MODULE 1 Problem of Evil & Suffering

Question 1

What is the problem of evil?

Answer 1

A philosophical and theological issue questioning how an all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good God can exist in a world with evil and suffering.

Question 2

How is the problem of evil linked to suffering?

Answer 2

It challenges how God could allow suffering to exist, raising questions about God’s role and nature.

Question 3

What are the two main versions of the problem of evil?

Answer 3

1) Evidential Problem of Evil
2) Logical Problem of Evil

Question 4

What does the Evidential Problem of Evil argue?

Answer 4

It argues that the sheer amount or specific types of evil make God’s existence highly unlikely.

Question 5

What do both theists and atheists agree on regarding the problem of evil?

Answer 5

Evil exists.

Question 6

What is the implication of the evidential problem of evil on God’s existence?

Answer 6

It suggests that evil makes God’s existence less probable.

Question 7

According to atheist thinkers, what does the quality and quantity of evil indicate?

Answer 7

It indicates that God either does not exist, exists but is not omnibenevolent, not omnipotent, or is cruel and malevolent.

Question 8

What is ‘pointless evil’ as described by William Rowe?

Answer 8

Evil that does not preserve free will or build character, raising questions about God’s attributes.

Question 9

What does the evidential problem of evil argue about the coexistence of God and evil?

Answer 9

It argues that while evil can logically coexist with God, it makes God’s existence less likely.

Question 10

Who is John Stuart Mill and what was his argument regarding evil?

Answer 10

A British philosopher who argued that evil alone proves that either God does not exist or is not all-loving.

Question 11

What challenge does Ivan present to Alyosha regarding belief in God?

Answer 11

He tells heartrending stories of evil to challenge Alyosha’s belief.

Question 12

What is the view of Mary Baker Eddy on evil?

Answer 12

She founded the Christian Science Movement, suggesting a unique perspective on the nature of evil.

Question 13

What does St. Augustine say about evil?

Answer 13

Evil is the privation of good.

Question 14

Fill in the blank: The logical problem of evil claims that the existence of evil is _______ with the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God.

Answer 14

logically incompatible

Question 15

What is moral evil?

Answer 15

Evil resulting from human actions, such as the Holocaust.

Question 16

What are some responses to the criticisms presented by the evidential problem of evil?

Answer 16

• Some suffering is good
• Some suffering brings out the best in human nature
• All suffering will eventually lead to perfect harmony in heaven

Question 17

What is a significant question raised regarding suffering and heaven?

Answer 17

Does everyone who has suffered or experienced evil get to go to heaven?

Question 18

What does the evidential problem of evil focus on?

Answer 18

The presence of evil, its amount, type, or how it’s spread, and its impact on the probability of God’s existence.

Question 19

revision card (flip to read then write it out from memory)

Answer 19

IN SUMMARY:
- The evidential problem of evil (a posteriori) argues that while the existence of evil can logically coexist with God, it makes it less likely that God exists.

• This argument looks at the presence of evil and that evil reduces the probability of God’s existence.

Question 20

what is the logical problem of evil?

Answer 20

The existence of evil is logically incompatible with the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing and all-good God.

This is because the existence of evil seems to contradict the idea of such a God of these characteristics.

Question 21

What is JL Mackie ‘Inconsistent Triad’?

Answer 21

God is omnipotent/omniscient and omnibenevolent.
HOWEVER, evil exists.

This means that either God being all-powerful/ knowing or all-loving must be logically inconsistent, therefore wrong

Question 22

Summaries the ‘Inconsistent Triad’

Answer 22

The problem of evil can be regarded as an ‘Inconsistent Triad’ - where there are THREE ideas but only TWO can be true.

Question 23

List the 3 Solutions to the Problem of Evil:

Answer 23

1) Denying God’s omnipotence
2) Denying God’s omnibenevolence
3) Denying that evil exists

Question 24

What is the problem/s of ‘Denying God’s omnipotence’?

Answer 24

• For most believers a God who is not omnipotent would not be worthy of worship.

Question 25

What is the problem/s of 'Denying God's omnibenevolence'?

Answer 25

- God's omnibenevolence like his omnipotence is a matter of faith

Question 26

What is the problem/s of 'Denying that evil exists'?

Answer 26

- Denying the reality of evil does not seem to be an acceptable solution. Most people have experienced the power of evil and most people see it being as tangible as goodness.

Question 27

Define 'THEODICY'

Answer 27

'righteous God' or 'defence of God'. A theodicy is an argument that suggests God is right to allow the existence of evil and suffering because they are necessary.

Question 28

Who is Augustine? (KEY SCHOLAR)

Answer 28

An early Christian theologian and philosopher, writer of 'City of God, Confessions'

Question 29

What does Augustine's theory discuss?

