theodicy

theodicy Definition

the·odi·cy (t̸hē äd′ə sē)

noun pl. theodicies -·cies

the theological discipline that seeks to explain how the existence of evil in the world can be reconciled with the justice and goodness of God

Etymology: Fr théodicée: coined by Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1710) < Gr theos, god + dikē, justice

theodicy Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

irenaean: The Irenaean theodicy justifies evil as being soul making, while the Augustinian form puts evil down to the exercise of human free will.

Modifies a noun

question: This atheism is profoundly theological, for the theodicy question -- " If there is a good God, why all this evil?
problem: In other words, is the form of Old Testament complaint unnecessary for linguistically mastering the theodicy problem today?

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