The problem
What is natural evil?
Evil that is not morally brought about, but rather brought about through nature
What is the FWD?
Christian concept that G-d allows evil to exist to allow humans to rationalise between good & bad, and to ultimately allow them to choose to do good.
Whose doctrine does Hick reject?
St Augustine
What Biblical concept does Griffin reject
The concept of 'Ex Nihilo'
How is Hick's theodicy compatible with Jewish views?
It fits with the concept of the Messianic Age being the age when all evil will cease
What is moral evil?
Evil that results from a human act
Who attacks the FWD?
A set of 'orders' or 'layers' that describe how free will is implemented in our lives
Which doctrine does Hick support - soul deciding or soul making?
Soul making
How is the relationship between G-d and the universe described (two words)
Panentheistic relationship
What is the difficulty about committing to the god that Griffin describes?
Can one worship a limited god?
What is the inconsistent triad?
If evil exists alongside G-d, then G-d is either not omnipotent (as He cannot stop it) or G-d is not omnibenevolent (because He doesn’t stop it).
On what basis is the FWD rejected?
On the grounds that it is possible for humans to make free, good choices every time. G-d could have created humans to do this. That He did not do so means He is therefore not omnipotent or omnibenevolent. Therefore G-d a) lacks power, b) lacks love or c) does not exist.
Whose doctrine does Hick support?
St Irenaeus
If god is not transcendent, what logical conclusion does Griffin draw about evil & god?
god cannot eliminate evil, just experience it in some way
What is the assumption (perhaps false) that philosophers make about the problem of evil?
That they can define and explain evil
What is the evidential problem of evil?
There is evil in the world, and the sheer amount of it along with the seeming purposelessness
Who defends the FWD?
Platinga
What is epistemic distance?
The deliberate 'gap' between our reality and knowledge of G-d
What risk does Griffin suggest god takes about humanity?
That humanity will overcome evil
What is the (perhaps unanswerable) question posed on all theodicies?
Does the amount of suffering justify free will?
What is one response to the evidential problem of evil?
a) Evil is part of G-d’s plan and His omniscience. b) Evil can cause suffering but some suffering is good e.g. vaccinations, c) ultimate freedom is worth the evil it can allow
What is the defence of the FWD?
Possibility of 3 worlds 1) Morally significant free will (the world as it is), 2) No morally significant free will but G-d causes good choices 3) Morally significant free will and G-d causes good choices. Only world 1 allows for true free will.
What is an eschatological view?
A view that takes into account what happens at the 'End of Days' i.e. death or Messianic Age
What other power exists/existed other than god according to Griffin?
Chaos
Which Jewish Book is perhaps the closest to looking at theodicy?
The Book of Job