Last 3 questions from Video Review

Here are the last 3 questions and answers we didn't get to finish in class on Tuesday.

3. How do differing worldviews view the existence of evil?
Christianity is not the only worldview that must deal with existence of evil and suffering. Every worldview must explain its existence. Naturalism, which purports that only the physical world exists, sees no meaning behind evil. For the naturalist, evil is just bad luck. Another worldview that must deal with problem of evil is transcendentalism. This worldview purports that the physical world and everything in it is just an illusion. Thus, evil and suffering become mere illusions; some may also see it as the result of karma. Lastly, theistic worldviews purport that both the natural and supernatural exist. The theist must argue that God has allowed evil for some purpose.

4. What are some bad solutions to the problem of evil? Why are these solutions problematic?
There are at least four bad solutions to the problem of pain and suffering:

Fideism—asserts that the dilemma should be ignored This position is problematic because it merely closes its eyes to the problem. Christians and unbelievers alike desire to understand evil and suffering. This position ultimately redefines our ability to know God.
• Illusionism—purports that evil does not exist This position is problematic because it flies in the face of what every human being knows to be true—humanity experiences evil and suffering. This position ultimately redefines either the evil or the world.
• Finitism—proposes that God cannot control all evil This position is problematic because it limits God’s abilities. This position ultimately redefines God’s power in relation to his creation.
• Transmoralism—asserts that God is beyond moral categories This position is problematic because it paints God as unjust. According to this position God can allow and/or commit evil and suffering and at the same time be innocent. Human beings, on the other hand, are held to a higher standard and are subject to judgment when they commit evil acts. This position ultimately redefines God’s goodness.

5. What is the biblical resolution to the problem of evil and suffering?
The problem of evil and suffering is a very complicated issue. It cannot be answered in a truncated fashion. When considering the dilemma of how a good God and evil can coexist, it is helpful to consider the issue of time in three forms: past, future, and present.
Past—According to the Christian worldview, when God formed the universe he considered his creation good. However, Adam and Eve freely choose to disobey God. This disobedience resulted in a fallen world and a fallen race. That is, neither mankind nor nature exists today as God originally intended it to. Thus, we have moral evil (man-caused) and natural evil (non-man-caused). This is the Christian explanation for the existence of the evil and suffering. However, it does not explain how evil can exist with a good God. If God could do anything and were truly good, then wouldn’t he thwart all evil and suffering? Christians fully believe he could do so, but in regards to moral evil, human beings would no longer be free agents. That is, God would be directing us. Just as it is difficult to image a good God existing with evil, it is equally difficult to image a good God that allows human choice. If all our actions were determined to be good (or at least not evil), then how could human beings ever be considered good?
Future—The Bible informs us that although creation has fallen, it will someday be restored and evil be destroyed; fallen humanity will one day be redeemed. In fact, we are told that the end will be even better than the beginning. And a world redeemed is better than a world that had never fallen.
Present—Also unique to the Christian worldview is its view of the present. According to Scripture we have a God that does not merely allow suffering; he also suffered with us and even for us.