This title explores challenges to religious belief raised by evil and suffering in the world as well as responses to them from both theistic and non-theistic perspectives. One of the most perplexing problems facing believers in God is the problem of evil. The words of Epicurus put the point concisely: 'Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, he is wicked. If God can abolish evil, and God really wants to do it, why is there evil in the world'? This is a difficult problem to unpick and it remains an issue that continues to concern people and inspire debate. The problem has taken a variety of forms over the centuries; in fact, there are numerous 'problems' of evil - problems for theists but, perhaps surprisingly, problems for non-theists as well. "Evil: A Guide for the Perplexed" explores, in a rigorous but engaging way, central challenges to religious belief raised by evil and suffering in the world as well as significant responses to them from both theistic and non-theistic perspectives. "Continuum's Guides for the Perplexed" are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to grasp, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material.

Author Biography

Chad Meister is Director of the Philosophy Program and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Bethel College, Indiana, USA. His published and forthcoming publications include: Introducing Philosophy of Religion (Routledge), Christian Thought: An Introduction (co-authored with James Stump; Routledge), Philosophy of Religion: Classic and Contemporary Issues (co-edited with Paul Copan; Wiley-Blackwell), The Oxford Handbook of Religious Diversity (editor; OUP), The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Religion (co-edited with Paul Copan; Routledge), The Cambridge Companion to Christian Philosophical Theology (co-edited with Charles Taliaferro; CUP)