Why Does Evil Exist

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Why Does Evil Exist
Throughout time philosophers have developed many theodicies to explain the “Problem of Evil,” essentially why, God, in all his capacity, would allow for evil. Most of the theodicy developed to explain this problem center on the core ideas of Augustine and Ireanean theodicy which apply the ideas of “Soul-making”, and “Free-Will”. J.L. Mackie examines the Problem of Evil, while John Hick and other philosophers propose adequate solutions to the dilemma. This term paper will review the reasoning behind the existence of evil and God simultaneously, and apply some of the solutions developed to explain it. I will then clarify which resolution seems a most logical defense in which to reflect my own beliefs.
The “Problem of Evil” …show more content…
Ireaneus, and later St Augustine, was developed from Genesis accounting per the King James Bible. In Genesis 1-3, we can find the explanation of the “soul-deciding” theodicy. The story of the beginning of mankind starts with, God creating the heavens, the earth and everything that lives. He made humankind in his image, and gave them charge over the earth; God then formed a man and gave him the garden in Eden. God told Adam he could eat of any of the garden, except for the tree of knowledge. Adam was alone so God made a woman, Eve, as his partner. The evil forces symbolized by a serpent deceived the woman; she and Adam ate from the knowledge tree. When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit they disobeyed and choose against God which led to “The Fall”. Not to be confused with a physical fall, the term relates to our fall away from the image of God in us as humans were punished by the presence of evil for all time.(KJV, genesis 1-3) This early theodicy was the beginnings of the “Free Will” theodicy. The “Free-Will” theodicy provides that God wanted us to freely love him. Therefore God needs to give us enough “Free-Will” to make choices. This free choice, allows for the possibility that we might choose against God. …show more content…
Just because we have “Free-Will” and the idea that “Free-Will” is good for us, it does not mean that we should have limitless “Free-Will.” With our “Free-Will”, we have the choice to intervene to protect others from harm. Hopefully we do, but we have the choice to help or not, and this seems poised for allowing evil. Secondly, it is fine for us to use our “Free-Will” to pick a partner, or choose dinner, but consider murder or rape. Should a responsible omnipotent being limit our “Free-Will” when it comes to unnecessary evil and suffering thus keeping us from committing such

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