Unit 3- Lesson 7: The Problem Of Suffering Flashcards
What does Omnipotent mean?
All powerful
What does Omnibenevolent mean?
All loving
What does Omniscient mean?
All knowing
The Inconsistent Triad– What is the inconsistent triad?
The idea is simple – all three parts of the triad cannot
be true.
If God is all loving and all powerful then evil and
suffering cannot exist.
If God is all powerful & people suffer then he doesn’t
love us.
If God is all loving & people suffer then he doesn’t
have the power to stop evil/suffering.
-Christians and Muslims disagree with this idea
Christian responses to suffering- Christians present 5 explanations as to why suffering exists. What are they?
Evil is the privation of good – suffering happens because no
good is present.
Life is a test – you need to suffer to prove you are worthy of
heaven.
Original Sin – life is harder due to Adam’s sin.
Soul making – Because people can choose to do evil
Strengthens faith – Suffering helps us to understand Jesus
‘And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.’
Muslim responses to suffering- Muslims present 4 explanations as to why suffering exists. What are they?
Al-Qadr – suffering is part of Allah’s plan – everything happens
for a reason.
Life is a test – you need to suffer to prove you are worthy of
Jannah.
Influence of Shaytan – Shaytan tempts people to do evil things
& this is why we suffer.
Good can come from suffering – Because it allows us to grow
as human beings & gives us the chance to help others.
What is free will?
the ability to make choices voluntarily & independently. The belief that nothing is predetermined.
Al-Qadr & Free Will- Allah is omnipotent & nothing happens unless he wills it – this is known as Al-Qadr (Predestination). How can everything be the plan of Allah and humans still have free will?
Most Muslims explain this by saying that:
Allah knows what you will choose before you choose it
but it is still your choice.
Humans cannot understand the plans of Allah & must
have faith in him.
