10) A Response to the Problem of Evil: Conclusion

One problem of evil has been solved: the logical problem.  That is, the idea that there is a logical contradiction between affirming evil’s existence and the existence of a perfect God has been laid to rest.  But that is not the only problem which evil presents; it also presents to us a distinct emotional problem, which is almost certainly more potent than its logical opposite.  Often times, it doesn’t matter how much one rationalizes that evil affirms the existence of God.  Evil, by its own nature, entices us to reject that fact, even if we can be convinced of its truth.  If we don’t want to believe that there is a God, we won’t.  And often times, evil makes the affirmation of God’s existence outright unacceptable.  That is the emotional problem of evil – it makes us want to reject God.

I regret to announce that I have no solution to such a problem.  Only the one suffering such a problem can solve it within himself.  Others can help, but they cannot solve it for him; they cannot make him want to accept God, despite the fact the evil points right to him.  If this is you – if you yourself suffer from such restlessness – a few words.  If you believe that God created the universe, you must believe that he had good reason for allowing evil.  Why so?  If he did not, then he could not be considered omnibenevolent, and so he would have fallen short of a standard of benevolence.  Why not simply call this standard “God”?  God must be perfect, and perfection must be God.  Who knows his reasons for allowing evil?  Perhaps it’s free will.  Perhaps it’s the development of character.  Perhaps it’s a boggling mixture of both and more.  The fact of the matter is that he has his reasons.  If he did not, then he wouldn’t be perfect.  And if he wasn’t perfect, then he wouldn’t be God.

It’s not a question of whether or not God thinks that evil is worth it.  It’s a question of whether or not you think that evil is worth it.  Well?  Do you?