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Quaestor
Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 58
Location: Chorleywood UK
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 Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:29 am Post subject: THEODICIES |
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Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, he is wicked. If God can abolish evil, and God really wants to do it, why is there evil in the world? — Epicurus
Why has no one ever produced a satisfactory theodicy ?
Dennis
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rgoode
Site Admin
Joined: 24 May 2007
Posts: 46
Location: Tysoe, Warwickshire
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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You are certainly not one to duck the big questions Dennis!
Theodicy is an immensly important area and has been the focus of attention throughout the centuries, as your post indicates. However, this is really straying into theological rather than biblical territory and as such slips outside the purview of this site.
_________________
Richard Goode
(SYNEIDON Research Project)
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Quaestor
Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 58
Location: Chorleywood UK
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:15 am Post subject: |
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I agree, Richard. Perhaps instead I should invite comments on Isaiah 45:7
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].
Dennis
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True54Blue
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:02 am Post subject: |
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Dennis,
As a general comment it would be helpful if you read things in context rather than grabbing verses willy nilly from here and there. Isaiah is making an overall point regarding the authority of the Israelite God. In contrast to the gods of the nations which each had an area of control (light OR darkness; well-being OR calamity/evil) the God of Israel is Lord over all things. He even uses enemy kings such as Cyrus to do his bidding (45:1).
The Bible is very clear that God did not create evil but that it is a consequence of the fall of Adam and Eve stemming from humans enjoying free will. C.S. Lewis has written extensively on this subject and as you seem to enjoy reading his work I would suggest that you turn to his words once again.
Tom
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Quaestor
Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 58
Location: Chorleywood UK
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:49 am Post subject: |
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Tom,
What have tsunamis to do with free will ? Don't insurance companies call them "acts of God" ?
Dennis
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True54Blue
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:10 am Post subject: |
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I can't argue with insurance companies.
Tom
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