Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Do theodicies explain why God allows evil in the world?
Position1 of 5›

Yes, theodicies explain the existence of an all-powerful, benevolent God

This position holds that theodicies successfully explain the existence of an all-powerful, benevolent God despite evil. It argues that God is the sole perfect being, and that evil may serve a higher purpose we cannot grasp — so suffering does not contradict a loving, omnipotent creator.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. We don't know God’s plan - evil might have a higher purpose
    God, in their omniscience, knows the outcome of everything. It is possible that they permit some evil acts because to prevent them would incur greater evil or prevent greater good.
  2. Theodicies explain a loving, all powerful, benevolent God
    The theological approach of theodicy justifies the holiness and divine attributes of God. It affirms God’s ability to exist as omnipotent and benevolent while permitting moral and physical evil.
  3. God the Creator is the only perfect being in all of existence
    God is described by theists as the "perfect being"; one that is omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omnipresent, and is devoid of sin or weakness. Anything else that is not God is by definition imperfect, including anything that God creates because it is not God. Humans, despite their great capacity for consciousness, are still predisposed to act sinfully.