NASARA JOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY

Man is faced with terrific misfortunes, frightening disasters and tormenting pains. We recently experienced the Covid19 pandemic that caused numerous deaths, crippled social ties, and created a socially and psychologically battered society. There are cases of floods, fire outbreaks, earthquakes and other natural disasters that sweep homes, degrade lives and create excruciating suffering. Cases of organ failures and terminal illnesses like cancer have increased even in our country, Nigeria.All the experiences of incomprehensible andinexplainable human pain engender doubts inthe hearts of believers and strengthen disbelief in the hearts of atheists (nonbelievers). This issue constitutes what we call 'the problem of evil'. The problem is that God cannot be benevolent, all-knowing and all-loving and yet evil continues to pervade the world. John Hick argues that human beings are created in the imperfect world to be perfected by experiences of pain and suffering. The aim of this paper is to respond to the depressing feeling of emptiness, meaninglessness and hopelessness occasioned by the presence of evil in the world. The aim is to offer meaning to our imperfect world and engender trust in divine order.The thesis of this paper is that the presence of evil in the world is not incompatible with the existence of God. Adoptingthe analytic approach, this paper looks at Hick's response to the problem of evil, relating himtothe teaching of Thomas Aquinas on God and evil.

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