1.7 Problems of Evil and Suffering Flashcards
What is moral evil?
Evil that is result of human actions.
E.G Murder.
What is natural evil?
Evil that is naturally occuring in the world and cause suffering.
E.G Earthquakes and Diseases.
What do Christians believe cause evil and suffering?
Free Will
Original Sin
How does free will help Christians respond to the problem of evil?
Free-will is a gift from God
Humans can choose between good and evil.
When we choose evil, it causes suffering.
Humans are to blame as they abuse their free will.
How does Original Sin help Christians respond to the problem of evil?
As a result of Original Sin pain and suffering and natural suffering were introduced into a perfect world.
Since Adam and Eve all humans have original sin and the tendency to go against God.
Original Sin reminds us we all share a responsibility for the evil and suffering in the world.
Who came up with the idea of the Inconsistent Triad and what does it encompass?
Philosopher J.L Mackie
The inconsistent trad explains how evil and suffering challenge the existence of
God. If you combine any two points (omnipotent, omnibenevolent, existence of evil) of the triangle, the third point cannot be true
What arguments would Christians usually put forward for the reason evil exists in the world?
Evil is necessary as an opposite of good
Evil helps us to be better people
Evil is a consequence of free will
What do Scholars Hick and St Iranaeus think about why evil exists in the world?
Humans were made in the image of God, but are not perfect.
They need to grow to become spiritually perfect. They do this through suffering- as a way to develop.
Through free will we can make the right choices.
This is called the Vale of Soul Making and explains why God allows natural evil, it helps people grow and become better people.
Describe the Story of Job
Job suffers in the Bible
Although Job is met with numerous misfortunes such as the death of his children, Job still places his trust and faith in God and does not question God. This led to God rewarding Job.
We cannot know God’s plan
If God is all-loving, all-powerful and created a good world…
If God is all-loving, all-powerful and created a good world, why does evil and suffering occur?
If God was omnipotent…
If God was omnipotent - he would have the power to remove suffering from the world
If God was omniscient…
If God was omniscient - he would know that evil was happening and want to stop it
If God was omnibenevolent…
If God was omnibenevolent - he would love humanity enough to stop evil
Evil does exist
Why are the problems of evil important?
Evil and suffering can cause Christians to question the existence or characteristics of God. They might struggle to worship a God that allows evil and suffering to exist. Or they might question whether they want to believe in a God who is not all-powerful or all-qood.
SOW- righteousness and justice
“The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed”
(Psalm 103: 6 [NIV])
