problem of evil Flashcards
define natural evil
evil as a result of natural causes e.g. earthquakes, disease, floods
Define moral evil
Evil caused as a result of human action
e.g. murder
When is evil a problem
Evil is only a ‘problem’ when believing in a God with divine attributes.
When is evil a problem
Evil is only a ‘problem’ when believing in a God with divine attributes.
What did Epicurus state in his inconsistent triad formulation
- God is willing but not able to prevent evil? Then he is not omnipotent
- God is able to prevent evil but not willing? Then God is not OmniBenevolent.
- If God is both able and willing then why do we suffer?
concluded that it is reasonable to suppose that due the existence of evil, God is either not omnipotent or all Ic or God does not exist.
What did david Hume discuss in ‘ dialogues concerning natural religion’
- God is not omnipotent or he would’ve …
- God is not all loving
or… - Evil does not exist
Conclusion: too much evidence to deny that evil does not exist. God must be either impotent or malicious. Not the God of classical theism.
Therefore God does not exist.
What are mary eddie baker and a buddhists criticisms of suffering
- Mary Eddy Baker* founder of Christian Science: evil and suffering don’t exist - they are a construct of our mind
2.** Buddhists** : suffering part of existence. Belief in no ‘creator god’ so suffering not seen as a ‘problem.’
Thus existence of suffering and evil only a problem for those who believe in an all powerful God.
Where did evil originate from?
- The fall, humans disobeyed god causing natural evil - Humans created in the likeness of God (Gen 1:27) but given free will
- Adam and Eve corrupted and destroyed God’s natural perfect order creating disharmony and resulting in natural evil. - Original rejection of God by rebellious angels lucifer (moral evil) who ‘fell’ or turned away from God (causing natural evil.)
“All evil is either sin or a punishment for sin.” - Augustine
How does this apply to god
- Therefore God is not responsible for moral evil as it through free choice of humans/ angels.
- God is also not responsible for natural evil as this is a result of
the corruption of his perfect created world. - Thus God is not responsible for intervening and correcting it.
Why did god give us free will?
the world is soul deciding
God made a perfect world because God is perfect. we bring it on ourselves when we reject God using our free will.
It is more valuable having humans with the gift of freewill rather than just obedient followers
Criticisms
Evolution : explain
Evolution theory undermines how literally
Genesis creation stories can be taken and how we are all seminally present in
Adam/ Eve.
Criticisms
Moral : explain
How could a good
God let us suffer for what Adam and Eve did?
Hell is a difficult concept, if God created it he must have anticipated needing it - so why not change the plan?
Explain schliermachers Logical criticism
A perfectly created world shouldn’t have gone wrong. Cannot create something out of nothing.
Either:
1. World was not perfect
2. God enabled it to go wrong
** Modern Irenaean Theodicy - John Hick**
Human beings were not created perfect but develop in two stages, what are they?
Stage One: ‘Image’
Spiritually immature. Through struggle to survive (evolve) humans can develop into spiritually mature beings.
The Fall is a result of immature humans who are only in the ‘image’ of God
Stage Two: ‘Likeness’
Grow into a relationship with God
• God’s presence not always obvious so humans have a choice whether or not to believe in God (full FW)
• According to Hick everyone will be saved - Universal Salvation but so
post death soul making is needed = purgatory. But this salvation neec
earned.
‘Let us make man in Our____, in Our _______’ Genesis 1:?
‘Let us make man in Our image, in Our likeness’
Genesis 1:26
