What was Augustine's approach to the Problem of Evil?

Augustine described evil as being a privation of good, that is it say that evil is not actual. When God created the world, he made it perfectly and evil did not exist, yet the Fall in the Garden of Eden led to the disordering of human priorities therefore disrupting the balance of perfection and all that is good in the universe. 

Augustine maintained that we have a choice as to whether to be good or not and whether to love or not, known as Augustine’s Soul-deciding Theodicy.

EF
Answered by Emma F. Religious Studies tutor

3340 Views

See similar Religious Studies A Level tutors

Related Religious Studies A Level answers

All answers ▸

Outline the problem of evil and one possible response to it.


What is the difference between an atheist and an agnostic?


Has the West mis-perceived Islam?


Can you outline John Stuart Mill's Theories on Utilitarianism?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning