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The Thomistic Institute
How Could a Good God Allow Evil? | Prof. Rik Van Nieuwenhove
Oct 22, 2024
In this insightful discussion, Rik Van Nieuwenhove, a distinguished professor at Trinity College Dublin, navigates the complex issue of evil in a world ruled by a good God. He examines the Thomistic perspective on divine providence, emphasizing the distinction between moral and natural evil. Rik passionately argues that suffering is not only a consequence of sin but can also serve a medicinal purpose, fostering spiritual growth. He invites listeners to reconsider how evil might play a role in a greater divine plan, enriching their understanding of faith.
43:21
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Quick takeaways
- Evil is defined as an absence of goodness, highlighting that it cannot exist independently nor be directly caused by a good God.
- Suffering serves as a means to deepen one's relationship with God, encouraging growth in faith and love beyond self-serving motives.
Deep dives
The Nature of Evil and Goodness
Evil is defined as an absence of goodness, which presents a philosophical perspective that posits that evil does not exist independently but rather relates to the good it negates. This notion is rooted in the idea that one can only understand evil in light of the goodness that is missing, much akin to how darkness is perceived in contrast to light. This leads to the conclusion that evil cannot be directly caused by a good God since everything created by God is fundamentally good. Thus, when engaging with the question of a good God in a world with evil, one must consider that the existence of evil, rather than negating God's goodness, may actually affirm the order of goodness established by God.
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