Alvin plantinga, william rowe, marilyn adams, john hick, william hasker, paul draper. John hick has written extensively concerning the problem of evil. Terms in this set 31 hicks most powerful objection. This is one philosophical work that i could hardly put down. Numerous variations of theodicy have been proposed which all maintain that, while evil exists, god is either not. Jobs complaint and the whirlwinds answer from the book of job. He says that if we had been made perfect by god, then we would be like robots, loving god automatically without thought. Selected readings has been the most widely recognized and used anthology on the subject. A new study john hick, lecturer in the philosophy of religion at cambridge university, has written one of the most serious and important studies of the problem of evil to appear in english for a lon1 itg i time. The problem of evil is one of the most discussed topics in the philosophy of religion.
John hick and the problem of evil essay example graduateway. This volume fills that need, offering the most up to date collection of recent scholarship on the problem of evil. The philosophical problem of evil is the challenge of reconciling belief in god with evil in. The christian science solution is to reject the premise that evil exists. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in philosophy and the problem of evil. There can be no doubt, then, that for biblical faith, evil is unambiguously evil, and stands in direct opposition to gods will. The opportunity is perpetually ripe because people constantly have questions they would like answered. The problem of evil is basically a theological question, but if you want to approach it in a nonreligious context then you must think existentially. John hicks response to the problem of evil is a revised form of irenean theodicy. Read this philosophy essay and over 89,000 other research documents. It would serve well for pastors, students, and small groups who are looking for a place to start their journey into this issue, or for people who are wishing to go a. The problem of evil the philosophical problem of evil is the challenge of reconciling belief in god with evil in the world. Thus peter van inwagen, throughout his book the problem of evil.
The deity of the old testament is not responsible for evil because in the story book the cause of evil is placed. Rutsviga 28 october 2010 critically expose the problem of evil. According to hick, what is the most powerful positive objection to the belief in god. Leibnizs solution to the problem of evil request pdf researchgate. Pdf it is widely held that the logical problem of evil, which alleges an inconsistency. This is a functional book that explains all the concepts very clearly without any waffle. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the authors and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions. In defining evil as a lack of good rather than a positive force, aquinas makes us absolutely responsible for our actions. The problem of evil oxford readings in philosophy 1st. It defends the probability of an omnipotent and omnibenevolent allpowerful and perfectly loving god in the face of evidence of evil in the world. Since nothing can happen apart from gods will, wisdom and power, it is clear that he has the total. The irenaean theodicy is a christian theodicy a response to the problem of evil. One very important type of theodicy, championed especially by john hick. After weeks of exploring the existence of nature of god, today hank explores one of the biggest problems in theism, and possibly the biggest philosophical question.
As a challenge to theism, the problem of evil has traditionally been poscdin the form. Of all the issues in the philosophy of religion, the problem of reconciling belief in god with evil in the world arguably commands more attention than any other. The confusion to avoid sections at the end of each chapter will be particularly useful. Certain solutions, which at once suggest themselves, have to be ruled.
You must not circulate this book in any other binding or cover and you must impose the same condition on any acquirer british library cataloguing in publication data data available library of congress cataloging in publication data van inwagen, peter. You might find that most philosophers that actually address this question within secular terms are indeed philosophers of religion and or theologians. Chapter 12 redemptive suffering as a christian solution to the problem of evil. In his laler book, evil and the god 01 love, professor hick discusses in deluil how. Part of the answer to the problem of natural evil, then, is that some such evil must be possible, and predictable, if human development toward the state of zoe is to be possible. If evil exists then god cannot be all perfectly loving. John hick discusses in his essay the problem of evil, the objections to the belief in the existence of god is the presence of evil in the world. Petersons expanded and updated second edition retains the key features of. First, he holds constant the conception of god as omnipotent and perfectly good.
The augustinian theodicy, or response to the problem of evil, begins with the. Thus peter van inwagen, throughout his book the problem of evil, frequently claims that various propositions are true for all we know, and in the detailed contents section at the beginning of his book, he offers the following characterization of the idea of a defense. Paul offers what he considers to be a particularly strong problem of evil. Evil is the result of the free acts of human agents 2.
