IS THE PROBLEM OF EVIL AND SUFFERING REALLY A PROBLEM?

Epicurus (341–270 BC), an ancient Greek philosopher, founded a school of philosophy called Epicureanism. In a quote beloved by atheists, he is alleged to have stated:

·       Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

I would simply like to examine one part of this quotation: “Is he able [to prevent suffering or evil], but not willing? Then he is malevolent.”

This statement is seriously flawed:

·       A doctor removes a cancer causing suffering, but no one would accuse him of being malevolent. Why then would anyone accuse God of being malevolent for allowing evil?

·       From a Christian perspective, we all have a “cancer,” which we call “sin” or “evil.” It is a malevolent God who would allow such a “cancer” to fester untreated. How does God treat this “cancer?” He enables us to learn the hard way through the things that we suffer.

·       We cannot derive the concepts of “evil” or “malevolence” without God. Without God, these concepts are merely human or cultural inventions, lacking any existence outside of our passing thoughts and whims. Therefore, to charge that God is evil is merely to say, “Today, I feel that God is evil, at least for my way of thinking.”

·       God has a plan to eventually eradicate evil and suffering. This is certainly favorable, at least for those who embrace this plan, to the atheistic hope of annihilation.