PROBLEM OF EVIL

The problem of evil remains one of the most persistent philosophical challenges to theism. It raises the fundamental question of how an all-powerful, all-knowing, and wholly good God can coexist with the presence of evil and suffering in the world. This study examines the concept of theism and critically analyzes the logical and evidential forms of the problem of evil. It explores classical and contemporary responses offered by theists, including the free will defense, soul-making theodicy, and appeals to divine mystery. The work also distinguishes between moral evil, resulting from human actions, and natural evil, arising from natural events such as disasters and diseases. Through conceptual and analytical methods, the study evaluates whether the existence of evil necessarily undermines belief in God or whether it can be reconciled within a coherent theistic framework. The research concludes that while the problem of evil presents a significant intellectual challenge, various philosophical defenses provide plausible explanations that preserve the rationality of theistic belief.