Suffering, Evil and the Existence of God

There is no evidence that God does not exist. Furthermore, Atheism is not provable since you can’t prove a universal negative, such as, “God does not exist.” Atheism can’t even be tested scientifically! Not only is the atheist’s claim that God does not exist not right, it isn’t even wrong since it can’t even be tested! (keen logic courtesy of John W. Montgomery) The atheist has placed himself in the untenable position of trying to demonstrate something that can’t be proved. Because of this disastrous scenario, the atheist is forever trying to shift the burden of proof to the Christian theist to show that God most probably exists. Fortunately for the Christian theist, he comes extremely well armed to the truth battle for theism and the existence of God. God did not have to provide the abundance of evidence we have for His existence, but we certainly have it in spades! Some of the strongest and best known arguments here follow:

Christian apologists have at least six good arguments that God exists; (These arguments will be reviewed in brief). Firstly, we would like to know why it is that anything exists at all! (see G.W. Leibniz; William Lane Craig, The Kalam Cosmological Argument (1979).

1. The Cosmological Argument from the universe had a beginning, and therefore, a Creative Beginner; William Lane Craig’s discussion of “The Kalam” is the highest and best source for addressing this most critical question. (see Dr. Craig’s books Reasonable Faith (1984) and On Guard (2010).

2. The Teleological or Design Argument states that this elegant ordered universe looks like a “setup job.” (see Stephen Meyer’s The Return of the God Hypothesis – 2021),

3. Anthropic Fine-tuning of the Universe argues for theism by demonstrating that extremely precise values of certain physical constants must be present (particularly at the universe’s formation) for life in our universe to exist. (Even the most ardent atheists consider this argument “highly compelling.”)

4. The Moral Argument, “Can you be good without God?” (reasonablefaith.org) By making a moral argument to disprove God, you are proving the existence of God since He is the standard for goodness and morality. C.S. Lewis cogently asks “Where are you getting your ideas of right and wrong?” (see J.P. Moreland Scaling the Secular City (1987).

5. Anselm’s Ontological Argument from reason and logic stressing the necessity of the existence of a maximally great being: God – aka,”Max” (see the work of William Lane Craig and Francis Beckwith)

6. The Argument from Evil and Suffering (here covered) is a subjective feelings argument appealing to God’s other “human pets” who resent a Creator’s design filled with any semblance of suffering that would serve to refine human character and make the “comfy” individual suitable for heaven. (“If you can’t say ‘Amen’… you’d better say ‘Ouch!” Voddie Baucham)
The Argument from Evil and Suffering is traditionally considered one of the strongest arguments for the non-existence of God; ultimately, however, it serves to demonstrate the existence of God! (Consider the inspiring Story of Job!)

BUT WAIT…Now there are 7 great arguments for the existence of God to include JustBelief’s argument from “The Testimony of the Demons” (upcoming book from the producer of JustBelief.org)

There also exists an Argument from Observation in the Bible. This has been a “stand-by” for centuries, even for skeptics such as David Hume! (JustBelief does not consider this a very strong argument and is hardly “a convincer;” unless one can first demonstrate the veracity of the Bible; which any able apologist can accomplish with ease. (see Norman Geisler’s 12 Points Show Christianity True) “Look around you, the heavens declare His glory,” to the point that “we are without excuse” not recognizing the case for a Creator God. PS 19 & Rm.1 (Insert, “Hold it! Get your own dirt.” story from God. – Pkr’s tombstone”)

We are truly fortunate that God has provided arguments grounded on an abundance of good evidence from which we can apply sound logic. God is the author of the laws of logic, just as He is the author of the physical laws of our universe. *An Irish “Thanks be” to St. Anselm’s “Max;” & Bach’s Soli Deo Gloria. He is truly the “God of the Breadcrumbs,” since he shows us the path to warranted knowledge based on reliable evidence by which we can determine His existence. (commentary – JB)

Atheist burden of proof – Atheists argue that suffering is evil and that an omnipotent and wholly good God would not create a world where evil and suffering are so prevalent. Is it possible that a world with suffering is better than a world with no suffering? It is plausible that God and suffering are logically consistent? Can the atheist show that God cannot have, or does not have a good reason for permitting the suffering in the world? God may have designed this world with the optimum level of suffering. In the case of Job, God used the fires of suffering to refine Job and to bring him into a closer relationship with God. An intimate relationship with God is without question an incomparable good! (think Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David) *Typical of the late Ronald Nash (my favorite thinker!), he provides brilliant commentary on the question of evil and suffering in his book, Worldviews in Conflict. (1992)

Is God’s existence probable relative to the full scope of evidence?
The intellectual problem of suffering comes in two versions. The Logical version tries to show that the co-existence of God and suffering is logically impossible. The atheist would like to believe that the existence of evil is logically incompatible with God’s existence. This hypothetical position has been unable to garner any real support since it is unsupportable and speculative at best. If God might have a good reason to allow evil, then it is possible that both God and evil can exist. *This means that there is no logical contradiction between God’s existence and the existence of evil.

