02 Challenges To Religion - B Augustine’s Theodicy Flashcards
What is a theodicy?
An attempt to show that God does exist whilst accepting the existence of suffering and evil.
What book did Augustine look at for his theodicy?
Genesis.
What illustrates the consequence of free will?
God made a perfectly good world. The eating of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil illustrates the consequence of free will. They disobeyed God.
State the quote from genesis that shows that God made a perfect world.
“God saw all that he had made and it was very good.”
When did evil fist come into existence?
When angels, followed by humans, misused their free wills and turned away from God, their creator.
What is ex nihilo?
From nothing.
What do we all have the capability of?
Turning away from God and choosing a lower rather than higher good that brings about evil.
What are humans ultimately responsible for?
Sin and consequently evil, not God. Humans voluntarily chose sin.
What did Augustine argue disrupted natural order / caused natural evil?
The fall of the angels.
What does privation mean?
A lack of.
According to Augustine, is evil in any way a substance or a part the created order?
No. GOD DIDN’T CREATE IT!
What is evil a privation of according to Augustine?
Good
What does seminally present mean?
All human beings are descended from Adam.
Why do all human beings inherit Adam’s guilt and sin - original sin?
All human beings are seminally present to Adam.
Why do all humans deserve to serve punishments?
Because we all carry Adam’s original sin.
What did Augustine believe is better than not having any evil to exist?
To bring good out of evil.
What is felix culpa?
Happy mistake.
The Christian belief that if it wasn’t for the fall of Adam and Eve then God would have never have sent Jesus to save the world from sin.
Why is Augustine’s theodicy referred to as soul-deciding?
Because those that seek atonement and choose Christ as their savour will after this life be reunited with God in heaven.
Is God merciful and just?
yes.
what does Augustine compare the presence of evil in the universe with? explain.
The presence of the colour black in a picture. On its own, it is not considered a pleasant colour but it is in a picture because the artist has a purpose for it. If it were taken out, the picture would be spoiled. Our finiteness doesn’t allow us to see the whole picture.
What is the problem with Augustine’s theodicy of validity in the accounts of Adam and Eve?
-Most people view the Adam and Eve story as a myth rather than a factual account.
-Also most people today would dismiss the existence of angels- there is a lack of empirical evidence for this.
What is the scientific error with Augustine’s theodicy?
It is not biologically possible for us all to be seminally present to Adam.
What does Augustine’s theodicy contradict?
Evolution which says we are developing. So, in the 21st century it is more likely to be rejected.
