Problem of evil

Question 1

Privation

Answer 1

A lack of an essential characteristic or property e.g. Blindness is a lack of sight

Question 2

Theodicy

Answer 2

The justification of God in the face of evil and suffering

Question 3

Inconsistent Triad

Answer 3

God cannot be omnipotent and omni-benevolent or evil would not exist

Question 4

Epistemic Distance

Answer 4

The knowledge of God’s existence is not obvious to humans in order to allow free will.

Question 5

Eschatology

Answer 5

The end times or last days of the Universe; often a reference to the afterlife

Question 6

Soul-making

Answer 6

Hick’s phrase referring to growing from the image into the likeness of God

Question 7

Soul-deciding

Answer 7

Often used of Augustine’s theodicy – the individual decides where their soul will go depending on their response to Jesus

Question 8

Moral Evil

Answer 8

Evil and suffering caused by humans e.g. war

Question 9

Natural Evil

Answer 9

Evil and suffering caused by natural events e.g. tsunami

Question 10

Dysteleological Evil

Answer 10

Evil and suffering that does not seem to have a purpose

Question 11

Logical Problem of Evil

Answer 11

How can God be all powerful and all loving yet evil exist?

Question 12

Evidential Problem of Evil

Answer 12

The sheer amount of evil in the world