Lecture Notes: The Augustinian Theodicy

Introduction

• Lecturer: Mr. McMillan
• Topic: The Problem of Evil - Augustinian Theodicy
• Purpose: To justify God, explaining how evil and suffering are compatible with God's nature as all-good and all-powerful.

Background

• St. Augustine of Hippo: 4th-century Christian Theologian and Philosopher.
• Theodicy: Combination of Greek terms, meaning to justify God.

Key Concepts of Augustinian Theodicy

God's Creation

• Perfect World: Augustine asserts God, being perfect, created a perfect world.
• Genesis Reference: Garden of Eden signifies a world without moral or natural evil.
• Evil as a Privation: Evil is not a creation of God but rather an absence or lack of good ("privation of good" or "privatio bon").

Role of Free Will

• Free Will: Given to humans and angels; misuse leads to evil.
• Adam and Eve: Their disobedience resulted in the absence of good.
• Wickedness: Defined as turning away from the higher (God) to the lower.

Consequences of Disobedience

• Fall of Man: Introduction of moral and natural evil due to human sin.
• Original Sin: Shared responsibility for evil and suffering by all humans.

God's Goodness

• Loving Yet Just: God is loving but fair, permitting consequences of sin.
• Redemption: Through Jesus’ sacrifice, redemption and eternal life offered.
• Perfection of Universe: Despite suffering, the universe is ultimately perfect.

Criticisms of Augustinian Theodicy

Logical Contradiction

1. Perfect World Gone Wrong: Schlemacher argues against the concept of a perfect world going wrong.

Human Nature

2. Perfect Beings Choosing Wrong: Questions how beings created perfectly could choose evil.

Creation Narrative

3. Validity of a Perfect World: Challenged by scientific and historical evidence (evolution, Tennyson's nature).

Reality of Suffering

4. Evil as Privation: Criticized for downplaying the reality of suffering and grief.

Conclusion

• Summary: Augustine's theodicy posits that evil is a result of human disobedience, not created by God, but allowed by Him to offer redemption.

Additional Information

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