Suffering as Divine Grace: Kierkegaard's Confrontation with the Problem of Evil

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.A. Student, Department of Philosophy, University of Allameh Tabataba'i, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Allameh Tabataba'i, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

One of the important issues in the field of philosophy of religion is the problem of evil. The problem of evil deals with how, if we accept the existence of an omnipotent and purely good God, we can accumulate all the evil in the world despite this purely good God. This article attempts to present a faith-based and existentialist response to the problem of evil, taking into account the works and thoughts of Søren Kierkegaard. Emphasizing the originality of the individual, he considered religious life to be the only way to achieve it. In religious life, a person faces only with God and distances himself from society and its conventions, and is drawn into isolation and loneliness. This loneliness will bring him suffering, which is a sign of his becoming authentic. The person accepts this suffering with his faith, and this suffering becomes sweet to him. He considers a true believer someone who considers evil and suffering as necessary and is ready to accept it. The answer we can give to the problem of suffering, considering Kierkegaard's thoughts, is that a believer with a positive approach to suffering considers the challenges of life as divine grace for his development. Therefore, evil and suffering are not only not a defect in the pure goodness and omnipotence of God, but are also a gift and grace from God to the servant to actualize his abilities and guide him to authenticity.

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References

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Journal of Philosophical Investigations
Volume 19, Issue 52 - Serial Number 52
Articles
52 Autumn 2025
November 2025
Pages 607-630

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