Theodicies
Philosophical and theological responses attempting to reconcile the existence of evil with God's omnipotence and omnibenevolence. Major theodicies include Augustinian (evil as privation, human free will), Irenaean (evil as necessary for moral development), Hick's soul-making theodicy, and process theology. Each attempts to show why an all-good, all-powerful God permits evil.
Real World
After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami killed 20,000 people, Japanese theologians debated whether Buddhist or Christian theodicies better explained such catastrophic natural suffering — showing theodicy as a live global conversation.
Exam Focus
Structure 'evaluate theodicies' answers by testing each against a specific type of evil; this systematic approach signals the analytical thinking that reaches Level 4–5.
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