Strengths

• Augustine uses a convincing analogy to support the idea that evil is not a substance 

  • ANALOGY: Blindness is not a substance but an absence of sight 

• Augustine argued that many things considered evil are like blindness in that they are the absence of something good

There seems something right that free-will would justify some evil 

• Philosopher Robert Nozick argued we’d rather live a real world with free-will than a perfect virtual world.

Weaknesses

John Hick: There are scientific problems ideas about Original Sin 

• The Augustinian Theodicy argues that God allows evil to continue to exist because it is punishment for Original Sin 

• But Hick has noted that this contradicts scientific views about evolution 

Friedrich Schleiermacher: How can perfect beings go wrong? 

• Schleiermacher also questions Augustine’s idea that humanity was created perfect and then went wrong

• He argues that if something is perfect, it cannot stop being perfect 

Strengths

Hick avoids the problems of the Augustinian Theodicy 

• Hick avoids the scientific problem by arguing that God create the world in two stages and that we are evolving into morally perfect beings. 

• Furthermore, he also avoids the problem of how perfect beings go wrong as he argues that we are not created perfect 

His justification of natural evil is very persuasive 

• Hick argues that God allows natural evil to create an epistemic distance from him and give us free-will 

• This is convincing as people do behave better when being watched 

Weaknesses

Eleanor Stump: There is too much evil in the world ▪ 

• She argues that Hick’s theodicy would only justify a minimum amount of evil and the world contains too much 

  • EXAMPLE: The Holocaust 

Not all suffering leads to people becoming better people 

• Hick uses the term the “vale of soul-making” to argue that the experience of suffering helps us because morally better people

•  But this isn’t always the case. Some suffering appears not to make people better but actually makes them bitte 

Strengths

Realistic Answer to the Problem of Evil:

•  Process theology removes the logical problem of evil by redefining God’s power. According to this view, God does not have the omnipotent control to prevent evil directly. Instead, God works through persuasion and influence, allowing free will to play a role in human actions.   Having a "fellow-suffering who understands" is a better 

Emphasis on Persuasive Power: 

• Process Theology replaces the incoherent and morally-unattractive God who is impassible and unilateral in power with a God who loves his creatures, suffers alongside them and evolves over time. Such a God is not discredited by evil and suffering in the Bible or in real life. 

• Process theology emphasizes God’s persuasive power rather than coercive control. God “lures” humans toward goodness but cannot force them. This approach maintains the moral goodness of God while acknowledging the existence of evil1. 

Fits with Hume’s View: 

• Process theology aligns with philosopher David Hume’s perspective that evil is incompatible with an omnipotent God. By rejecting omnipotence, it avoids the conflict between God’s love and the reality of evil2.

Human Free Will: 

• Process theology allows for genuine human free will. God does not predetermine human actions, ensuring that individuals have the freedom to choose1.

God’s Evolving Nature: 

• In process theology, God is everlasting and exists within time. This changeable God can react to events in the universe, making the relationship more reciprocal. Moreover, this God is evolving toward perfection, not yet fully perfect.

Weaknesses

God’s Limited Power: 

• The God of process theology cannot abolish evil or prevent wicked actions directly. Instead, God persuades and influences. Critics argue that this approach isn’t a proper theodicy because it doesn’t fully address the problem of evil1.

Evidential Problem of Evil: 

• Some question whether having a world with suffering is better than having no world at all. If God’s persuasion leads to greater evil, why doesn’t God intervene?.

Risk in God’s Strategy: 

• If humans can reject God’s persuasion toward good, there’s a risk that human existence could end in catastrophic destruction.

Lack of Omnipotence: 

• While process theology’s God is powerful, the lack of omnipotence may make some people view this God as unworthy of worship.

• The Bible declares God's unchanging nature: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The Bible is clear that God's plans do not change according to the whims of men (Psalm 33:11). But process theology does not consider the Bible to be inspired. 

• Process Theology only solves the Problem of Evil by changing the definition of God. The God of Process Theology is too weak to answer prayers and cannot even be viewed as the Creator of the Universe; he is not a saviour-God and there's no room in such a religion for faith through revelation.