If God is Good, Why is There Pain and Suffering? | Sean McDowell & Paul Rinzler at Cal Poly

Sean McDowell (Biola) and Paul Rinzler (Cal Poly) explore suffering, evil, and the existence of God. | California Polytechnic State University, 04/27/2026 | Explore more at https://www.veritas.org. Speakers: Sean McDowell - Associate Professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University Paul Rinzler - Professor Emeritus at California Polytechnic State University Moderator: Brooklyn Perry - Undergraduate Student at California Polytechnic State University Want Veritas updates in your inbox? Subscribe to our twice-monthly newsletter here: https://www.veritas.org/newsletter-yt INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/veritasforum FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/veritasforum PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-veritas-forum/id1210782509 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=VeritasForum Over the past two decades, The Veritas Forum has been hosting vibrant discussions on life's hardest questions and engaging the world's leading colleges and universities with Christian perspectives and the relevance of Jesus. Learn more at http://www.veritas.org, with upcoming events and over 600 pieces of media on topics including science, philosophy, music, business, medicine, and more! 0:00 Introduction 8:54 Making Sense of Natural Suffering Without God 16:18 Personal Stories of Pain and Belief 22:15 Is Suffering Part of God's Plan? 23:21 Evil Gods, Bad Gods, and the Problem of Belief 26:22 Moral Evil, Free Will, and the Hope for Justice 30:20 Randomness, Natural Disasters, and Divine Purpose 37:19 Why Random Suffering Doesn't Require a Grand Mystery 43:00 Personal Suffering That Seems Cruel and Unjust 47:56 Where Do We Find Hope in Suffering? 54:28 Advice for Students Facing Pain and Hardship 59:28 Q&R - What Is the Purpose of Life for an Atheist 1:05:22 Q&R - Why Pursue Justice When Suffering Seems Endless? 1:08:43 Q&R - What Causes You to Doubt Your Own Worldview? 1:10:53 Q&R - Would a Fair God Condemn People to Eternal Damnation? 1:15:21 Q&R - Can Objective Morality Exist Without God? 1:20:40 Q&R - How Do You Define Love Without Suffering? 1:25:17 Closing Reflections