GCSE Religious Studies
Aim and Objective
Response to the Problem
of Evil and Suffering
(c) Explain how Christians may respond to the problem of evil and suffering [8]
(c) Explain how Christians may respond to the problem of evil and suffering [8]
Do you remember?
How can evil and suffering be a problem for people who believe in the existence of God?
What is the problem?
Do you remember?
Problem of evil and suffering for religious believers
Do you remember?
How would some Christians believers respond to the problem?
Where does Evil and suffering come from?
A Solution to the Problem of Evil and Suffering?
CHRISTIANITY -Where does evil and Suffering come from?
Theodicy of Saint Augustine
What does “Theodicy” mean? Theodicy is an argument that tries to defend God in the face of evil and suffering in the world
Who was Augustine? Philosopher/Christian thinker (354-430 AD). He was bishop in Hippo Regius in North Africa
Augustine has several explanations for why suffering exists. These are his main arguments.
The Fall and Free Will
Theodicy of Saint Augustine
Absence of goodness
God has created good – when “good” not evident in the world, we call it "evil“. The absence of good is what we call evil. God has created goodness, but when it is not evident in the world, we label those events as "bad/evil" The lack of goodness in the world is what we call "evil"
Think - what do we call the absence of light?
Think - what do we call sweet absence?
Think - SO what do we call the absence of goodness?
Does emptiness exist?
"There is no evil, only no good"
Theodicy of Saint Augustine
Theodicy of Irenaeus
Who was Irenaeus? Bishop in Lyon, France (130-202AD) Christian thinker/philosopher
Irenaeus' ideas are based on his interpretation of Genesis 1:26
‘God said, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness"'
People come into the world in the "image" of God. Human life (and suffering) in the world is seen as a way of improving and perfecting our souls to become in the “likeness" of God (i.e. to be closer to God and more like him!) When people come into the world, they are far from God. They are meant to use life's experiences as a way of becoming closer to God and to unite with him by the time they leave the world. We are meant to mature spiritually; sufferings helps us do this.
God’s image
God’s likeness
Story of Job
Other solutions to the problem of evil and suffering
The story of Job is a story in the bible about a rich man who is tested by God and Satan:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwijmLCQxOOKAxV0X0EAHV9aIP4QtwJ6BAgYEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4zyaQ2iCwe8&usg=AOvVaw1sVXzZrU6RnJBD7xxV6jae&opi=89978449
Other solutions to the problem of evil and suffering
It is the devil/Satan who creates evil and suffering, not God
Other solutions to the problem of evil and suffering
Duality - you have to experience two extremes in order to fully understand and appreciate things in life.
Evil and suffering must be experienced in order to appreciate goodness - light/dark, sweet/bitter, good/bad
Dualism
good/bad
sweet/bitter,
light/dark
God has created goodness - when goodness is not evident in the world, we call it "evil" “Evil” is the absence of good.
Sometimes God makes things difficult for us. Evil and suffering is a test from God to see if we stay faithful.
Evil came into the world because Adam and Eve took the fruit from the tree. Suffering came into the world as a punishment from God
The freedom that people have to do good or bad deeds. People create evil and suffering, not God
Evil and suffering must be experienced in order to appreciate goodness - light/dark, sweet/bitter, good/bad
It is the devil who creates evil and suffering, not God
Suffering helps people to perfect/develop the soul. Suffering strengthens the soul so that we can reach heaven when we die - "no pain no gain"
CHRISTIANITY -Where does evil and Suffering come from?
Match the term to the explanation
- Perfecting the soul, Absence of Good, Free Will, The Fall,
Devil, Job Story, Dualism
God has created goodness - when goodness is not evident in the world, we call it "evil" “Evil” is the absence of good.
Sometimes God makes things difficult for us. Evil and suffering is a test from God to see if we stay faithful.
Evil came into the world because Adam and Eve took the fruit from the tree. Suffering came into the world as a punishment from God
The freedom that people have to do good or bad deeds. People create evil and suffering, not God
Evil and suffering must be experienced in order to appreciate goodness - light/dark, sweet/bitter, good/bad
It is the devil who creates evil and suffering, not God
Suffering helps people to perfect/develop the soul. Suffering strengthens the soul so that we can reach heaven when we die - "no pain no gain"
CHRISTIANITY -Where does evil and Suffering come from?
Match the term to the explanation
- Perfecting the soul, Absence of Good, Free Will, The Fall,
Devil, Job Story, Dualism
Attempt to answer the question- REMEMBER that you are explaining
(You would have about 8 minutes in an exam)
(c) Explain how Christians may respond to the problem of evil and suffering [8]
Your second religion
(c) Explain how Christians and ________________ may respond to the problem of evil and suffering [8]
Where does the evil of suffering come from?
Your second religion – ________________________________