Date
8-20-2026
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (MA)
Chair
John S Knox
Keywords
Natural Evil, Evil, Suffering, Benevolence, Redemption, Theism, Experientialism, Theodicy, Omnipotence, Moral Evil
Disciplines
Practical Theology | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Recommended Citation
Knapp, Cody J., "The Reconciliation of a Good God in an Evil World: Explaining the Co-Existence" (2026). Masters Theses. 1530.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/1530
Abstract
This thesis will not only exhibit the compatibility between a benevolent God and natural evil, but it will also portray the Christian doctrine as a powerful and sufficient response to the co-existence and its overall reduction to moral agency. This thesis will examine three types of natural evil. These three categories are disease and illness, natural disasters, and animal suffering. It is apparent that this world sees the evil that exists, and many tend to disagree with the idea that a benevolent God could exists while tragedy strikes. God loves His creation, and the existence of evil is not His blame to take. Human existence on earth is a gracious gift that is followed by a second gift known as free will.
Included in
Practical Theology Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
