The problem of evil : does open theism have a better response?
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Date
Authors
Antombikums, Aku Stephen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Open theism argues that traditional responses to the
problem of evil fail to provide comfort amidst suffering
because of their notion of metaphysical determinism and
over-dependence on Greek philosophy. Open theists
argue that the best solution to the problem of evil lies in
our understanding of the nature of God’s power, which
has been relinquished due to his love, the open nature
of creation, and the creatures’ inherent powers. This
study argues that the open-theistic notion of divine power
is reductionistic because it does not consider coercive
power as part of divine power. Further, the open theistic
logic-of-love defence propagates a loveless God who
respects his covenant with the beloved more than the
beloved. Finally, the study argues that the open theists’
notions of divine omniscience and divine power are not
viable; they raised many questions and objections and,
therefore, created room for despair rather than comfort
in adversity.
Description
This article is based on my doctoral dissertation at Vrije
Universiteit, Amsterdam (Antombikums 2022).
Keywords
Evil, Divine omnipotence, Love, Divine control
Sustainable Development Goals
None
Citation
Antombikums, A.s. 2024, ‘The problem of evil : does open theism have a better response?’, Acta Theologica, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 32-50, doi : 10.38140/ at.v44i1.7777.