Article Title
Abstract
Evolutionary theodicies attempt to explain how innocent suffering, death, and extinction seen throughout the evolutionary process of evolution can coincide with believing in a loving God. Since Darwin, scholars have questioned the importance of studying natural selection at such an intricate level. With the knowledge of natural selection, the fact that great suffering is witnessed across nature permits doubts in discussions regarding a benevolent God that created the universe. In this paper, I begin with background information about evolution, theodicy, and how they are related. I look at two major perspectives: the belief that evolution ameliorates the theodicy problem or that evolution exacerbates the theodicy problem. After comparing these two opposing views, I critique the position that evolution is a gift to theology. At the conclusion of this paper, evolution will be seen as an aid to explain the innocent suffering witnessed in the world.
Recommended Citation
Schoonmaker, Houston
(2017)
"The Evolutionary Theodicy Problem,"
Dialogue & Nexus: Vol. 4, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/dialogue/vol4/iss1/3
Included in
Biology Commons, Christianity Commons, Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, Evolution Commons, Metaphysics Commons, Other Philosophy Commons, Other Religion Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
