Problem of Evil, Lesson 3 In this lesson we address the second aspect of the logical problem of evil, the inductive or probabilistic problem. How does the probabilistic problem differ from the deductive problem? What are three ways to answer the probabilistic problem of evil? What is logically wrong with the belief that an omnipotent and all good God would have created the "best of all possible worlds." What is necessary in order to establish accurately the probability of something occurring? What does the inductive problem of evil fail to take into account? Is it possible that God might have some morally good reasons or purposes for allowing evil to exist? What might those purposes be? What are two views of free will held by Christians, and how do these different views affect how those Christians address the logical problem of evil? (57 min)

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Tags: evil, free will, theodicy

Problem of Evil, Lesson 2 In this lesson we begin to explore answers to what is called the logical problem of evil. What are the two categories within the logical problem? What does the deductive problem argue? How has the deductive problem historically been addressed? How did Alvin Plantinga's seminal work help to address the deductive problem in a new way? What does the omnipotence of God not entail? Why is the fact that God cannot do logically contradictory things critical? Why could God not create a world in which morally free beings would always do good? (57 min)

After listening to a lesson, you can use the quiz questions to help you review and recall the critical points of the lesson. Download the quiz for this lesson here.

Tags: evil, omnipotence, omnibenevolence, free will, efficient cause, theodicy