A Refutation of the Problem of Evil

Abstract: The most prominent objection to the existence of God is made from evil. Although the logical problem of evil is a failure, the evidential problem of evil remains to be a serious problem for theists. Many questions can be posed to God about evil. Why does cancer exist? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does evil exist at all? In this paper, I will argue the problem of evil poses little to no issue for theists. The literature in response to this problem is very vast, so I cannot cover every theodicy I find plausible. I will address the problem of evil in a few ways in so far as I see a prima facie refutation. I pray this paper is insightful and promotes further inquiry into this problem.

An Introduction to the Problem(s) of Evil

Children have cancer, fawns suffer in the forest, innocent people are murdered, children are abused, and earthquakes kill thousands. One could list off many more examples, but I think the point is clear. Evil exists. This is the biggest obstacle or defeat to belief in God for most people. Thus, the central question is how to reconcile such evils with the existence of God.

The problem of evil is a classic philosophical problem that seeks to reconcile the existence of evil with the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent God. It raises fundamental questions about the nature of God, the nature of evil, and the compatibility of these two concepts. There are two main versions of the problem of evil: the logical problem of evil and the evidential problem of evil.