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The [[problem of evil]] is a collection of philosophical arguments which claim that the existence of evil in the world contradicts the belief that there exists a God who is both wholly good and omnipotent. <ref>J. L. Mackie, "Evil and Omnipotence," Mind, New Series, Vol. 64, No. 254. (Apr., 1955), pp. 200-212. - [http://www.ditext.com/mackie/evil.html EVIL AND OMNIPOTENCE]</ref>  

The [[problem of evil]] is a collection of philosophical arguments which claim that the existence of evil in the world contradicts the belief that there exists a God who is both wholly good and omnipotent. <ref>J. L. Mackie, "Evil and Omnipotence," Mind, New Series, Vol. 64, No. 254. (Apr., 1955), pp. 200-212. - [http://www.ditext.com/mackie/evil.html EVIL AND OMNIPOTENCE]</ref>  

[[Image:Ron2.jpg|right|thumbnail|150px|Dr. [[Ron Rhodes]]]]

[[Image:Ron2.jpg|right|thumbnail|150px|Dr. [[Ron Rhodes]]]]

[[Theodicy]] is the branch of study in theology and philosophy that defends the goodness of God despite the existence of evil. In traditional Christianity and Judaism the book of [[Job]] is used to explain the existence of evil. In recent times [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] often cite [[Alvin Plantinga]]'s free will defense in regards to the logical problem of evil.<ref>Xenos Christian Fellowship - [http://www.xenos.org/essays/evilpo.htm The Problem of Evil]</ref><ref>Dr. Scott H. Moore - [http://www3.baylor.edu/~Scott_Moore/handouts/free_will_defense.html Comments on Alvin Plantinga's "Free Will Defense"]</ref> The work of [[St. Augustine]] is also cited in regards to theodicy.<ref>Stand to Reason - [http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5124 Augustine on Evil]</ref> Dr. [[Ron Rhodes]] of [[Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministry]] states regarding this issue regarding the existence of evil:  

[[Theodicy]] is the branch of study in theology and philosophy that defends the goodness of God despite the existence of evil. In traditional Christianity and Judaism the book of [[Job]] is used to explain the existence of evil. In recent times [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] often cite [[Alvin Plantinga]]'s free will defense in regards to the logical problem of evil.<ref>Xenos Christian Fellowship - [http://www.xenos.org/essays/evilpo.htm The Problem of Evil]</ref> The work of [[St. Augustine]] is also cited in regards to theodicy.<ref>Stand to Reason - [http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5124 Augustine on Evil]</ref> Dr. [[Ron Rhodes]] of [[Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministry]] states regarding this issue regarding the existence of evil:  

{{cquote|...it is impossible to distinguish evil from good unless one has an infinite reference point which is absolutely good. Otherwise one is like a boat at sea on a cloudy night without a compass (i.e., there would be no way to distinguish north from south without the absolute reference point of the compass needle).

{{cquote|...it is impossible to distinguish evil from good unless one has an infinite reference point which is absolutely good. Otherwise one is like a boat at sea on a cloudy night without a compass (i.e., there would be no way to distinguish north from south without the absolute reference point of the compass needle).

*[http://creation.com/atheism#problem-of-evil Atheism and the problem of evil] by [[Creation Ministries International]]

*[http://creation.com/atheism#problem-of-evil Atheism and the problem of evil] by [[Creation Ministries International]]

*[http://www.existence-of-god.com/problem-of-evil.html The problem of evil]

*[http://www.existence-of-god.com/problem-of-evil.html The problem of evil]