Evil and Suffering

Question 1

What is the problem?

Answer 1

Universal,moral evil,natural evil,’rock of Atheism’,inconsistent triad-Mackie

Question 2

Augustine

Answer 2

Ex nihilo-‘God saw all that He made and it was perfect’(Genesis)
Fall of man-Humans are seminally present in Adam
Evil not an entity-Privatio Boni
Natural evil-punishment for our evil
Salvation through Christ
Soul deciding theodicy

Question 3

Irenaeus

Answer 3

Genesis-life has two stages;made in the ‘image’ of God,grow into the ‘likeness’ of God
Evil and Suffering has a purpose-needed for development
Grow to be perfect-Evolution
Builds character-companionship,honesty,strength
Hick-development continues in the afterlife so everyone gets into heaven
Universalism
Soul-making theodicy

Question 4

Free will defence

Answer 4

Swinburne

Question 5

Criticisms of Augustine

Answer 5

Pessimistic theodicy
Exclusive to Christians
Biologically impossible
Not in line with science-Darwin 
Includes Christ
Explains both evils
Absolves god from responsibility

Question 6

Criticisms of Irenaeus

Answer 6

Too optimistic-if everyone got into heaven what is the need for morality
Evil is unfairly distributed,if God chooses,then he must be immoral
Not all evil develops,it could deter people from faith
Universalism is not a Christian concept
Doesn’t include Christ in the theodicy
Explains evil and keeps triad consistent
In line with science-Evolution