Horrendous evils and the goodness of God

Marilyn McCord Adams' 'Horrendous Evil and the Goodness of God' analyzes how truly devastating evils can be reconciled with belief in a good God. Adams develops the concept of 'horrendous evils'—evils so severe they seem to overwhelm any life’s positive goods—and argues that only transformation through relationship with God can make sense of them.

She draws on theological resources (including mystics like Julian of Norwich) to suggest ways such evils might be defeated, possibly including post-mortem integration into Christ's suffering.

The book blends analytic philosophy and Christian theology to challenge skeptical arguments from the problem of evil.

It has been influential in contemporary discussions about theodicy and the meaning of suffering.