We have been asking whether it was possible for there to be an all-loving, all-powerful God who allows terrible suffering. We considered the idea that this is the best possible world - we couldn't get rid of suffering without making changes that would have prevented evolution, stopped us from learning from our mistakes, or left us unable to make free choices. We looked at the idea that suffering actually makes us better people, and that other people's suffering brings out compassion in us.
Nonetheless, it is argued that a God who could do anything would be able to make a world where evolution could occur without tsunamis, where we could make free choices without committing sickening crimes etc. We finally considered the idea that the solution may be to change the traditional image of God. We considered the idea that God is not omniscient - he cannot see the future. This idea helped Rev Rebecca come to terms with suffering.
What if God was not all powerful? Would that explain why the world was so full of suffering? Is it possible that God made the world, but is not completely in control? What would that mean for religious believers?