Case Quote by William Temple
“The problem of evil... Why does God permit it? Or, if God is omnipotent, in which case permission and creation are the same, why did God create it?”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical essay: The Problem of Evil, 1940
The quote questions why an all-powerful God would allow evil, and if omnipotence means creation and permission are identical, why evil exists.
In simple terms: Why does an all-powerful God allow evil?
Key Takeaway
Explore the limits of divine power and moral responsibility.
Themes
theodicy
divine power
evil
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- debates on faith
- ethical discussions
- personal belief systems
Key Concepts
philosophy
theology
existential inquiry
Questions to Reflect On
- Can evil exist without free will?
- What does omnipotence truly entail?
A Different Perspective
Answers may differ across traditions, leaving the issue unresolved.
![“Trouble, hardship, difficulty, pain, suffering, conflict, tragedy, evil - they're all part of the [Christian] Story. Indeed, the problem of evil is the reason there's any Story at all.” quote by Greg Koukl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e44/greg-koukl-12385_christian_trouble-hardship-difficulty-pain-sufferi_374860.jpg)
