The Problem of Evil - Part 2
This is the second post in a series examining the problem of evil and how a Christian might approach this challenge. In my last post, I introduced the problem and in this post I will suggest a general way to think about the issue.
William Lane Craig, in his book Hard Questions, Real Answers presents the following organizational approach to this problem: First, differentiate between the intellecutal and the emotional problem of evil. Then, divide the intellectual problem into an external version and an internal version. Lastly, differentiate the internal version of the problem of evil into a logical version and a probabalistic version.
The first distinction which should be made in addressing the problem of evil is between the intellectual problem and the emotional problem. It is the intellectual problem which is tackled by philosophers and theologians by attempting to give a rational explanation for the coexistence of God and evil. On the other hand, the emotional problem is addressed by pastors and counselors as they comfort and care for the person who is in the midst of suffering. Those who are suffering rarely need nor desire a philosophical argument explaining how the intellectual problem is to be solved.
A further distinction can be made when dealing with the intellectual problem of evil between the internal problem of evil and the external problem of evil. The internal problem focuses on premises which are thought to be consistent with the Christian worldview and thus deals with whether the Christian worldview holds to inconsistent beliefs. The external problem questions whether the Christian worldview is adequate and concerns premises to which the Christian would not necessarily be committed.
Lastly, one can further break down the internal problem of evil to a logical version and a probabilistic version. The logical problem deals with the objection that it is logically impossible for both God and evil to exist. Some have argued that it is logically incompatible that they do so. Unlike some religions, the Christian worldview does not deny the existence of evil. Of course, Christians are also strongly committed to the existence of an omnipotent, omnibenevolent God. The logical problem claims that it is illogical to believe that both exist. The probabilistic version does not argue for the logical incompatibility of the two premises, only that it is highly improbable that God and evil coexist in the world. The existence of either God or evil would make it highly improbable that the other exists.
Next, a look at the logical problem of evil.