Lecture 9: Arguments for the Existence of God, cont.

Question 1

Give John Hick’s response to theodicy.

Answer 1

Humans must be free to make evil choices, or we would not be free. Evil is necessary to allow us to develop into God’s image, because without it, we would be coerced.

Question 2

Why is it unwise to speak of God’s sovereignty in terms of causality?

Answer 2

We have a hard enough time understanding cause and effect in the material world. It’s even harder with God, who is more complex than we can imagine.

Question 3

What assumption does Kreeft and Tacelli’s argument about conscience make?

Answer 3

That following one’s conscience is a form of moral universalism.

Question 4

What does N. T. Wright believe about the origins of evil and our responsibility?

Answer 4

The origin of evil is a mystery, though our responsibility for it is clear.

Question 5

According to Augustine’s free will defense, what could not exist in a world without free will?

Answer 5

No real good actions could exist.

Question 6

Define the law of ‘double-effect.’

Answer 6

An action can have two effects, one intended and an unintended negative one alongside, and still be morally permissible.

Question 7

According to Augustine’s free will defense, what is a necessary precursor to what?

Answer 7

Freedom is a necessary precursor for us to be held responsible for moral actions.

Question 8

What did Augustine believe about evil?

Answer 8

Evil is parasitic and can only exist because good first exists. Evil is like a disease in the body - it is the absence of health.

Question 9

Give the three propositions of theodicy.

Answer 9

• God is completely good
• God is all-powerful
• Evil exists

Question 10

What must moral arguments reject outright in order to be relevant?

Answer 10

Moral subjectivism

Question 11

Give Kreeft and Tacelli’s moral argument.

Answer 11

• Conscience does not come from nature
• Conscience cannot come from self
• Conscience cannot come from others
• Conscience must come from God

Question 12

Who created the law of ‘double-effect’?

Answer 12

First Augustine, then Aquinas developed it further.

Question 13

Define libertarian freedom.

Answer 13

“The ability to always choose otherwise.” One is only free if no other cause than oneself is involved with bringing about one’s actions.

Question 14

What is the moral argument for God’s existence?

Answer 14

Because we observe universal moral sensibility, we can infer the existence of a higher moral being.

Question 15

What does N. T. Wright believe should be the focus of conversations about evil?

Answer 15

God will redeem the created order.

Question 16

Why can evil not be a substance or thing?

Answer 16

Then we would have dualism (good and evil existing eternally) or we would have to say God created it.

Question 17

What is the experiential argument for God’s existence?

Answer 17

Experiential arguments tell stories about experiencing God, regardless of the inferences about them.

Question 18

Define pantheism.

Answer 18

Pantheism literally means “all is God”. God is the world.

Question 19

According to Augustine’s free will defense, a world of what is better than a world of what?

Answer 19

Free agents rather than automatons

Question 20

Define moral subjectivism.

Answer 20

People’s understanding of right and wrong is local to them, communities, or cultures. There is no universal standard of behavior and everyone should follow their own conscience.

Question 21

What did Richard Swinburne say in relation to natural evil?

Answer 21

Evil is a ‘necessary’ means to a good. Natural evil gives us an opportunity to grow and develop in wisdom and understanding.

Question 22

How does pantheism address theodicy?

Answer 22

God is not all powerful, and possibly not all good.

Question 23

What does N. T. Wright believe about the necessity of evil?

Answer 23

He rejects the idea that evil is necessary to create goodness.

Question 24

Richard Swinburne believed evil was necessary for what purpose?

Answer 24

In order to allow us to grow and develop in wisdom and understanding.

Question 25

Who thought evil is necessary for humanity to develop so that we avoid being coerced?

Answer 25

John Hicks