The Probability or Evidential version tries to show that the co-existence of God and suffering is merely improbable and has met with more sustained success. The Evidential argument from evil is more compelling since it is not so unyielding and is more probabilistic. The atheist claims that because we cannot prove that there is good reason to allow the evil found in the world, this is proof that God does not exist. But why should we believe that this is true? We are not God and can’t possibly fathom all the possibilities and considerations of Creator God. It is possible that God has good reasons for the amount of suffering in the world. (IS 55:8-11) God’s plan may actually produce an optimal outcome where the greatest number of people can spend eternity in God’s kingdom. It would appear then that evil does not contradict God’s existence; nor is it strong evidence against the existence of God. *The evil in the world does not make it unreasonable to believe that an all-powerful and all-loving God exists.

Dr. Craig makes the case that an incomplete “Sliding Doors” (1998) sort of background information limits our full scope of evidence, especially since we can never know the outcome of a “counter-factual.” Together with the aforementioned six, Now, thanks to the efforts of Satan, 7 (JB), reasons for God’s existence, it becomes even more likely that a theistic God exists. The Moral argument, in particular, devastates the atheist’s contention that God does not exist. The Moral argument: 1.) If God does not exist, objective moral values do not exist, 2.) Evil exists, 3.) Therefore, objective moral values exist; and therefore, God exists. Also, when the atheist asserts that evil and suffering are bad, he is making a moral judgment that needs God! The God that the atheist does not “believe” exists is the source of his moral value judgments. see Frank Turek’s Stealing from God (2014)

A great debt is owed to Apologist and Philosopher par excellence William Lane Craig for producing the “Doctrines that Increase the Probability of the Co-existence of God and Suffering” 1. “The chief purpose of life is not happiness, but the knowledge of God; 2. Mankind is in a state of rebellion against God and His purpose; 3. God’s purpose is not restricted to this life but spills over beyond the grave into eternal life; 4. The knowledge of God is an incommensurable good.”

Most of us seem overly concerned with our affairs in this world. We naturally behave as hedonistic pleasure seeking, pain avoiding entities. We tend to be short term thinkers who seem to forget that God’s purpose goes beyond this life into our eternity with God in heaven. We were created for an intimate and permanent relationship with God. We were not created for an eternity in Hell with Satan’s fallen angels. Mt.7:14 “We are actually spiritual entities having a very temporary human experience in this world.” (anonymous) God created us as free will individuals with freedom of choice. That freedom includes our choice to accept or reject Jesus Christ as our Savior. (Here, insert a discussion of C.S. Lewis’ God’s “free will” design and a discussion of Molinism if time permits)
The Apostle Paul called his suffering in this life, “a small momentary affliction” in comparison to our eternity with God in heaven, or without God in hell. 2COR 4:17

The knowledge of God is definitely an incommensurable good relative to our earthly suffering. Our Bible is the best source for acquiring that knowledge of God. According to the Apostle Paul, Our Bible is “God breathed.” (2Tim3:16) The Bible itself says 2,700 times that it is divinely inspired. Jesus assumed the truth of Holy Scripture when He claimed that it was eternal and inerrantand given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (Gary Habermas, Jan. 2002)God has given us an inspired Bible so that we may know God more fully. It is only by knowledge of God that we can truly love Him and enjoy an intimate relationship with Him. A personal relationship, and obedience, is what God desires most. (Bear in mind that it is impossible to love someone you do not know!)
We should never forget that a sinless Christ bore a suffering beyond all understanding for our sins. Though he was innocent, He voluntarily underwent excruciating suffering for us and for our salvation; as well as separation from His heavenly Father.

“God is the only solution to the problem of suffering. If God does not exist, then we are without hope in a world filled with pointless and unredeemed suffering.” William Lane Craig, On Guard (2010).

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance – character; and character – hope. (Romans 5:3-4)