How Can a Good God Allow So Much Evil and Suffering? Wrestling with the Toughest Question in Faith

For many parents—and for the next generation—one question stands above the rest as the #1 barrier to Christian belief: If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering in the world? This episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World dives bravely into that profound dilemma, equipping parents to address their children’s toughest doubts and their own deepest struggles.

Join host Catherine as she sits down with Dr. Douglas Groothuis, one of the most respected minds in Christian apologetics. Dr. Groothuis is Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University, and the author of over 20 books, including the acclaimed Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. Beyond his accolades, listeners will be moved by Dr. Groothuis’s personal journey through heartbreak and grief, offering a unique blend of intellectual rigor and heartfelt empathy.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• Why Every Worldview Faces the Problem of Evil
  Dr. Groothuis breaks down why not just Christianity, but every philosophy—atheism, pantheism, secularism—must wrestle with the existence of evil. Discover how Christianity uniquely anchors the concepts of good and evil.

• A Personal Journey Through Suffering
  In a moving account, Dr. Groothuis shares how the loss of his brilliant wife Rebecca to dementia challenged—and deepened—his faith, giving listeners a firsthand look at trusting God in the depths of pain 16:55.

• The “Greater Good” and Soul-Making
  Explore the idea that God can use pain, loss, and evil for a greater good—one we may not fully see from our limited vantage. As Dr. Groothuis says, “I can trust the God who I know for the things I can’t understand” 16:49.

• Lament: Biblical Permission to Grieve with God
  The conversation tackles the Biblical tradition of lament—bringing our confusion, anger, and sorrow honestly to God. Dr. Groothuis points to the Psalms and the disciples’ struggles, reminding us that doubt and pain are not signs of weak faith, but invitations to deeper trust 31:19.

• Answering Teens’ Toughest Questions
  From why God couldn’t create a world with free will and no evil, to whether evil actually exists, the episode tackles real questions from young people with honesty, logic, and compassion.

• Heaven: The True Hope for Suffering Believers
  Dr. Groothuis illuminates the ultimate Christian hope—a new heavens and new earth where suffering is redeemed, not forgotten, and God’s presence is our deepest joy 54:56.

Notable Moments & Quotes:

• “I can trust the God who I know is there for the things that I can’t understand.” — Dr. Groothuis

• “Every worldview has a problem with evil—it’s not just Christianity.” — Dr. Groothuis

• “Jesus is the only one who has the words of life.” — Catherine 01:02:51

• “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain.” — CS Lewis, quoted by Catherine 44:37

• “Where else are we going to go? Nothing else will satisfy.” — Catherine reflecting on Peter’s words 35:06

Why This Matters:
For Christian parents, the challenge of suffering is not just an abstract question—it strikes at the heart of faith formation in our families. This episode arms parents with both deeply reasoned answers and encouragement to walk alongside their children in seasons of doubt, suffering, or loss.

Modern Application:
No home is untouched by suffering. Parents, are you equipped to guide your children through questions about God’s goodness in a hurting world? Can your family find meaning in pain, and hold onto hope in hardship?

About the Guest:
Dr. Douglas Groothuis is Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University and the author of over 20 books, including Christian Apologetics and Walking Through Twilight: A Wife's Illness—A Philosopher’s Lament. His insights come not only from scholarly study, but from a heart acquainted with sorrow and a faith refined by fire.

EPISODE LINKS:

• Dr. Groothuis' Website

• Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith

• Walking Through Twilight: A Wife's Illness—A Philosopher’s Lament

• Truth Tribe Podcast with Dr. Groothuis

• Emerging Gen Z May Deliver Huge Blow to Religion in U.S. (Baptist News Global, 6/8/18)

Thought-Provoking Question:
How is your family responding to the painful “why” questions of life? Are you willing to walk with your children into the hard places—and point them toward the only One who holds the words of life?

Tune in for an episode that will challenge, comfort, and equip you to lead your family with courageous faith—even when the answers aren’t easy.