Hamartiology: The Problem of Evil (Theodicy)

The idea that there exists a loving, powerful, wise, and eternal God in the midst of a
world containing evil and suffering is an important theological issue. Many modern thinkers
reason out that such theological proposition is inherently illogical, unreasonable, and
inconsistent. It is, therefore, necessary for a theist particularly the Christian to gain firm
understanding on the problem of evil, and to have a consistent fundamental structure of theodicy
he/she will hold on to. Based on Scriptural texts and its underlying principles, men are
responsible for evil and suffering, while God remains sovereign, loving, and righteous.
The problem of evil revolves in the thought that if a loving, perfect, and sovereign God
should exist, then evil and suffering should not exist in this world. A common opposition to
theism is that the existence of both God and evil is internally self-contradictory and should be
rejected.1 Others sacrifice some attributes of God in order to accept some rationality in this
theistic thought. They argue that if God is good, yet does not prevent evil, then He must not be
altogether powerful.2 If God is indeed what He claims to be, they argue, then He should have
made a world wherein man commits no wrong and that evil is absolutely evitable.
There are two categories for evil: the moral evil and the natural evil. While moral evils
are the consequences of the activities of moral agents, natural evil occurs through the functioning
of the nature.3 One example of moral evil is sexual harassment, wherein the persons suffering

1. J.S. Feinberg, Evil, the Problem of, in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed.
Walter A. Elwell, 2nd Ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011), 413.
2. J.H. Gerstner, Evil, in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell, 2nd
Ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011), 412-413.
3. Ibid., 414.
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resulted from the immoral conduct of the other. For the natural evil, examples include the loss of
properties due to calamities and natural catastrophes beyond human control.
Certain forms of theodicy are used to explain and solve the problem of evil. Gottfried
Leibnizs theodicy holds on to Gods reasonable operation in His creation. Leibniz uses this to
support his argument that a world with both good and evil is reasonably better than a world with
only good.4 In a metaphysical sense, God created the best possible world. Now, while this view
supports the principle that God reasonably permitted evil to persist (which is its merit), it
somehow blunts the doctrine of the justice of God (its perceivable fault). Besides, if God is
perfect, all-knowing, and just, then He could have formed other better alternatives to evil in
creating a metaphysically best possible world. Another form of theodicy is called the soulbinding principle. It suggests that the evil and suffering in this world is permitted by God for the
sake of calling mankind unto salvation and sanctifying His spiritual people into Christlikeness.
The Bible explains that God orchestrates everything including trials and afflictions for the
higher good of fulfilling His eternal purposes such as a believers sanctification.5 Since it shows
that God use evil to bring good, it causes no stain on Gods goodness and justice. However,
many consider this theodicy inconsistent with experience and reality arguing that evil in the
world often makes people shun away from God rather than bring them to faith and spiritual
growth.6 Nevertheless, here is where human responsibility comes, wherein God remains reaching
out to people, with the promise of blessings to those who come to faith but curse to those who do

4. J.S. Feinberg, Theodicy, in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter A.

Elwell, 2nd Ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011), 1185.
5. James 1:2-4
6. Feinberg, Theodicy, 1186.
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not, yet [most of] mankind is unwilling.7 Thus, when backed-up with the teaching on human
responsibility, the soul-binding theodicy brings no stain on Gods justice and sovereignty.
Another popular form of theodicy is the free-will defense. It argues that moral evil exists due to
mans erroneous use of human free will, not because of God.8 Scriptures and reality affirm that is
mans disobedience to God that ushered in moral, physical, and even social descent in this world.
The internal consistency of a theodicy is necessary to avoid any contradiction, criticism,
and even rejection. Given this, the free-will defense (which emphasized on human responsibility)
provides a good solution to the problem of evil, including the justification for Gods justice and
power in the existence of evil. First, God could never make man do just what is right, since that
will mean be no human freedom at all.9 Otherwise, God would have just created a world of
unconscious and mindless robots. Thus, the willful act to commit evil is of man, not God.
Second, the argument that God could have made evil avoidable in this world is illogical and
impossible, plainly because two incongruent realities cannot be permitted by God. For example,
when David had adultery with Bathsheba and murdered Uriah, the evil consequences (i.e. Death,
remorse, unwanted pregnancy, guilt, and punishment) cannot be possibly prevented by God.10
Evil and suffering in this life will definitely test a persons relationship with God.11
Nevertheless, proper understanding of theodicy can provide assurance and hope during times of
difficulties. Of course, some principles on theodicy (i.e. Attributes and works of God) can

7. Matthew 23:37; Isaiah 30:15

8. Feinberg, 1187.
9. Stephen Evans and Zachary Manis, Philosophy of Religion: Thinking about Faith
(Westmont, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 165.
10. 2 Samuel 11
11. Feinberg, 414.
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somehow be doubtful and due critical evaluation, or even be worthy of rejection. Nevertheless,
unless an idea or principle is not consistent with the Scriptures and reality, then a person should
not deny those principles lest it would mean a denial of God Himself.
To conclude, God remains good and just despite the existence of evil in this world. Evil
and suffering are simply the outcome of mans rebellion against the perfect creation and will of
God. Nevertheless, as part of Gods continual goodness and sovereignty, He extends the promise
of blessings, hope, peace, and assurance in the midst of this evil world by calling people to
faith in Him, and every person is responsible for accepting that call or refusing it.

Bibliography
Evans, Stephen and Zachary Manis. Philosophy of Religion: Thinking about Faith, Westmont,
IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009.
Feinberg, J.S. Evil, the Problem of. In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, edited by Walter
A. Elwell, 413-415. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011.
Feinberg, J.S. Theodicy. In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, edited Walter A. Elwell,
1184-1187. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011.
Gerstner, J.H. Evil. In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, edited by Walter A. Elwell, 412413. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011.
Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible (NASB), Edited by The Lockman Foundation.
California: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.