One of the main objections I come across when talking to non-Christians is the problem of evil (or The Problem of Pain, as C.S. Lewis termed it).

The argument is this: if God exists, and if he's good, then why is there so much evil in the world, particularly in the lives of those who love God? If God is both all-powerful and good, then surely he both can and ought to stop suffering. Because he doesn't, or doesn't seem to, then there must not be a God. Or not a good God, anyway.

I've been reading the minor prophets lately. Some of them speak to me more than others, mainly because they relate to the situation(s) I'm in or have been in. Particularly Hosea recently, and now Habakkuk.

These are my verbatim personal notes after reading, no references, no great scholarly comments. I recommend reading it for yourself: just 3 short chapters.

Habakkuk’s cry is the same as throughout the ages: why does evil seem to be winning? Injustice and violence are everywhere. The wicked prevail against the righteous and they are helpless. Habakkuk cries out to God, but God seems to be doing nothing.