The Concept of Evil

Rejecting miracles scientifically

• Many scientists argue that nature is a closed system with fixed casual laws
• If nature is created by God, is God directly responsible for earthquakes and other natural evils?
• If God prevented it, this would indicate the world was not made perfect
• If God could but did not intervene, we would question his goodness

Counter argument

• Ignores effects of human free will/sin
• Augustine’s Theodicy moral and natural evil is blamed on humans musing free will
• Indicates that God may choose to intervene at times but is not morally obliged to clear up our mess

In defence of a literal belief in miracles

• Christians seen miracles as a way of God revealing his power and miracles go against natural law
• God punishes the wicked and helps the righteous in the Bible
• Does this solve or add to the problem of evil?
• Evil, Christians contend, will be defeated by God on the return of Christ and goodness will triumph
• We are part of the plan and although it makes no sense now, it will in the future
• We ought not to question God’s purpose and workings

Counter argument

• This is neither verifiable or falsifiable

In defence of miracles as symbolic stories

• Rudolf Bultmann saw the stories in the NT as later additions to inspire us to be good/follow God
• Miracle accounts should be read symbolically
• They teach God’s power/Jesus’ nature
• So, God does not literally intervene in people’s lives in an arbitrary manner so eases the problem of evil question and the question of fairness
• BUT, is the lack of divine intervention because God cannot help OR because he chooses not to help?

Counter argument

• Wouldn’t the stories have more effect and impact if they were true?