The Thomistic Institute

The Emergence of Evil as a Theological Problem | Fr. Timothy Bellamah, O.P.

Jun 12, 2025
Fr. Timothy Bellamah, a Dominican priest and scholar, delves into the theological quandaries surrounding evil from a Christian perspective. He contrasts Judeo-Christian views with mythological interpretations, offering insight into how suffering challenges faith in a benevolent God. The discussion touches on the Gnostic duality of good and evil and examines historical responses from thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas. Bellamah also explores how the nature of evil relates to original sin and human actions, enriching our understanding of divine goodness.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Evil as a Judeo-Christian Problem

  • Evil poses a unique theological problem specifically for Judeo-Christian beliefs.
  • Non-Christian religions experience evil's reality but typically do not see it as a theological problem.
INSIGHT

God's Goodness Intensifies Evil's Problem

  • Christian belief in God's perfect goodness and omnipotence heightens the problem of evil.
  • This contrasts with mythologies where gods' flaws explain evil as part of the world.
INSIGHT

Gnostic Dualism Explained

  • Gnostic beliefs involve radical dualism, separating a spiritual good God from a material evil God.
  • This solves the problem of evil by splitting it away from the perfect good God.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app