Relationship between God and Human suffering Flashcards
1
Q
how is evil a result of human sin?
A
- adam and eve disobey god’s instruction, brought evil into perfect world
- perfect world affected and so is perfect relationship that humans originally had with God
2
Q
What did St Augustine teach?
A
- human beings are responsible for evil as a result of making wrong choices
- people ask why God created A+E if he know they were going to be disobedient
3
Q
How is evil a lesson? Who’s theory is this?
A
- Christian Bishop - Irenaeus
- man not created perfect, but immature, need to grow and develop to perfection - God’s plan
- evil necessary for us to understand goodness of God
- evil teaches us lessons
4
Q
Weaknesses of Iraneus’ theory?
A
- doesn’t explain suffering that can’t be learned from - e.g. suffering of baby
- doesn’t help us develop God’s perfects qualities
- terminal illnesses - don’t deserve it - anger towards God, especially if they were faithful to God before
5
Q
Is Evil a test? What book provides evidence?
A
- suffering as test of faith for believers
- punishment for wicked
- Book of Job - God allows devil to bring evil and suffering to Job, see whether he remains faithful, he does and God rewards him
- some believe they are being tested during difficult times in lives
- can’t be tested beyond what they can bear
