The Problem of Evil

Abstract

For theologians charged with making sense of monotheist doctrine, “evil” has always been problematic. If God is the creator of all that exists and at the same time perfectly good, why does evil exist in the world at all, let alone personified as demonic beings that can challenge even God? If the animal body is the site of sin, why was the body created? Why not soul creatures free of bodily urges? If the taint is not in the body but in human will, why is man, God’s creature created in his image, so imperfect? And why do men on occasion murder and rape innocent victims? Can God like to see people suffer? Does he test them? Does he torment them simply to see how long they can hold on to their faith before they turn and curse their maker? Is God’s power simply limited? Did God, as Leibnitz argued, create the best of all worlds that it was possible for him to create?

When those pregnant with unborn conceptions come near what is beautiful they are gracious and happy, over-flowing with begetting and creating, but when they come near to what is ugly, angry and tense, rejected and wound tight, they give forth nothing, but go bearing the heavy burden of unborn offspring.

—Symposium 206d3–9