Process Theodicy Flashcards
Who is David Ray Griffin?
A 20th century philosopher
What is Griffin’s “process theodicy”?
-According to Griffin, God does not create the world in a traditional, all-powerful manner but instead operates through “persuasion,” guiding pre-existing matter towards greater order and complexity.
-This understanding rejects the classical theistic view that God is transcendent and instead posits that God is immanent is intertwined with the universe thus offering a unique perspective on the existence of evil: it is not created by God but emerges from the inherent freedom of the universe which God cannot fully control
What did Griffin say about process theodicy?
-Griffin stated, “every entity is to be understood in terms of the way it is interwoven with the rest of the universe,” highlighting that God and the world are co-dependent and mutually influential.
What does Griffin say about God being a “fellow sufferer”?
-Griffin’s view suggests that God is not detached from the suffering of creation; rather, God is a “fellow sufferer” who experiences the pain of the world alongside it.
-In this way, God’s presence is not the direct cause of evil but rather an ongoing force that seeks to bring greater good from the evil in a dynamic world
How is Griffin’s theodicy influenced by Whitehead?
-It is influenced by Alfred North Whitehead’s ideas and inspired by developments in quantum mechanics, presents a view of God that is fundamentally relational and dynamic.
What would Griffin argue about natural evil?
-The world, according to process theodicy, is in a state of continuous flux, and events such as earthquakes, floods, or diseases are part of the ongoing process that allows for complexity and development.
-While these events may lead to suffering, God works to guide the world towards greater order and harmony, albeit without full control.
-The idea that God is a “fellow sufferer” implies that God experiences pain and sorrow alongside creation in response to natural evil, sharing in the suffering rather than being distant from it
Why may Griffin’s process theodicy be weak?
-Griffin’s argument is fundamentally flawed as it sidesteps Epicurus’ logical problem of evil rather than addressing it directly.
-By positing that the universe is uncreated and external, Griffin diminishes God’s omnipotence by asserting that He is inextricably bound to it.
-He claims that God’s creative role is to develop pre-existing matter by “persuading it” into a state of greater order, implying that God does not fully control the universe. This perspective paints God as a “fellow sufferer,” suggesting that He experiences suffering alongside humanity, contradicting scriptural assertions like “God Almighty is with us.”
How would Griffin respond to Roth’s theodicy?
Griffin counters Roth’s critique by stating, “Roth finds my God too small to evoke worship; I find his too gross.” This underscores Griffin’s belief that a God who shares in the suffering of His creatures is more authentically compassionate and worthy of reverence than a distant deity.
What is a biblical argument that further discredits Process Theodicy?
-A significant counterargument to Griffin’s process theodicy arises from the biblical assertion of God’s unchanging nature, as stated in Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
-This declaration emphasizes that God is immutable, contrasting sharply with Griffin’s portrayal of a God who evolves. By suggesting that God’s nature is not fixed, Griffin removes a core attribute of classical theism, undermining the view of God as omnipotent and omniscient.
How could process theodicy reduce the credibility of God?
-Griffin’s argument that God operates through attraction rather than coercion raises critical questions about divine efficacy in the face of evil. If
-God merely persuades creation toward good rather than asserting His will, it contradicts the notion of a sovereign deity capable of intervening to prevent suffering.
-This portrayal could disillusion believers, as significant suffering challenges the credibility of a God who desires a better world but seems powerless to achieve it.
What is Roth’s argument against process theodicy?
-Roth argues that a God who could not prevent atrocities, such as the genocide at Auschwitz, would not be worthy of worship, as such a deity is unable to save humanity from profound suffering. -This reduction of divine power undermines the classical understanding of God and raises serious questions about the legitimacy of Griffin’s process theodicy as a response to the problem of evil.
