The Problem of Evil - Key Words Flashcards
Moral Evil
Evil done as a result of human choices
Non-Moral Evil
Evil, such as found in nature, which owes nothing to human choice. e.g earthquakes
Suffering
Another term for non-moral evil
Natural Evil
Any evil that arises in nature without reference to human agency, e.g earthquakes
Inconsistent Triad
God is all-powerful, so he could prevent evil.
God is all-loving so he would want to prevent evil
Yet evil exists
How is it possible that these claims be true?
Deism
The belief that there is a God who created the Universe but had no further interest in or connection with its affairs
Abrahamic Religions
Judaism, Islam and Christianity, they trace their history back to the ancient figure of Abraham
Theodicy
An attempt to justify the goodness of God given the fact of evil
Heresy
An opinion, viewpoint or practice at variance with established teaching, particularly of a Church or religion
Soul-deciding theodicy
Any theodicy, such as that of Augustine, which sees evil as a test of goodness and faithfulness to God
Omnipotence
Literally ‘all-powerful’. In relation to God, this is understood to mean his ability to perform any possible action
Original Sin
Universal tendency to commit evil
Pelegianism
A heresy from the fifth century, denies the original sin and believes we attain heaven by our own unaided efforts, we do not depend on god
William Temple would call it ‘the only intrinsically damnable heresy’
Dysteleological
Something that serves no purpose