The tough-love proposal : a novel theodicy

Abstract

In this study, we reviewed the literature concerning the problem(s) of evil and found that, while there is a consensus that the logical problem of evil as raised by J. L. Mackie has been successfully addressed by Alvin Plantinga’s “Free Will Defense,” the evidential problem of evil as argued by William Rowe has yet to be resolved. The various solutions suggested by recognized scholars (e.g., John Hick and Richard Swinburne) have not met with broad acceptance. Most of the efforts to resolve the problem have been focused on Rowes’ factual premise (i.e., there are gratuitous evils). This approach has been fraught with difficulties and uncertainties as the determination of “gratuitousness” may be “beyond our ken.” Instead, this research aims to challenge Rowe’s theological premise (i.e., God prevents all gratuitous evils) by supplying a morally justifying reason (i.e., “tough-love) for God to exist in the presence of evil (gratuitous or otherwise). We also endeavor to stay within the bounds of Christian orthodoxy in affirming that God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and the omnibenevolent creator of the universe. As Rowe insisted on keeping the discussion within the narrow confines of Restricted Standard Theism (i.e., an Omnigod creator without other religious claims), in the section for non-theists, we introduce a “Tough-love Proposal” that does not rely on biblical or religious literature. As humans deny God’s existence, God lets them go their own way (resulting in good and evil) and in “tough love,” waits patiently for them to respond to his message of salvation as proclaimed by the Church and the Holy Spirit. The evils in this world (gratuitous, excessive, horrendous . . .) are strictly the results of people living independently from God. Rowe’s argument that the presence of “gratuitous” evils makes God’s existence improbable is answered by the commonsense notion of “tough love” as often used in the restoration of broken relationships. The numerous requirements advocated by scholars for a “successful” theodicy are shown to be met by the “Tough-love Proposal,” using findings from other fields of knowledge (e.g., economics, psychology . . .). As God does not act in the same way toward believers and non-believers, in the section for theists, following the historical-grammatical method of hermeneutics (i.e., interpretation using lexical data, grammatical data, historical and cultural backgrounds, near and broader contexts), we apply Christian Scriptures and show that God promises that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28), thus negating the possibility of gratuitous evils in (faithful) believers’ lives. The question raised by theists and non-theists concerning the creation of humans with “free will and no possibility of sinning” is answered by the “simplicity” of God, logically preventing him from creating a creature sharing the divine impeccability. Additionally, we propose some theories concerning the “world of death” (i.e., our world with the “survival of the fittest”) and the world of life (i.e., a new heaven and a new earth). In God’s sovereignty, we are free to choose the world/path that we desire.