Many view pain and suffering as the largest faith challenge that exists.
For how can God be good if he allows such evil and hurt.
Skeptics posit these three hurdles that are viewed as impossible to overcome.
1. God is all-powerful.
2. God is all-loving.
3. Evil is a reality.
Are these actually impossible? Or is a lot being assumed?
I mean, is it really so obvious?
And why only 3 qualifications?
Is it still so axiomatic when we add a few more beliefs that Ravi Zacharias suggests?
1. God is all-powerful.
2. God is all-loving.
3. God is all wise.
4. God is eternal.
5. Evil is a reality – in time.
There is a lot of the why to be pondered on this topic.
The question of pain and suffering provides the greatest challenge to belief in God. In a discussion between scholars the issue of a world torn by suffering is often described as an insoluble trilemma…The argument by skeptics is positioned by first posing three basic claims that are adhered to by a Christian and then showing these claims to be irreconcilable. At least, they insist, these claims as they define them must be held by a Christian: God is all-powerful: He can do anything He wills. God is all-loving: He cares with an intense value for His creation. Evil is a reality: Suffering is an all-pervading part of this world.
-Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale, Why Suffering?