The word Theodicy comes from the Greek words theos, “God” and dikē, “justice.” As its name implies, a Theodicy is essentially an attempt to justify or vindicate God’s actions. Typically, if not always, Theodicies are aimed at the age-old philosophical questions presented by The Problem of Evil. Consequently, you could say that a Theodicy is an attempt to reconcile the existence of Evil in a world designed by an omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent God.
The Problem of Evil
The Problem of Evil is a philosophical suggestion that a world containing Evil could not have been created by an all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful God. Proponents of this position argue that the attributes of the Judeo-Christian God make it logically impossible for him to create the world we see today. After all, a being who is omnipotent, omniscient, and all-good would not only be able to remove Evil from the world; he would be motivated to do so.
Theodicies attempt to explain this paradox in a scriptural and logical way.
The “Evil” discussed by the Problem of Evil can be broken down into two categories. Natural evil and Moral evil. The first covers suffering not caused by sin or human error. So things like earthquakes, illness, and shark attacks would be examples of natural Evil. Moral evils are directly connected to human actions. Consequently, things like murder, lying, or broken homes would fall into this category.
Examples of a Theodicy
Theodicies are a fascinating field of study as they attempt to answer one of the most fundamental questions of life – if God exists, why do bad things happen? Theodicies consider different philosophical perspectives ranging from free will to determinism and try to come up with explanations that can account for both human suffering and divine goodness. Additionally, theodicies offer insights into how religious beliefs shape our understanding of reality and provide a way to examine cultural attitudes toward morality.
The Free Will Defense
One of the most popular Theodicies is the Free Will Model. This perspective asserts that God has granted humans free will, allowing them to choose between good and evil. However, this ability to make our own decisions also means that individuals can cause harm to one another and the world.
Proponents of this model argue that God cannot be blamed for allowing Evil to exist since individuals are responsible for the way they use their free will. It’s also suggested that a world with free will is better than a world without it. Meaning God’s choice to include it in his world was for the greater or better good.
The Soul-Making Model Theodicy
The Soul-Making Model dates back to the writings of Irenaeus and Origen. However, it was popularized and developed by philosopher John Hick, who called his version the vale of soul-making. In his work, he suggests that adversity and setbacks play a crucial role in shaping one’s soul or character. The theory proposes that people are not created as perfect beings and must undergo life’s struggles to develop their inner selves. Consequently, Evil is necessary because we can not struggle and grow without it.
In his book, Against Heresies, Irenaeus used Jonah’s story to illustrate the growth suffering can procure.
“For as He patiently suffered Jonah to be swallowed by the whale, not that he should be swallowed up and perish altogether, but that, having been cast out again, he might be the more subject to God, and might glorify Him the more who had conferred upon him such an unhoped-for deliverance, and might bring the Ninevites to a lasting repentance, so that they should be converted to the Lord, who would deliver them from death.”
Irenaeus, Against Heresies (Book III, Chapter 20)
While we often view suffering as a negative experience, Hick argued that it ultimately leads to personal growth and transformation. Individuals learn essential virtues like resilience, empathy, and courage through this soul-making process. Thus, the Soul Making Model provides valuable insight into how humans can develop positive qualities through enduring difficult circumstances.
It should also be noted that this model assumes the existence of free will.
The Trust Argument
Another very popular argument takes the first two, combines them, and draws some original conclusions. This view is called the Trust argument.
According to Dallas Baptist University, this perspective suggests that “God designed the world in such a way that it included the possibility of evil, but that if rightly perceived, we would understand that all of it works together for a greater good.”
In essence, proponents of this view acknowledge that God could make the world more comfortable. However, they also point out that he could have made it far harsher than it is. Consequently, they suggest he designed the world as he did for reasons largely beyond our grasp.
Augustine’s Privation Theory of Evil
Augustine draws out his thoughts on God and Evil in his work, the City of God. In his view, God is the definition of good and so cannot create anything that could be considered evil. Consequently, evil things can only exist when God’s good creations choose to steer themselves away from His original design. According to Calvin University, Augustine thought, “Evil was not created by the all-good creator God, but is a move away from that good.”
As Augustine himself says,
“evil has no positive nature; but the loss of good has received the name evil.”
The City of God
Like darkness, Evil is not a thing with substance. On the contrary, it is merely a product of the absence of things with substance.
The Prosperity Gospel Theodicy
One surprisingly popular Theodicy actually comes from the auditoriums of the prosperity gospel. One of the central claims of the prosperity gospel equates suffering with faith. According to this perspective, the amount of suffering you endure is proportional to your faith. Those with little or no faith struggle financially and physically. While those with much faith receive the blessings of “health and wealth.”
According to Kate Bowler, a leading scholar studying the movement,
“The prosperity gospel is a theodicy, an explanation for the problem of Evil. It is an answer to the questions that take our lives apart: Why do some people get healed and some people don’t? Why do some people leap and land on their feet while others tumble all the way down? Why do some babies die in their cribs and some bitter souls live to see their great-grandchildren? The prosperity gospel looks at the world as it is and promises a solution. It guarantees that faith will always make a way. If you believe, and you leap, you will land on your feet. If you believe, you will be healed.”
Kate Bowler: I’m a scholar of the “prosperity gospel.” It took cancer to show me I was in its grip
Why Are Theodicies Important?
The Problem of Evil is a philosophical conundrum that everyone struggles with at some point in time. For some, the question is discovered in academic pursuits or through discussions among friends. Others ask the question as they hopelessly stare at their personal hardships. Regardless, everyone eventually looks to heaven and asks God why?! This is why Theodicies are important. They help us make sense of the human condition and God’s relation to it. Although they aren’t all appealing to everyone, many people find satisfaction in one or more.
Sources
- Kate Bowler: I’m a scholar of the “prosperity gospel.” It took cancer to show me I was in its grip
- The City of God, Augustine of Hippo, Book XI, Chapter 9
- Calvin university: Augustine Privation Theory of Evil – Emily Jiang
- Irenaeus, Against Heresies (Book III, Chapter 20)
- Theodicy: A Brief Overview – Dallas Baptist University
