2. “There is a problem about why God allows evil, and if the
theist does not have… a satisfactory answer to it, then
his belief in God is less than rational.” (Swinburne)
Nature of evil = natural/moral
3. Philosophical problem: God’s attributes vs. evil and
suffering
Theological problem: Does this mean God does not
exist?
Logical impossibility
Inconsistent triad
4. God did not make a perfect world, evil has a part to play
and will be overcome eventually, allowing perfection in
heaven
“God’s image” (Gen. 1:26) to God’s likeness, Gen. is
metaphorical
John Hick: “soul making” and goodness of robots =
valueless, God must be at epistemic distance, Peter
Cole: “The presence of evil helps people to grow and
develop.”
Natural evil allows us to develop compassion,
free will = moral evil
5. Maintains God’s attributes: evil and suffering are
chances for humans to become perfect
Suffering will be compensated for as humans will be
perfect in heaven
God loves humans, he gave us the chance to become
his likeness
6. If everyone goes to heaven, there is no motivation to do
good
Why is the process of perfection taking so long?
Good can develop without suffering, and end doesn’t
justify means
7. A.N. Whitehead, David Griffin
God is not omnipotent and did not create ex nihilo.
He is a co-sufferer, and started the evolutionary process
He can guide humans but not control us
He is developing too
8. Reality is continuous so there are endless possibilities
God is a co-sufferer so he is accessible
Maintains omni-benevolence
9. Griffin: “God is responsible in the sense of having urged
the creation forward.”
Doesn’t explain what God’s nature is, does not maintain
his attributes.
Is a limited God worth worshipping?
If God is benevolent, he should not have created the
world.
