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Problem of Evil (Augutsine Theodicy (Augustine's theodicy was…
Problem of Evil
Augutsine Theodicy
Augustine's theodicy was influenced by his earlier Manichee beliefs that the world was divided into forces of Good and Evil.
Augustine argued that evil is a 'privatio boni', or absence of good, and not a force in it's own right.
He thought variety is part of the rich goodness of God's creation. If things are varied then naturally some things will have more abilities and strengths than others.
Augustine believed that God created angels, who were varied in the characters.
Some angels recieved less grace than others and so were less able to worship God without falling into sin.
Some angels recieved less grace than others and so were able to worship God without falling into sin.
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The sin was so catastrophic that it corrupted the natural world as well as the human soul. Natural and moral evil came into the world.
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Criticisms of Augustine
The idea of evil as just an absence of good does not seem an adequate explanation of terrible crimes, genocides and natural disasters.
Augustine fails to explain adequately why the angels and then humanity fell from grace if they were created perfect - surely there would have been no temptation, and they would not have given in to it.
Augustine's theodicy calls into question the omniscience and wisdom of God, if God did not anticipate the misuse of free will.
It calls into question the omnipotence of God, if God could not simply undo the damage that had been done
Augustine's theodicy depends on a literal belief in angels and a belief that the Fall was an historical event, which can be difficult to beliefs for people in the twenty-first century.
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Natural and moral evil
Natural evil is said to be that which causes suffering but does not come from any human wrongdoing, for example many diseases and extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes and floods.
Moral evil is said to be that which causes suffering as the result of human wrongdoing, for example murder, war and poverty.