The Problem of Evil

1
The Problem of Evil

• Definitions and Responses

2
Four Kinds of Evil

• Physical Evil
• Natural Evil
• Moral Evil
• Metaphysical Evil

3
The Meaning of Theodicy

• Theodicy is a word composed of the two Greek
  words for God and To Justify.
• Theodicy is an attempt to justify belief in the
  existence of God in light of the evil, sin, and
  suffering in the world.
• Philosophers try to explain how God can be the
  GCB in light of the problem of evil.

4
Traditional Approaches to Answering the Problem
of Evil

• Monism Evil Is An Illusion
• Dualism Two equal and opposite powers good
  and evil
• Process Theology God does all that God can do
• The Augustinian Theodicy
• Evil as Privation
• The Aesthetic Conception of Evil (Mosaic)

5
First objection to Augustinian Theodicy

• Why didnt God make us differently?
• An Augustinian Response
• Augustine summarized his view thus for Adam,
  posse non peccare for us, non posse, non
  peccare for those in heaven, non posse peccare.

6
Second objection to Augustinian Theodicy

• If God allows evil, he is either lacking in love
  or power
• An Augustinian Response

7
The Irenaean Theodicy

• Evil as a Soul Building Exercise
• Evil as a Necessity to Build Authentic Persons

8
Two objections to Irenaean Theodicy

• Why would God choose to act in this way? Isnt
  there an easier way?
• Doesnt the Bible treat evil as a more serious
  thing than just a positive role developing moral
  persons? Doesnt this make the cross
  unnecessary?