Reconciling Divine Goodness and the Reality of Evil: A Historical, Philosophical, and Christian Theological Analysis

Abstract

This paper examines the enduring philosophical and theological problem of evil by tracing its historical development, analyzing classical formulations from thinkers such as David Hume and J. L. Mackie, and evaluating the logical challenges their arguments present to belief in an all-powerful and all-good God. Drawing from biblical theology, historical philosophy, and contemporary Christian thought, the paper demonstrates that the traditional argument from evil rests on flawed assumptions about the nature of God, human free will, and the metaphysical status of evil itself. By presenting a Christian theodicy rooted in divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the redemptive work of Christ, this study argues that the existence of evil does not negate God’s existence but instead reinforces the coherence of a worldview in which evil is understood as a privation of the good rather than a substantive force. The paper concludes by showing how a biblically grounded understanding of God’s character and the origin of evil offers a robust and meaningful response to one of humanity’s most profound existential questions.