The Problem of Evil

Question 1

What three categories of evil need to be addressed by theodicies

Answer 1

(1) Natural Evil - cataclysmic events, bad weather, decay
(2) Metaphysical Evil - supernatural forces of evil such as Satan and demons
(3) Moral Evil - Evil that is the result of sinful human choices

Question 2

Describe the category of God’s Omnipotence with regards to theodicies

Answer 2

God’s Omnipotence – The reconsideration of God’s omnipotence is one approach for “resolving” the problem of evil by diminishing, denying, or delimiting God’s greatness. According to this belief, Evil is an uncreated force that has always been present. God desires to overcome evil; but he is simply unable to do so.

Question 3

Describe the category of God’s Goodness with regards to theodicies

Answer 3

God’s Goodness - This reconsideration of God’s goodness sees God as either not good in the way we have previously understood or else preventing evil does not really engage his goodness. 4 consequences of this view are: (1) Whatever God does is right because he is God, (2) because God is the Creator of all things he has absolute and unlimited rights over his creation, (3) laws that apply to men don’t apply to God, (4) the fact that God has caused others to sin has no bearing on God being free from sin.

Question 4

Describe the category of the Character of Evil itself with regards to theodicies

Answer 4

Character of Evil itself. - This reconsideration of evil rejects the reality of evil altogether. This approach is derived from a form of philosophical idealism that holds evil and disease as an illusion.

Question 5

List and discuss three strategies which Erickson suggests are usually developed as theodicy attempts to address the tension between classical theism and the existence of evil.

Answer 5

(1) Pelagianism
(2) Arminianism
(3) Calvinism

Question 6

Discuss Pelagianism

Answer 6

According to the Pelagian view God imputes neither a corrupted nature nor guilt to humanity. The emphasizing of free will. Pelagius believed that unlike other creatures, humans were created free of the controlling influences of the universe. Pelagius maintained that the soul, created by God specifically for every person, is not tainted by any supposed corruption or guilt.

Question 7

Discuss Arminianism

Answer 7

According to the Arminian view, God imputes a corrupted nature but not guilt. Moderate Arminianism holds that we receive from Adam a corrupted nature. We begin life without righteousness. Thus, all humans are unable, without special divine help, to fulfill God’s spiritual commands. This in ability is intellectual and physical but not volitional.

Question 8

Discuss Calvinism

Answer 8

According to the Calvinist view, God imputes both a corrupted nature and guilt to mankind. The Calvinist position on this matter is that there is a definite connection between Adam’s sin and all persons all time, but in some way his individual sin is also our sin.

Question 9

List and explain the two “categories” of sin cited by Reinhold Niebuhr.

Answer 9

Reinhold Niebuhr narrowed down sin to two different categories: (1) Sin as pride, and (2) Sin as sensuality.

Question 10

Define Niebuhr’s Sin as pride

Answer 10

Sin as pride – According to this view, hubris is the major form of human opposition to God. Selfishness and the preference of oneself to God manifests itself in many different sins. Hubris cause humanity to prefer its own ideas over God’s truth.

Question 11

Define Niebuhr’s Sin as sensuality

Answer 11

Sin as sensuality – According to this conception, sin is the tendency of the lower or physical nature to dominate and control the higher, spiritual nature.

Question 12

List and discuss the six “Themes” Erickson cites for dealing with the problem of evil. How would you evaluate the adequacy or failure of these approaches?

Answer 12

(1) Evil as a necessary accompaniment of the creation of humankind
(2) A reevaluation of what constitutes good and evil
(3) Evil in general as the result of sin in general
(4) Specific evil as the result of specific sins
(5) God as the victim of evil
(6) The life hereafter

Question 13

Describe Erickson’s 1st theme for dealing with the problem of evil

Answer 13

Evil as a necessary accompaniment of the creation of humankind – There are some things God cannot do, because they go against his nature. God cannot be cruel. If God had prevented evil, he would have had to make man other than he is.