Jul 29, 2008 theodicy, the enterprise of searching for greater goods that might plausibly justify gods permission of evil, is often criticized on the grounds that the project has systematically failed to unearth any such goods. Nov 15, 2016 of all the issues in the philosophy of religion, the problem of reconciling belief in god with evil in the world arguably commands more attention than any other. The solution to the problem of evil, or part of the. This volume fills that need, offering the most uptodate collection of recent scholarship on the problem of evil. Many people immediately respond to the problem of evil, as stated above, by saying that the problem with the argument is that it ignores free well. The judeochristian tradition affirmed that god is omnipotent, omniscient and perfectly. As such, from a probabilistic viewpoint hidden arguments will neutralize one another. In the selection hick explains a theodicy, a justification of gods goodness because of evil, the soulmaking view of life in this defense of gods way in the face of evil. Gods solution to the problem of evil murray moerman. Also by john hick and published by pal grave macmillan. Secondly, hick distinguishes the question of whether the existence of god is. He believes the occurrence of nonmoral evil in the world is a necessary condition for the ethics of choice and the process of soulmaking. May 09, 2016 after weeks of exploring the existence of nature of god, today hank explores one of the biggest problems in theism, and possibly the biggest philosophical question humanity faces.
Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. Evil is a problem, not because there is evil in the world or that there is so much of it in the world. That if god was perfectly loving, he must wish to abolish evil, and being all powerful, is able to perfectly do so as he will its. John hicks the problem of evil 2559 words bartleby. Hick argues that moral evil is a result of the mystery of free will. Problem of evil 1 problem of evil in the philosophy of religion, the problem of evil is the question of how to reconcile the existence of evil with that of a deity who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent see theism. Issues addressed include the nature of evil, the cause of evil, the intelligibility and coherence of the christian concept of god in light of evil, solutions offered by various world religions to the problem of evil, as well as representative solutions offered. Again, to solve the problem of evil by means of the theory sponsored, for example, by the boston personalist school i of a finite deity who this selection is part of chapter iii of. There are, in fact, many socalledsolutions which purport to remove the c011tr. The problem is not found in the lack of balance between good and evil in the world. Critics claim that the existence of evil is proof that the omnipotent, omnibenevolent god of the bible cannot exist. Popular problem of evil books goodreads share book. The problem of evil stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. The opportunity is perpetually ripe because people constantly have questions they.
The gospel is gods solution to the problem of evil. Evil and the god of love 289295, 340345, 369372 phil101 prof. Criticisms of hicks theodicy study guide by lovemfmndom includes 6 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. Phillips problems with evil and with god researchgate. His book, evil and the god of love, is actually his philosophical effort to come up with a plausible response to. A further question remains, however, concerning the amount and severity of evil in the world. God and the problem of evil offers a lucid, emotionally sensitive, and diverse set of essays on the problem of evil. The work of of the gospel and in those following christ in confronting and overcoming evil can be. John hicks expansion of the irenaean view in his book evil and the god of love 1966, highlights the importance of god allowing humans to develop towards maturity. On what ground does he refute the christian science solution to the problem of evil. However, the existence of evil and suffering in the world provides a challenge to the loving god of classical theism. I plantingas presentation of the free will defense is a landmark in contemporary discussions of the problem of evil. The problem of evil poses a philosophical threat to the design argument. Hicks solution to the problem of evil, like swinburnes, consists in effect in.
Augustine, in his book confessions, recognised this problem. Not a difficult read but it requires a certain amount of thought and concentration as does any work dealing with the problem of evil. Request pdf leibnizs solution to the problem of evil in issue 4, mark piper presented. The problem of evil does not overcome the gospel, rather the gospel is gods solution to the problem of evil. Richard swinburne, and john hick and argues that none of these approaches is entirely. The topic of evil offers many onramps to preaching powerful sermons and proclaiming the gospel. Esplana 7 in the final analysis, we can see that god actively decreed the existence of evil to be used for his eternal plan toward his glory. Even the book of proverbs, despite its occasional flashes of cynicism. The monotheistic god of christianity, judaism and islam assumes the divine qualities of omnipotence, omniscience and omni benevolence. Any explanation as to the origin of sin or the problem of evil must be found in the nature, actions or purpose of god as revealed therein. Solutions to the problem of evil philosophy dungeon. Theodicy, the enterprise of searching for greater goods that might plausibly justify gods permission of evil, is often criticized on the grounds that the project has systematically failed to unearth any such goods.
