Dr. Nancy A. Almodovar Phd

Faith Seeking Unspeakable Consolation: God's Providence: Solving the Problem of Evil Dr. Nancy A. Almodovar Phd

Over the centuries theologians, philosophers, pastors and layman have wrestled with the theological ?Gordian knot? of questions: If God is all-powerful (omnipotent) and all-loving (omni-benevolent) how can evil exist in the world? Well-meaning men and women have endeavored to answer this question and unravel its supposed philosophical and theological conundrum with consummate skill but mostly to no avail. What has come from these answers is essentially a partisan approach weighing the omnipotence of God against His being omnibenevolence. This has resulted in a reaction by the unregenerate person defiantly rejecting the God of the Scriptures because they see a large disparity in the responses. This dissertation will take up the challenge to unravel the ?Gordian Knot? of the Problem of Evil by changing the perspective of the question from the human view to God?s standpoint utilizing Scriptures texts which speak directly or ?by good and necessary inference? deduced from the Word of God with regard to God?s Providence over His Creation and even more so His People as taught in the Reformed Standards, Confessions and Catechisms. It is the goal of this student to demonstrate that the typical accusation against ?Calvinists? and the ?greater good defense? is in actuality a misnomer and a misunderstanding of the Reformed position. It is also the intent of this student to finally put to rest the debate upon this problem by offering the Biblical answer thereby ?solving? the whole ?problem?. This student intends to broaden the discussion of theodicies so that the reader understands that the correct approach must be God?s Glory Alone (Soli Deo Gloria). This will be explained through the doctrine of God?s Absolute Sovereignty and His Providential rule and care over His creation, His Church and His children.