Answer 29

- The idea that not only does God exist, but so do evil and suffering. In fact, ALL are necessary in this world. - God is right to allow evil and suffering as they play an important part in our nature and development as humans. * For Augustine, God is just and allows suffering to happen as a punishment for human sin.

Question 30

Criticisms of Augustinian Theodicy:

Answer 30

- German theologian SCHLEIERMACHER said: * If God had created a perfectly good world then it could never go wrong. * If humans were able to chose evil, then evil must have existed in the first place. * If evil existed in the first place, then it wasn't perfect.

Question 31

Augustine's view VS Schleiermacher view on evil and suffering:

Answer 31

AUGUSTINE - Decisions made by man created evil and suffering NOT God. Suffering is therefore our punishment. SCHLEIERMACHER - Evil and suffering must have existed in the first place. If the world wasn't perfect to start with, then God is to blame for evil and suffering.

Question 32

who is Irenaeus? (KEY SCHOLAR)

Answer 32

2nd century bishop an early Church Father and apologist.

Question 33

What is Irenaean Theodicy?

Answer 33

In Against Heresies, he claimed that God deliberately created an imperfect world so that humans could, through trial, develop into perfect beings. *In a sense, evil and suffering are part of God's plan for humanity

Question 34

Define the keywords: (a) FREE WILL (b) SOUL-MAKING

Answer 34

(a) God has given us the opportunity to make our own decisions to give us independence. (b) Suffering ultimately makes people develop into better human beings.

Question 35

Quote from Irenaeus: (turn over card and then test yourself)

Answer 35

"A world without problems, hardships would be morally static, for moral and spiritual growth comes through responses to challenges"

Question 36

Quote form Romans 5:3 (turn over card and then test yourself)

Answer 36

"We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, character and hope"

Question 37

Criticisms of Irenaean Theodicy:

Answer 37

- Suffering does not always result in positive human development. - Suffering can produce nothing but misery. - D.Z Phillips; love can never be expressed by allowing suffering to happen

Question 38

Strengths of Irenaean Theodicy:

Answer 38

- It shows why God allows evil; we need free will to choose to be like God. Therefore he doesn't interfere to not hinder our development. - Biblically based; partly based on the ideas of Genesis "Let us make mankind in our own image and likeness". (acceptable to Christians)

Question 39

Supporters of Irenaeus theodicy:

Answer 39

John Hick -> developed his 'vale of soul-making' theodicy using Irenaeus' ideas as a foundation. Richard Swinburne -> argued that without evil and suffering many attributes we admire in people e.g. kindness, generosity wouldn't exist. He argues that many of the moral virtues we admire are only possible in an imperfect world.

Question 40

What is Hick's 'vale of soul-making'?

Answer 40

Hick agreed that humans were created as imperfect from the start, so that they could grow and develop into the 'likeness' of God. Further developed by explaining through hardships, humans develop virtues, and these are more meaningful than if they were graced to us by God

Question 41

what do theists believe about suffering?

Answer 41

- some suffering is good - some suffering brings out the best in human nature - all suffering will eventually lead to the perfect harmony of life and heaven

Question 42

Why does Hick claim the 'Augustine Theodicy is no longer credible'

Answer 42

- Since Augustine places the origin of evil and suffering within the story of Adam and Eve and their supposed fall from a state of perfection as 'utterly unacceptable'. - Morally punishing the whole succeeding human race for the sins of the first parents is unjust.

Question 42

why does Hick say humans have an 'Epistemic Distance from God'?

Answer 42

Humans have to exist at an 'epistemic distance from God, a 'distance of knowledge' - this is because their freedom would be lost because they would do whatever they thought God told them to do.

Question 43

why does Hick claim 'Everyone becomes a 'child of God'?

Answer 43

- some children will never learn to respond to their parents, eventually the human race as a whole will respond freely to God. - All will be saved and will enter heaven, since God is infinitely persuasive and every individual will be brought into a moral, spiritual relationship with God. This happens at different times for different individuals.

Question 44

Strengths of Hick's soul-making theodicy:

Answer 44

- we are created at an epistemic distance from God, Hick can use this to justify any form of evil including animal suffering and pointless suffering, because his thesis is that the end (heaven) justifies the means. - Hick's argument that it's necessary for soul-making is highly powerful argument. This is because humanity as a whole cannot develop without challenge , and suffering develops character. It would be unrealistic to suppose that we can experience great goodness without also being exposed to great evils.

Question 45

Weaknesses of Hick's soul-making theodicy:

Answer 45

- Many Christians reject Hick's theodicy because it does not match with some Christian teachings. For example: If all human beings are saved what was the point of Jesus' crucifixion? At best, Jesus' life becomes a role model to show Christians how to arrive at God's 'likeness'. - Hick's theodicy argues for universal salvation - everybody will eventually reach God's Kingdom, however long this takes. If that's the case what is the point of a pilgrimage if we're all going to get there, what is the point of the journey?