Augustinian Theodicy Flashcards
Theme 3B
What is a theodicy?
It is a religious argument that defends the existence of a God in classical theism by justifying why God allows evil
Why do Christians believe that their worldview is the best solution?
God does 4 things:
1. The 3 institutions of Church, Government and Family restrain evil
2. The ability of the holy spirit and its guidance
3. There will be a time when he removes evil
4. God sent Jesus down to Earth
What is the religious responses to the problem of evil?
God and human goodness is different
God allows evil as a greater plan of love
John Hick says Christians have to understand evil
What is the Augustinian theodicy?
He assumed two things:
Evil did not come from God and God’s creation was flawless
Evil came from elsewhere and he justified it.
What is an overview of the Augustinian theodicy?
- God is perfect and made a flawless world and cannot be blamed for creating evil
- Evil came from humans and angels
- Possibility of evil is necessary in a created world
- Everyone is guilty due to original sin
- Natural evil is a fitting punishment because humans destroyed the natural order of the world by disobeying
- God is right to not intervene
- God saves some via Christ to show he is merciful
- Augustine’s views on humans is negative.
What is Augustine’s theodicy in terms of soul?
It is soul-deciding because it involves the concept of predestination and that you are judged by God for your actions
