I was recently in online conversation with someone in the process of losing their faith. How would you have answered the questions he raised?
How would you answer these questions from someone losing their faith? : cruciformity
It looks to me like the question he has is "If God is good and just, why is there so much evil and suffering in the world?"
I think the answer is 3-fold:
1. By reason of comparison. How would we know how good God is unless there was evil to compare it to? Further, we must experience such evil in order to get the full measure of knowledge. In fact, it is in the times of the worst calamities that love shines the most. And it is in comparison to the ultimate justice (lake of fire judgment) that mercy is glorified in the eyes of those who receive it. And it is in comparison to the agony of hopeless corruption that the grace of God is exemplified to those who receive it. Eph. 1:12 implies we all praise His glory, and the glory of His grace, in the life we live.
2. By reason of Christ's virtue. How can the overcoming nature of Christ be displayed unless there was sin and death to overcome? And particularly the reason for tribulations, whether it is natural evil or moral evil, as the development of a virtuous character requires faith, perseverance, and integrity among other actions. 2 Pet. 1:3-11. Christ, of course, shows the ultimate virtue in the act of sacrificing Himself for the redemption of others. One could say it is also by reason of redemption.
3. By reason of faith. If there was no suffering, death, tribulation, and temptation, how could anyone exercise faith in God? 1 Pet. 1:6-7. Faith is foundational to our relationship with Him, and is a big part of how we glorify Him.
Therefore, in order to fulfill the purposes of God to display in man, the crown of His creation, it is necessary for evil, suffering, death, injustice, and sin to exist. Rom. 8 states that the whole creation "groans like a woman in childbirth" for "the revealing of God's sons." And such is revealed in the worst of circumstances, just as love shines its greatest in the worst of conditions.
A prime example is when Jesus said:
(Mat. 5:44-45) "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
Therefore, the conclusion we must draw IMO is that for God's purpose to reveal the nature of His love, mercy, grace, and kindness, the world we live in is the best possible world that could exist. This is my SHORT answer.
This answer, of course can only be accepted by someone who has some faith in the goodness of God. It will never be accepted by an atheist or a cynical person who believes the worst of God, or uses the problem of evil to justify his unbelief.
TD