Evaluating Theodicies: A Comparative Assessment

Evaluating Theodicies: A Comparative Assessment

This final lesson brings together the major theodicies and critical perspectives studied throughout this course, providing a systematic comparative evaluation. For AQA A-Level Religious Studies, the ability to evaluate and compare theodicies — weighing their strengths and weaknesses, identifying shared assumptions and fundamental disagreements, and reaching a reasoned conclusion — is essential for achieving the highest grades. This lesson provides the framework for that evaluation.

The Central Question

All theodicies address the same fundamental question: how can the existence of evil and suffering be reconciled with the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient, and wholly good God? The different theodicies offer radically different answers, and each carries distinctive strengths and weaknesses. The key question for evaluation is: which approach, if any, provides a satisfactory response to the problem of evil?

Comparing the Major Theodicies

The Augustinian Theodicy

Core claim: Evil is the result of the free rebellion of created beings (angels, then humans) against God. The world was originally perfect but fell into corruption through sin.