301 CLASS : PRESUPPOSITIONAL APOLOGETICS : WEEK 8 : DEFENDING AGAINST THE PROBLEM OF EVIL
John 3:19, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”
Notes in pdf
I. The “Problem of Evil”
- Premise 1: If God were all-powerful, he would be able to prevent evil.
- Premise 2: If God were all-good, he would desire to prevent evil.
- Conclusion 1: So if God were both all-powerful and all-good, there would be no evil.
- Premise 3: But there is evil.
- Conclusion 2: Therefore, there is no all-powerful, all-good God. (p. 155, loc. 3909)
Made famous by Epicurus in 3rd century B.C.:
- If anomnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent god exists, then evil does not.
- There is evil in the world.
- Therefore, an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent god does not exist.
II. The Problem with the “Problem” of Evil and Its Solution
- Non-Theist Worldview: Evil doesn’t exist nor can be defined: “What is the difference between right and wrong, good and bad? There is no moral difference between them.” Rosenberg, Alex. The Atheist’s Guide to Reality: Enjoying Life without Illusions (p. 3).
- Christian Worldview: Evil serves the good purpose in God’s plan: Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Craig’s video
- Jesus on the cross solves the problem of evil.
III. The Freewill Defense by Dr. Plantinga
- Premise 1: God gave man the choice between good and evil.
- Premise 2: Man chose evil.
- Conclusion: Therefore, God has allowed evil for His greater purpose.
Plantinga’s videos:
IV. More Resources
- Ravi video
- Turek Debate video
- Turek student discussion about morality video
- Turek short video
- Turek lecture video
- Craig’s moral argument video
- Wyrostek on the will of God video and notes
- Flowers on Calvinism, blog
V. Review Questions
- Explain the supposed “Problem of Evil.”
- Give the two-fold defense against the problem of evil.
- Describe and defend the free-will argument for evil.