Assignment
The Problem of Evil and Suffering
Completion requirements
In his introduction to this module, Dr. Bounds addressed one of the most serious questions of theology. If God is all-powerful, he can stop evil and suffering at any time. If God is all-good, you would think he would want to stop evil and suffering or, better yet, prevent it from ever happening. Yet, evil and suffering is real.
Dr. Bounds alluded to perhaps the most significant Christian answer to this question. God has created a world in which we can either choose the good or choose that which is not good. In the beginning, Satan and Adam/Eve had a free choice. Because of their bad choices, our ability to choose good is less clear, but many Christians believe that God will empower us to choose the good if we will respond to his reaching out to us (a concept known as “prevenient grace”). On the other hand, there are other traditions where God only chooses some to be saved and no one has any choice about it one way or another.
Process these questions, doing a little additional research. Do you find this “free will” approach to evil convincing? Why or why not?
Write up your reflections and upload them to the course. They should be 450-600 words This assignment is worth 40 points.