Question 14

Describe Erickson’s 2nd theme for dealing with the problem of evil

Answer 14

A reevaluation of what constitutes good and evil – What we call good and evil might be misperceived by us. Goodness is defined in terms of relationship to the will and being of God.

Question 15

Describe Erickson’s 3rd theme for dealing with the problem of evil

Answer 15

Evil in general as the result of sin in general – Much of the world’s evil is a consequence of humanity’s moral choices. Original sin is a twist or a fracture of what is intrinsically good.

Question 16

Describe Erickson’s 4th theme for dealing with the problem of evil

Answer 16

Specific evil as the result of specific sins – Some evil is a consequence of evil actions on our part. Evil is frequently a result of sinful action.

Question 17

Describe Erickson’s 5th theme for dealing with the problem of evil

Answer 17

God as the victim of evil – The incarnation is the sign that God has taken the effects of evil and sin upon Himself. Because Jesus came to earth and was subjected to evil, God can be understood as being a fellow sufferer of evil.

Question 18

Describe Erickson’s 6th theme for dealing with the problem of evil

Answer 18

The life hereafter – The Christian faith promises that there will be in part, a vindication for issues of good and evil. There will be a time of judgment, where every sin will be recognized and the godly will also be revealed.

Question 19

List and discuss the eleven Biblical terms for “causes” and “character” of sin given by Erickson in chapter XXVII

Answer 19

The terms emphasizing the causes of sin are: 
(1) Ignorance
(2) Error
(3) Inattention
The terms emphasizing the character of sin are:
(1) Missing the Mark 
(2) Irreligion 
(3) Transgression 
(4) Iniquity or lack of Integrity 
(5) Rebellion 
(6) Treachery 
(7) Perversion 
(8) Abomination

Question 20

Define the biblical terms emphasizing the causes of sin

Answer 20

(1) Ignorance – While some things done in ignorance can at times be innocent in the sight of God, there are other points of ignorant actions for which one is culpable. The latter would fall under willful ignorance, which is that people could have known the right course to follow but chose to know it.
(2) Error – There are more references to the sin of error because it is human tendency to go astray and to make mistakes. The sins the Bible generally terms as error refers to what simply ought not to have been done; one should have known better, and was responsible to inform one self.
(3) Inattention – A failure to listen and heed when God is speaking, or disobedience following upon failure to hear right.

Question 21

Define the term “Missing the Mark” to emphasize the character of sin

Answer 21

Missing the Mark - usually suggests a mistake rather than a willful, consciously chosen sin.

Question 22

Define the term “Irreligion” to emphasize the character of sin

Answer 22

Irreligion – Often refers to irreverence, injustice or the absence of righteousness.

Question 23

Define the term “Transgression” to emphasize the character of sin

Answer 23

Transgression – Always carries the implication that that some law or command has been violated

Question 24

Define the term “Iniquity or lack of integrity” to emphasize the character of sin

Answer 24

Iniquity or lack of Integrity – A failure to fulfill or maintain the just law of God. The basic concept implies a deviation from the right course.

Question 25

Define the term “Rebellion” to emphasize the character of sin

Answer 25

Rebellion – A failure to believe God’s message, particularly when it is openly and specially presented, is outright disobedience and rebellion against God.

Question 26

Define the term “Treachery” to emphasize the character of sin

Answer 26

Treachery – The sin of treachery is a breach of trust that occurs when his people betray him through infidelity.

Question 27

Define the term “Perversion” to emphasize the character of sin

Answer 27

Perversion – Is the sin that bends and twist the truth in a manner that is unrighteous and unworthy. Perversion occurs when sin has so deeply altered the condition and character of the sinner.

Question 28

Define the term “Abomination” to emphasize the character of sin

Answer 28

Abomination – These are sins that are particularly reprehensible to God. These sinful practices virtually nauseate God.

Question 29

The questions of evil

Answer 29

If God is willing to prevent evil but he is unable he is impotent.
If God is able but unwilling he is malevolent.
If God is willing and able, where does evil come from.