REL 101REL 101 Introduction to Religion Introduction to Religion

Session 11bSession 11b

EvilEvil

How are the following concepts How are the following concepts dealt with in the book of Jobdealt with in the book of Job

DualismDualism Appeals to SovereigntyAppeals to Sovereignty The Promise of HopeThe Promise of Hope

Approaches to Understanding Approaches to Understanding EvilEvil

DualismDualism Is the belief in two supreme but opposed Is the belief in two supreme but opposed

powers or god, or sets of divine or powers or god, or sets of divine or demonic beings, that caused the world demonic beings, that caused the world to exist.to exist.

ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism Two competing spirits: Spenta Mainyu Two competing spirits: Spenta Mainyu

(good) and Angra Mainyu (bad)(good) and Angra Mainyu (bad)

Approaches to Understanding Approaches to Understanding EvilEvil

The Sovereignty of GodThe Sovereignty of God No punishment could ever match the No punishment could ever match the

evil done.evil done. Since God is greater than man, there is Since God is greater than man, there is

no way that humans can understand no way that humans can understand evil.evil.

The Promise of HopeThe Promise of Hope God will bring relief from evil through God will bring relief from evil through

a Messiah or savior.a Messiah or savior. Generally there is an afterlife in which Generally there is an afterlife in which

one is freed from the evil of this life.one is freed from the evil of this life.

Approaches to Approaches to Understanding EvilUnderstanding Evil.

The Story of JobThe Story of Job