The dilemma of the problem of evil is, if god is perfectly loving he must wish to abolish evil. Review of the problem of evil that this would be the free response of his creatur es, the decision not to reveal himself is for god a form of riskmanagement. How does he refute the personalist school solution. But theodicists also face a deeper challenge, one that places under question the very attempt to look for any morally sufficient reasons god might have for creating a world. In book viii, chapter vii, of the confessions, augustine describes.
As such, it attempts to explain the probability of an omnipotent allpowerful and omnibenevolent allgood god amid evidence of evil in the world. It can be summarized in the following propositions. Theological systems and the problems of evil ebook 9781433517273 by john s. Hicks free will defense hicks solution to the problem of evil, as stated in a reasonable theodicy, is based on the fact that all evil is the result of humanitys exercise of free will. Lewis, god, freedom, and evil by alvin plantinga, a grief observed by c. What is the biblical solution to the problem of evil. Numerous variations of theodicy have been proposed which all maintain that, while evil exists, god is either not responsible for creating evil, or he is not guilty. The work of of the gospel and in those following christ in confronting and overcoming evil can be seen both in the work of christ and his followers. The theistic concept of god as supremely powerful, intelligent, and good makes the problem very difficult because such a being, it would seem, would make a much better world than this one. Possibly, from our limited perspective and intelligence we cannot see how the parts of the universe fit together for the total harmony of the good.
Chung phi 2011 2 march 2006 the problem of evil to some evil is necessary for. A natural answer is that god must be a person who, at the very least, is very. Dermot mcdonald, evil and the god of love by john hick macmillan, vox evangelica 5 1967. It would serve well for pastors, students, and small groups who are looking for a place to start their journey into this issue, or for people who are wishing to go a bit deeper in their reflection on god and evil. Hicks answer involves interpreting the creation story in genesis in a nonliteral fashion. I think it would be best used as a companion to a text book and as a revision aid. Its primary features, as they finally appear in hicks own solution, may be set forth. This is a response to hicks comments on my approach to the problem of religious diversity in perceiving god. And note that this is not simply a problem of natural evils, but it attends also the. This rather long page includes views about origins of life, the nature of god, the significance of innocent suffering and the hypothesis of life after death. Challenging to the solution to the poe posed by john hick. Hick evil and the god of love 289295, 340345, 369372. He begins by posing the traditional challenge to theism in the form of the dilemma.
Sep, 2010 the problem of evil is basically a theological question, but if you want to approach it in a nonreligious context then you must think existentially. The augustinian theodicy, named for the 4th and 5thcentury theologian and philosopher augustine of hippo, is a type of christian theodicy designed in response to the evidential problem of evil. Solutions to the problem of evil, theodicy, norman geisler on. Broadly stated, the problem of evil is the seeming contradiction between an allpowerful, allloving god and the human experience of suffering and evil in the world. The problem of evil cannot be solved philosophy essay. For some time, however, there has been a need for a collection of readings that adequately represents recent and ongoing writing on the topic. Essay on john hicks the problem of evil 2551 words. The basic idea here is that at least many kinds of evil are not the result of gods actions, but of the free actions of human beings. On the basis of passages in books 11 and 12 of the city of god, he. Library of congress cataloginginpublication data hicks, esther. The problem of evil arises from the paradox of an omnibenevolent, omnipotent deitys allowing the existence of evil pojman 1987. What is john hicks solution to the problem of evil answers.
852 890 1143 1487 646 203 891 1412 859 375 878 473 738 190 412 293 1486 189 324 1303 1466 1000 823 628 652 644 1064 39 734 964 381 1005 456 229