The Problem of Evil Flashcards
Describe What is Meant by ‘The Problem of Evil.’
-The problem of evil is the theological challenge that if God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent, then why does He not prevent evil and suffering.
-Genesis states, “God said let there be light, and light appeared,” which shows that God is all powerful. He is also believed to be all loving.
-However, through observation, we know that evil exists. Therefore, it is impossible for God to have both of these characteristics as they contradict the existence of evil and suffering in the world.
-Hence, the problem of evil poses a great challenge to belief in an all loving and all powerful God as it is not understandable why or how God doesn’t prevent evil.
Describe the Difference Between Moral and Natural Evil.
-Moral evil is suffering caused by other humans acting in a way that is considered morally wrong. This includes acts such as murder or theft.
-Moral evil is a sinful act so is forbidden through rules such as the ten commandments which state, “Do not Murder.”
-Natural evil is suffering caused by natural causes or events independent of human choices. Natural evil includes illness or natural disasters.
-However, natural and moral evil can often work together with moral evil making natural evil worse, such as the suffering caused by an earthquake or flood can be made worse by looting.
Describe St Augustine’s Answers to the Question of Suffering.
-St Augustine explained the existence of evil through three theodicies: the first being that evil helps us to appreciate good. He argued if we didn’t have evil, we would not know what good is.
-St Augustine also taught that evil makes us better people. He wrote, “For the Almighty God… can bring good even out of evil.”
-This shows that because of God’s power and love, He can bring something greater from suffering. Through overcoming evil, we arrive at a place of greater happiness.
-St Augustine’s final theodicy was that evil is not a thing. He said that God did not create evil rather it is a privation of good brought about by humans choosing to do bad which leads to a lack of goodness.
Describe J.L. Mackie’s responses to St Augustine’s Theodicies.
-J.L Mackie said that although suffering helps us to appreciate good, there is too much of it than needed just to help us appreciate good things such as free will.
-He argued, “There is too much suffering to justify free will.”
-He also believed that suffering does not always help us become better people. Sometimes it may make us stronger but often it results in anger or resentment.
-Mackie could also not see why God could not make free humans who always choose good.
-Some would argue this does not make a human truly free but Mackie responded saying that the ability to choose evil is not a required part of freedom.
Describe ‘The Inconsistent Triad.’
-The Inconsistent Triad is an argument against the concept of an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God whilst suffering persists.
-The idea was created by Epicurus but later developed by David Hume who said, “God is not good, or God is not all powerful, or evil doesn’t exist.”
-However, because we know evil exists as we can observe and experience it, God cannot have both of these characteristics.
-This Inconsistent Triad tries to show this idea: that the existence of evil is logically inconsistent with the existence of a God who is all loving and all powerful.
-The existence of suffering alongside these characteristics is argued to be contradictory.
Describe Jewish Teachings Found in the Book of Job
-The Book of Job teaches Jews to endure faith. Jews learn from Job’s example that faith can persist even in the face of suffering.
-Jews should not question God as he is ineffable so is beyond human understanding.
-This was seen when God asked Job, “Where were you when I laid the Earth’s foundations?”
-Jews are also taught about compassion. This is because while Job suffers, so do his children.
-Jews will recognise that sometimes the innocent suffer too so they should show compassion and empathy to all who suffer.
Describe a Catholic Response to the Problem of Evil
-Catholics may use St Augustine’s theodicies to explain the existence of evil: the third being evil leads to something greater. He taught, “For the almighty God… can bring good out of evil.”
-This shows that because God is omnipotent, he can bring a greater good from suffering. He argues that we arrive at a place of much greater happiness through overcoming evil.
-This is evident through the suffering of Jesus who through His suffering, saved us from our sins and brought us salvation.
-Therefore, suffering is not always evil as an omnibenevolent and omnipotent God would not allow it if it did not have a greater meaning.
How are Catholics Influenced by the Problem of Evil
-Catholics may be influenced to fast in response to the mystery of suffering.
-Jesus suffered greatly during His final days so in response to this, Catholics may make sure to fast.
-They will do this especially during Holy Week and abstain from meat on every Friday to remember His death.
Evaluate Catholic Responses to the Problem of Evil
-Catholics provide a convincing argument as God bringing goodness out of evil shows love rather than malice.
-However, some will argue that this does not explain God’s reason for allowing natural evil.
-Catholics will respond to this by offering the general laws argument.
-This means that there must be natural laws operating, for example stresses in the earth causing earthquakes, in order for the world to function. Hence, an all loving God does not conflict with the existence of evil.
Describe an Atheist Response to the Problem of Evil
-Atheists would may follow Mackie’s responses to evil, one of them being: most human suffering is unnecessary. He developed the idea that even if evil can help us to appreciate good, we only need a little bit.
-He observed, through events such as the Holocaust, that that there is too much suffering than is needed to contrast the good in the world.
-For example, free will is something good that humans have however, Mackie argues that “There is too much suffering to justify free will.”
-This shows that suffering is evil as it too big a price to pay for simple human rights like freedom.
-This is further seen by the existence of natural evil in the world which plays no purpose in helping humans as it only disrupts lives and causes disorder.
How are Atheists Influenced by the Problem of Evil
-Atheists believe evil and suffering to be a random occurrence.
-Therefore, they may debate and with others over the existence of God as evil conflicts with the idea of an all-loving God.
-They may also go on to research other reasons for the existence of humans and evil as the idea of a God has been ruled out.
Evaluate Atheist Responses to the Problem of Evil
-Atheists provide an unconvincing argument as even if there is a lot of suffering, it is not evil as often it can lead to a greater good such as the pain felt during childbirth.
-Moreover, natural evil often has a purpose in regulating the earth such as floods which return nutrients to soil and maintain land masses.
Describe Another Christian Response to the Problem of Evil
-Other Christians may follow John Hick’s argument about ‘The Vale of Soul Making’. He theorised that suffering is a necessary evil if we are to become better people.
-Hick argued, “A world which is to be a person making environment cannot be a pain free paradise.” This shows that God deliberately made an imperfect world so that we can grow in wisdom and maturity.
-By doing so, we can also grow into His image but also be worthy of heaven. It is God who allows suffering and evil so that our souls can grow.
-Hence, suffering cannot always be evil as God is omnibenevolent so would not allow something so cruel if it did not have a benefit.
How are Other Christians Influenced by the Problem of Evil
-Other Christians may be influenced to follow the example of Jesus as he prayed for and helped and healed those who suffered such as the blind and lepers.
-Hence, other Christians may choose to get jobs such as doctors and nurses.
-This is because like Jesus they can also reduce the amount of suffering to help grow their souls.
Evaluate Other Christian Responses to the Problem of Evil
-Other Christians provide an unconvincing argument because it goes against the teachings of Genesis.
-In Genesis, we are taught that God made the world “good”, but this conflicts with Hick’s teaching that God deliberately made the world imperfect.
-This may suggest that suffering does have a partially evil purpose as it was created on purpose.
