The Problem of Evil and Why it is Sensible to Trust in God

The problem of evil goes something like this:

(1) Evil exists.
(2) God - if He exists - is either unable or unwilling (or both) to eliminate evil.
(3) If God is unable to eliminate evil, He is not sovereign.
(4) If God is unwilling to eliminate evil, He is not good.
(5) Therefore, God - if He exists - is either not sovereign or not good (or both).

However, (1) need not necessarily lead to (2). Alternatively,

(1) Evil exists.
(2) Either God does or does not exist.
(3) If God does not exist, He is not responsible for evil (if there is such a thing as evil in the first place if God does not exist).
(4) If God exists, He is sovereign and good.
(5) If God exists, He is both able and willing to eliminate evil.
(6) If God exists and evil exists, He has good reason(s) for not eliminating evil yet.
(7) Therefore, the existence of evil does not disprove the existence of a sovereign and good God. In fact, the existence of evil proves the existence of a sovereign and good God.

In particular,

(1) Evil exists.
(2) The opposite of evil exists.
(3) Good exists.
(4) The supreme good exists.
(5) Therefore, a sovereign and good God exists.

Why it is Sensible to Trust in God

(1) God is sovereign and good.
(2) If God is sovereign, He is able to eliminate evil.
(3) If God is good, He is willing to eliminate evil.
(4) Therefore, God is both able and willing to eliminate evil - even though He has not eliminated evil yet.
(5) Therefore, God will eliminate evil one day.

[This is the exact reverse of the problem of evil.

(5) Evil exists.
(4) God - if He exists - is either unable or unwilling (or both) to eliminate evil.
(3) If God is unable to eliminate evil, He is not sovereign.
(2) If God is unwilling to eliminate evil, He is not good.
(1) Therefore, God - if He exists - is either not sovereign or not good (or both).]

Of course, the question is why God does not eliminate evil yet. But that's another story.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)