• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Randal Rauser

Home of progressively evangelical, generously orthodox, rigorously analytic, revolutionary Christian thinking (that's what I'm aiming for anyway)

  • About
  • Books
  • Articles
    • Articles (single)
    • Articles (in series)
  • Audio/Video
    • Audio Interviews, Lectures, and Debates
    • Video Interviews and Lectures
    • Powerpoint Slides
  • Blog
    • Current Posts
    • Blog Archives
  • Podcasts
    • The Tentative Apologist Podcast
    • Archived Podcasts
    • Reviews

greater goods

Turning the tables on the problem of evil

August 15, 2019 by Randal

Today, I had an extended back and forth with atheist video blogger (and actor) Scott Clifton. I wanted to post one bit of the exchange here because I address a very common type of question about the problem of evil. Clifton: Can you name a good—any good—that can’t be brought about by an omnipotent being […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: atheism, greater goods, problem of evil, Scott Clifton, theodicy

Can violence ever serve a redemptive purpose?

August 31, 2018 by Randal

Rene Girard was a literary critic and theologian who developed a very influential non-violent reading of the atonement. According to the penal substitution model of atonement, God the Father reconciles us to himself through the violent death of his innocent son who absorbs the divine wrath properly owing to us. In direct opposition to this […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: atonement, greater goods, problem of evil, redemptive violence, Rene Girard

How much evil could God allow for a greater good?

April 29, 2011 by Randal

In “Does God ever visit Ronald McDonald House?” I asked a question that crushes me. But as a Christian theist how can I not ask it? A few responses from the skeptics in our midst were, as I expected, incredulous. For example, Ray replied with the following: “The good of consolation is only a runner-up prize […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: God, greater goods, problem of evil, providence, theodicy

The intrinsic value in learning to be good

November 30, 2010 by Randal

JD is sympathetic to my view of evil as being redeemed in God’s good universe, but he has a reservation: “The Book of Revelation foretells a future existence in which there will be all these marvelously rich things like life and sentience and mind but with no death, sorrow or crying. If God is able […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: free will defense, greater goods, moral evil, natural evil, problem of evil, theodicy

Could God command evil for a greater good?

November 28, 2010 by Randal

Silverbullet presents two scenarios: Scenario 1: God allows Fred to kill Suzie because of some greater good but the killing of Suzie is nonetheless evil. Scenario 2: God commands Fred to kill Suzie as a devotional act of commitment to God which leads to some greater good, but the killing of Suzie is nonetheless evil. […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: child sacrifice, greater goods, problem of evil, providence, theodicy

Footer

Against Malaria Foundation

Against Malaria Foundation

Support Kiva

Support Kiva

Search this website

Archives



Copyright © 2023 • Randal Rauser • A Steady Site