Problem of Evil, an Orthodox Solution

Summary

In this video, David Arhan explores a unique Orthodox Christian perspective on the problem of evil, arguing that the existence of evil is not contradictory to an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God. He clarifies misconceptions about omnipotence and explains that human beings, made in God's image with free will, are destined to encounter evil. Arhan suggests that evil is a natural outcome of human freedom and the pursuit of virtue, and that God's purpose in creation is to share goodness and love, not to prevent evil.

Takeaways

• 📖 The video discusses a unique solution to the problem of evil from the perspective of the Orthodox Church.
• 🧐 The problem of evil is the contradiction between the existence of an omnipotent and omnibenevolent being and the existence of evil.
• 💡 Omnipotence is defined as the ability to actualize what has potential, not the ability to do anything conceivable.
• 🚫 Evil is considered a privation of good, not a thing in itself, and thus God cannot create what is impossible, like a married bachelor or a one-sided paper.
• 🌟 The video suggests that the existence of humans, made in the image of God, inevitably leads to the occurrence of evil due to their free will.
• 🔄 Free will is the ability to choose between multiple goods, not simply between good and evil.
• 👤 Man is created in the image of God, which is static, but becomes perfected in the likeness of God through virtuous actions.
• 🛑 The likeness of God is lost after sin, highlighting the importance of personal choice and action in achieving likeness to God.
• 🔄 Virtue is likened to excellence in a craft, which is achieved through practice and experience.
• 🍃 The paradox is that man must be perfect to follow God's commandments, but to be perfect, he must follow God's commandments.
• 🌐 The purpose of creation is to share in God's goodness and love, and evil is not part of God's plan but a result of human choice.

Q & A

What is the unique solution to the problem of evil discussed in the video?

The unique solution discussed in the video is rooted in Orthodox Christian theology, suggesting that the existence of evil is not contradictory to an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God because evil is a result of human free will, which is a reflection of God's own free will.

How does the video redefine omnipotence in the context of the problem of evil?

The video clarifies that omnipotence does not mean the ability to do anything conceivable, but rather the infinite actualization of what has potential. God cannot make the impossible happen, such as ceasing to exist or creating a married bachelor.

What is the difference between being created in the 'image' of God and the 'likeness' of God according to the video?

Being created in the 'image' of God refers to the inherent nature and attributes that humans receive from God, which is static. The 'likeness' of God, on the other hand, is dynamic and refers to becoming virtuous and living as God lives, which is achieved by following God's commandments and will.

Why does the video argue that evil is inevitable if humans are created in the image of God?

The video argues that because humans have free will, which allows them to choose between multiple goods, they will inevitably make choices that lead to evil. This is part of the process of becoming perfect in the likeness of God through the practice of virtue.

How does the video connect the concept of virtue with the problem of evil?

Virtue is connected to the problem of evil by suggesting that humans must practice virtue to become like God. This practice involves making choices and experiencing failure, which can lead to evil. However, through this process, humans can ultimately achieve perfection in the likeness of God.

What is the chief purpose of God's creation according to the video?

The chief purpose of God's creation, as discussed in the video, is to share in God's goodness and love with other beings, which is why humans were created in the first place.

Why does the video reject the idea that humans were created to be tested by evil?

The video rejects the idea that humans were created to be tested by evil because it suggests that God's creation was not for the purpose of testing but to participate in God's goodness. Evil is a consequence of human free will, not the purpose of creation.

How does the video address the question of whether God should prevent evil if He can?

The video addresses this by stating that if humans are created with free will, evil is inevitable and cannot be prevented without negating the purpose of creation. It argues that God's creation of humans is inherently good, and evil is a choice made by humans, not a failure of God's plan.

What are the main criticisms of the Free Will defense against the problem of evil as presented in the video?

The video criticizes the Free Will defense by suggesting that defining free will as the choice between good and evil is suspect. It also questions whether God would have free will under this definition and whether the saints in heaven would have free will.

How does the video's argument relate to the Augustinian theodicy?

The video's argument relates to the Augustinian theodicy by agreeing that evil is a privation of good and not created by God. However, it goes further by explaining why God cannot prevent evil due to the nature of human creation and free will.