The Goodness of God: The Problem of Evil

Question 1

Van Inwagen argues that evil is not simply the absence of good, but…

Answer 1

that it is something positive and harmful. It’s also often the result of human actions.

Question 2

What is the free will defense?

Answer 2

God cannot prevent evil without also preventing free will. This is because evil is often the result of human choices, and God cannot violate our free will without also violating our personhood.

Question 3

What is the soul-making theodicy?

Answer 3

Evil is a necessary part of the process of spiritual growth. Through suffering, we learn to love, compassion, and forgiveness. We also come to appreciate the good things in life more fully.

Question 4

What is the hiddenness of God theodicy?

Answer 4

God is hidden from us for a reason. If God were too obvious, we would not have the freedom to choose to love him.

Question 5

Mackie defines theism as…

Answer 5

“the belief in a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good.”

Question 6

Mackie says there are three possible ways to explain evil and suffering:

Answer 6

1. God is not all-powerful.
2. God is not all-knowing.
3. God is not all-good.

Question 7

What possibility does Mackie reject to explain evil and suffering?

Answer 7

That God is either not all-powerful or all-knowing, since that’s incompatible with the definition of God. That God is not all-good is most likely explanation.

Question 8

What are 2 criticisms about the free will defense?

Answer 8

1. Doesn’t explain why God allows so much suffering.
2. It’s possible for God to create a world with free will and without evil.

Question 9

What does Mackie conclude about belief in God?

Answer 9

Not only is there no good reason to believe in God, but it’s a wonder why reasonable people continue to believe.