Argument against God's existence from unnecessary suffering

by Matt Slick

Argument against God's existence from unnecessary suffering

1. God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent
2. An omniscient being would know how to prevent unnecessary suffering
3. An omnipotent being would be able to prevent unnecessary suffering
4. An omnibenevolent being would desire to prevent unnecessary suffering
5. Unnecessary suffering occurs
6. From 2,3,4,5: Therefore an omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent being does not exist
7. From 1,6: Therefore god does not exist

Refutation

1. God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent
2. An omniscient being would know how to prevent unnecessary suffering
3. An omnipotent being would be able to prevent unnecessary suffering
4. An omnibenevolent being would desire to prevent unnecessary suffering
5. Unnecessary suffering occurs
   1. How can it be established that unnecessary suffering occurs?
   2. What criteria would anyone use to establish what is unnecessary suffering?
   3. God can certainly have reasons for allowing suffering to occur in the world:
      1. As a demonstration of the effects of sin in the world.
      2. As a demonstration of the effects of rebellion against him.
      3. As a means by which sin is shown to be bad.
      4. As a means by which people can learn to depend on him.
      5. etc.
   4. Simply stating that unnecessary suffering occurs does not mean that it is so.
   5. Christian theology states that suffering is a result of sin in the world.  This is the result of Adam's free choice and the effect of sin upon his descendents and the world.  All suffering is then the necessary consequence of this sin.
6. From 2,3,4,5: Therefore an omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent being does not exist
7. From 1,6: Therefore god does not exist