Puzzled people have asked that question through the centuries. In the midst of tragedy they cry out, "I have tried to be good and do what's right. And now this happens!"

Evil and the pain it brings seem to make a good case against the kind of God we'd like to believe in. Christians say God is both good and all-powerful. But in light of so much suffering, can they be right?

Jon Tal Murphree addresses this question head-on. His answer deserves attention from both believers and skeptics.

Jon Tal Murphree, a popular evangelist and church speaker, is professor of evangelism at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. He holds an M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary and an M.A. in philosophy from the University of Kentucky. He is also the author of When God Says You're OK (IVP).