Why does suffering persist if God is all-powerful and all-good? Christian theism locates divine power within the bounds of logical consistency; God’s omnipotence does not imply arbitrariness but reflects a rational nature that forbids logical contradiction.
God’s Rational Consistency
Scripture portrays God as omnipotent, omnibenevolent, perfectly logical and consistent; his power operates within the bounds of logical coherence rather than random will—this is not limitation but a reflection of his character .
The Gift and Cost of Free Will
Voluntary love and genuine worship require real choice; without free will adoration becomes mere programming. True freedom entails the potential for choosing against God—hence the logical necessity of evil as a byproduct of free agents .
Eden’s Framework of Generosity
In Eden God provided countless good choices and a single prohibition; that setup demonstrates divine generosity, clarity of moral landscape, and his desire for voluntary love—not coercion .
The Fall and Cosmic Corruption
When Adam and Eve exercised their free will in disobedience sin entered the world; their rebellion corrupted human nature and the created order—explaining moral and natural evil alike .
The Mystery of Specific Suffering
While the framework explains why evil exists generally, individual instances of suffering remain mysterious; our limited perspective cannot grasp every divine allowance—faith embraces the tension between big-picture coherence and particular pain .
Redemption and Ultimate Victory
God’s plan does not end with the problem of evil; in Christ he entered human suffering to defeat evil without violating free will. The cross reveals divine love and secures a future where suffering is no more .
Conclusion
Suffering is not outside God’s control nor contrary to his purpose; it is a temporary reality in a grand narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Trust in his higher wisdom; join in his redemptive work; await the day when all things are made new .