complex read, even if you’re quite familiar on the problem of evil.

Level: Advanced 

Video Lessons

Clay Jones Biola University lecture series on some essential topics in-depth.

Play Video

Uni lecture series

Clay Jones has a series of lectures from Biola University on the problem of evil here.

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Play Video

Training talk

William Lane Craig gives a thorough philosophical rebuttal to the problem of evil.

More...

How Are We Responsible for Adam & Eve’s Mistakes?

Why Bad Things Happen to Good People

Why Doesn’t God Stop Evil?

Why Doesn’t God Reveal the Reasons For Permitting Evil and Suffering?

Did God Invent Evil?

Did God Command Genocide In the Bible?

Is God the Best Explanation for the Problem of Evil?

Can Good Come From Suffering and Evil?

If a Christian Suffered from a Mental Disease (or Damage), Would He Still be a Christian?

Do Pain and Suffering Disprove God’s Existence?

What About Evil and Multiverses in Context of the Ontological Argument?

Could God Be Evil?

Did God Create Sin and Evil? | William Lane Craig

What Is the Difference Between ISIS and the Invasion of Canaan?

With all this suffering, how could there be a God? Tim Keller at Veritas

The Burden of Proof on Atheists concerning Evil, Suffering, and God