“Using the problem of evil as an argument against God is dangerous for the skeptic, since, ironically, this problem can turn into an argument in favor of God’s existence.” — The Comprehensive Guide to Apologetics by Joseph M. Holden

Scripture teaches 4 truths simultaneously:

1. God is absolutely sovereign, but his sovereignty never functions in such a way that human responsibility is curtailed, minimized, mitigated. Ultimately, God does all things for his own glory, to the benefit and good of his people.
2. Human beings are morally responsible creatures – they significantly choose, rebel, obey, believe, defy, and make decisions – and they are rightly held accountable for such actions; but this characteristic never functions so as to make God absolutely contingent.
3. Despite everything Scripture says about God’s sovereignty, the Bible insists that God is perfectly good. God is never presented as an accomplice of evil, or as secretly malicious, or as standing behind evil in exactly the same way that he stands behind good. God’s goodness is a non-negotiable in Scripture (see Dt 32:4; Hab 1:13; 1 Jn 1:5; Rev 15:3-4)
4. Evil and sin are real and they are tied to the creature and not God.

Scripture teaches 5 truths simultaneously with respect to evil:

1. We have no right to complain against God, and when we do, we expose ourselves as disobedient. (Rom 9:19-20)
2. God is under no obligation to give us an intellectually satisfying answer to the problem of evil. He expects us to trust him in spite of that. (Job 38-42)
3. God’s sovereignty is not to be questioned in connection with the problem of evil; it is rather to be underscored. (Job 38-42)
4. God’s Word, his truth, is altogether reliable.
5. As a matter of fact, God is not unjust. He is holy, just, and good.

“We need, too, to be cautious in probing the problem of evil. I don’t believe it is sinful merely to pose questions. But when our questions take on the quality of accusations, when they express actual doubt of God’s goodness, when we put ourselves in the proud position of demanding an answer, then we can expect a rebuke from God like the rebukes he gave to Job and to Adam.” — Apologetics: A Justification of Christian Belief by John M. Frame

The problem of evil ultimately resolves at the cross where evil is defeated (Col 2:15). Christus Victor views the death of Christ as the “final and decisive” battle against evil. Christ’s crucifixion is the decisive point for his present work in the world of men where he triumphs and continues to break down sin’s power.

In logic, an Abductive Argument is inference to the best explanation. Here is an abductive argument that evil necessitates the existence of God (from my Master’s Thesis at Southern Seminary on May 28, 2023):

1. The reality of evil is not contradictory with the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent God.
2. Evil cannot exist without good.
3. Good is grounded in God.
4. The resolution of evil requires God (triumphed over evil at the cross [Col 2:15] and ultimately quarantines all evil in Hell).
5. The presence of evil necessitates the existence of God.