Closer To Truth Richard Swinburne on Evil, Atonement, and Evidence Against God
Jan 15, 2025
In this insightful discussion, philosopher Richard Swinburne, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford, dives deep into the existence of evil and its relation to divine nature. He argues the significance of free will in human suffering and explores the complexities of the Trinity and love within Christian theology. Additionally, Swinburne contrasts ancient sacrifices with Christ's unique atonement, examines the implications of resurrection, and addresses the moral significance of free will in defining one's spiritual fate.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Problem of Evil as an Argument
- Richard Swinburne acknowledges the problem of evil as a potential argument against theism.
- However, he argues it's not substantial enough to refute God's existence, requiring a theodicy.
Types of Evil
- Evil is categorized into moral evil (caused by humans) and natural evil (not caused by humans).
- Examples of natural evil include droughts, famines, earthquakes, and diseases.
Free Will and Moral Evil
- God grants humans free will, allowing them to make choices for good or evil.
- This makes humans "mini-creators," impacting themselves, others, and the world.