Active learning ideas
The Problem of Evil is perhaps the most powerful challenge to theistic belief. Students distinguish between the logical problem (the inconsistency of God and evil) and the evidential problem (the sheer amount of suffering). They evaluate theodicies, attempts to justify God's permission of evil, from Augustine, Irenaeus, and John Hick.
Activity 01
Stations are set up for Augustine, Irenaeus, and Hick. At each station, students read a summary of the theodicy and must come up with one 'moral' and one 'logical' objection based on a provided case study of suffering.
Are the existence of God and the existence of evil logically incompatible?
Activity 02
Students debate which version of the problem is harder for a believer to answer. One side argues that the logical problem is solved by free will, while the other argues that the 'amount' of suffering (evidential) remains unanswerable.
Does the sheer amount of suffering provide evidence against a loving God?
Activity 03
Groups map out Alvin Plantinga's Free Will Defense. They must identify the exact point where Plantinga argues that even an omnipotent God cannot create a world with free creatures who never do evil.
How successful is the soul-making theodicy?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
The problem of evil proves God doesn't exist.
It only points to a logical contradiction or a lack of evidence. Active 'claim-testing' helps students see that a philosopher can acknowledge the problem without reaching a definitive atheist conclusion.
Natural evil (like earthquakes) is always caused by human sin.
While Augustine suggested this, modern theodicies like Hick's argue natural evil is necessary for 'soul-making'. Using a 'consequence map' helps students see how different theodicies account for non-human suffering.
Methods used in this brief
The Nature of Religious Language
An introduction to the debate over whether religious language is meaningful. Students will distinguish between cognitive and non-cognitive uses of language in theology.
8 methodologies
Verification and Falsification
Students apply Ayer's verification principle and Flew's falsification symposium to religious claims. They will explore responses from Mitchell and Hare.
8 methodologies