Problem of Evil Flashcards
What is a theodicy?
A defence of God’s existence in the face of evil.
What is the Augustine Theodicy?
The belief that Adam and Eve were created ex nihilo, they used their free will to commit evil. This corrupted nature and human nature.
What does ex nihilo mean?
Out of nothing
Who created the inconsistent triad and what is it?
JL Mackie. Christians cannot coherently hold the following three beliefs to be true: God is all-loving, God is all-powerful and evil exists.
What are the two types of suffering?
Natural suffering and moral suffering
Give three examples of moral suffering.
Murder, genocide, rape, arson, purposefully withholding resources to a group of people, terrorism etc.
Give three examples of natural suffering
Hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods.
What is the story of Job?
God allowed the devil to test Job’s loyalty to God by killing his family, ruining his crops and sending disease. Job remained loyal. Lesson of the story? Suffering may text us, but God has a bigger plan that we may not understand.
What is the Irenaen theodicy?
Irenaeas believed that humans were made in the image of God but not in his Likeness. We experience suffering as it helps us to grow morally and spiritually. E.g. it may make us more charitable or compassionate.
Give three ways in which a Christian might respond to evil and suffering. (actions)
Give money to Christian aid, donate clothes to a local homeless shelter, raise money to donate to a cause, pray for guidance or help, volunteer at a charity shop or at an event.
Define omniscience
God as all-knowing
Define omnipotence
God as all powerful
Define benevolence
God as all-loving
Atheism
The rejection of God’s existence.
Give an example of a scholar who rejected God’s existence.
Darwin and Sartre.
