Christianity and suffering
I can explain the philosophical challenge posed by the existence of evil and suffering and different Christian perspectives on the origin of evil.
Christianity and suffering
I can explain the philosophical challenge posed by the existence of evil and suffering and different Christian perspectives on the origin of evil.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Evil is often divided into two types: moral evil, caused by human actions, and natural evil, caused by nature.
- The logical problem of evil argues evil makes it impossible for an all-powerful and all-loving God to exist.
- The evidential problem of evil says that the scale of suffering makes it unlikely that such a God exists.
- Augustine’s theodicy explains evil as the result of human free will and the Fall.
- John Hick’s soul-making theodicy says suffering helps people grow in virtues like compassion and courage.
Keywords
Evil - that which is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong
Free will - the ability to make choices voluntarily and independently
Soul-making - the belief that God allows suffering so that humans can grow spiritually
Suffering - pain or distress caused by injury, illness or loss
Common misconception
All Christians believe human nature is fallen.
Some Christians, such as Catholics, believe original sin affects human nature, but they also believe we have free will. Other Christians, like Quakers, reject the idea of a fallen nature and believe suffering comes from how people use their freedom.
To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Christianity and suffering, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Christianity and suffering, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Issues of Good and Evil unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A is a deliberate choice to go turn focus away from God.
Q2.What does teleology consider when deciding if an action is right?
Q3.Why might Christians not always agree on what is morally right?
Q4.According to Jesus (as recorded in Matthew), what else matters besides actions?
Q5.Which statement best describes deontology?
Q6.Which philosophical view says that what is good and bad is dependant on the situation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to the correct definitions.
that which is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong
the ability to make choices voluntarily and independently
pain or distress caused by injury, illness or loss