“Theism and Natural Evil: A Necessary Condition for Life or A Curse”

Abstract

An honest contemplation of creation may lead to profuse praise to God for the good in nature. But the evils in nature pose questions against God. How can a good, just, and loving God allow suffering? For some, the ambiguity in nature cast doubt on God’s existence. For centuries, Christianity has sought to respond to the questions of the coexistence of a good and loving God and evils in nature. Classical theism and some modern approaches have been discussed and accessed as raising more questions than they seem to resolve and deepen the doubt in the existence of God. However, this paper has suggested that the classical theism approach to natural evil teaches that natural evil is the consequence of human free will choices. When recast in the context of the biblical concept of divine-human covenant relationship, many of the questions dissipate.