Evil and suffering

The problem of evil and suffering is one of the most significant challenges to religious belief, particularly within Christianity. It questions how an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient God can allow evil and suffering to exist. This topic is central to the AQA A-Level Religious Studies course, as it examines the coherence of theism and the adequacy of theodicies. Students explore both moral evil (caused by human free will) and natural evil (caused by natural processes), and evaluate responses from philosophers and theologians such as Augustine, Irenaeus, and John Hick.

Understanding this topic is crucial because it forces students to engage with deep philosophical and theological debates that have real-world implications. It also develops critical thinking skills, as students must assess arguments for and against the existence of God in light of evil. The topic connects to broader themes in the philosophy of religion, such as the nature of God, free will, and life after death. Mastery of this area is essential for achieving high marks in the A-Level exam, as it frequently appears in essay questions.

In the AQA specification, the problem of evil is studied under the philosophy of religion component. Students are expected to know the logical and evidential problem of evil, theodicies (Augustinian, Irenaean, and process theodicy), and the responses of scholars like Alvin Plantinga (free will defence) and Richard Swinburne (soul-making). The topic also requires evaluation of whether evil and suffering can be justified, and whether they undermine religious belief entirely.