The Problems with the Problem of Evil Argument

Hawkins, Kevin

12/5/12

The Problems with the Problem of Evil

The purpose of this essay will be to evaluate the argument against the existence of God based on the evidences provided in the atheistic standpoint of the problem of evil in the world. This is a very common argument and is in no way unique to those who firmly believe that there is no God. I have met many people in and out of Christianity and other faiths who have expressed similar concerns as those that are presented in this argument. I think it is safe to say that each of us at one point or another has felt to ask, “Why me?” or, “Why him?”. It is hard to look at all of the horrible acts committed against humanity, especially the innocent, and not ask why a loving Heavenly Father would permit such things to occur on His watch. The arguments that follow are an attempt to set at ease the mind of the skeptic, whatever his ultimate belief may be about the existence of God.

The argument for the problem of evil purports that believing in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-good being who permits evil to exist amongst us is illogical and irrational. It states that if there was someone or something that could do something to stop all of this evil and is not doing so, it is not a being we should be placing our faith upon. A lot of times, this question of the problem of evil does not even become an issue in our individual lives until we ourselves experience extreme hardship or loss. It is then that we begin asking the kind of accusatory questions that have lead to the problem of evil argument. But why was it not important to us before that point? First I think it is important to take a closer look at the argument itself and see if there are any inconsistencies or falsities.

The argument goes as follow, assuming that there is a God. 1) He is all-knowing. 2) He is all-powerful. 3) He is perfectly good. 4) Evil exists in the world. 5) If God exists, and is a being who is good, all-knowing,...