The ‘Soul Making’ Theodicy

Abstract

Before continuing with any attempt to solve our problem, let me emphasize one point, the lack of appreciation of which has put many people in an unreceptive frame of mind toward what might be quite legitimate solutions to the problem of evil. One must sharply distinguish between what amounts to a logically sound reply to the challenge that the theist is faced with, the inconsistent triad ‘God is omnipotent’, ‘God is omnibenevolent’ and ‘Evil exists’ and what may constitute an effective way to console a sufferer. There are suggestions which do one and not the other. When it is convincingly pointed out to a grief stricken person that things may not be as bad as they seem, that his suffering is valuable in enriching his life by deepening his understanding of good and evil, or in ultimately bringing about other benefits to himself and others, this may alleviate his pain and ‘solve’ the problem that is troubling him but has no effect whatever on blunting the acuteness of the logical problem of evil. On the other hand a solution based on abstract but sound arguments showing that an omnibenevolent being need not do away with all suffering, is logically effective in combatting the claim that consistency demands the denial of the existence of God, but not at all effective in comforting a mourner.