Why is there Evil?

Question 1

Evil

Answer 1

Corruption of what is good

Question 2

False Dilemma

Answer 2

A dilemma that is created by limiting solutions. This dilemma is defeated by showing a possible alternative solution.

Question 3

Forgiveness

Answer 3

The free act of laying aside one’s claim for retribution and the like

Question 4

Free will defense

Answer 4

A possible answer offered against the logical problem of evil. According to this defense, God created human beings with free will so as to choose to do evil. Thus, humans, not God, are morally responsible for moral evil.

Question 5

Good

Answer 5

The standard by which to make moral judgements of the way the world ought to be. In Christian theo, God is good in that the trinity provides the standard by which to measure right relationship.

Question 6

Heaven

Answer 6

In traditional Chrisitan Theo, the place or state to which repentant sinners go after physical death, the essential component of which is to be in the presence of God.

Question 7

Hell

Answer 7

In traditional Christian Theo, it normally signifies the place or state to which unrepentant sinners go after physical death, the essential component of which is to be in the relational absence of God.

Question 8

Humanism

Answer 8

The belief that man takes the place of god in deciding morality

Question 9

Moral argument

Answer 9

1) If God does not exist, objective moral values and duties do not exist
2) Objective moral values and duties do exist
3) Therefore God exists

Question 10

Morality

Answer 10

Principles concerning the distinction between good and evil, right and wrong. Although technically distant, this word is virtually synonymous to “ethics” today.

Question 11

Objective Moral Duties

Answer 11

Moral obligations that exist outside of human opinion. In Christian Theo, our duties are established by God’s commands

Question 12

Objective Moral values

Answer 12

Good and evil that exist outside of human opinion. In Christian Theo, the standard of good and evil is rooted in God’s nature (as opposed to God’s commands)

Question 13

Satan

Answer 13

The name of the prince of evil, Heb - Satan, Greek - Satanas, means basically ‘adversary’ (the word rendered, eg Numbers 22:22)

Question 14

Sin

Answer 14

Willful rebellion against God’s design and authority

Question 15

Supra-positive Law

Answer 15

“The law above the law”. A transcendent law to which all human laws are bound. Natural law is often considered a supra-positive law.

Question 16

Theodicy

Answer 16

An answer to the question, “why does God allow evil?” This is an answer that purposes to be an actual answer as opposed to a merely possible answer.

Question 17

Epicurus

Answer 17

Ancient Greek philosopher (341-270 BC) who was a key figure in the hedonistic school of thought

Question 18

Dr. Reaksa Himm

Answer 18

Christian author (1963-) and survivor of the Cambodian killing fields. In 1977, at the age of 14, he watched his entire family get massacred by the Khmer Rouge, Later he made his way to Canada where he became a Christian and attended seminary. Since then, he returned to Cambodia to find the killers and offer them forgiveness. Author of “The Tears of my Soul” and “The Heavy Rain”.

Question 19

Euthyphro

Answer 19

A character in the writings of Plato (his ‘dialogs’). He is challenged by Socrates to give a definition of piety, during which Socrates formulates what is known as the Euthyphro dilemma:
“It is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?” The challenge can be put like this:
1) Is something good because God says it’s good? If this is the case, can God change his mind?
2) Or, is something good therefore God says it is good, If this is the case, God can’t change the good, however, regardless, goodness would be independent of God.
Christianity’s answer to this false dilemma is to show a third option: God’s decrees are good because God is good and God cannot change his nature.