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[[Image:Ron2.jpg|right|thumbnail|150px|Dr. [[Ron Rhodes]]]]

[[Image:Ron2.jpg|right|thumbnail|150px|Dr. [[Ron Rhodes]]]]

[[Theodicy]] is the branch of study in theology and philosophy that defends the goodness of God despite the existence of evil.<ref>Encarta Dictionary - [http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861719540/theodicy.html "theodicy"]</ref> In traditional Christianity and Judaism the book of [[Job]] is used to explain the existence of evil. In recent times [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] often cite [[Alvin Plantinga]]'s free will defense in regards to the logical problem of evil.<ref>Xenos Christian Fellowship - [http://www.xenos.org/essays/evilpo.htm The Problem of Evil]</ref><ref>Dr. Scott H. Moore - [http://www3.baylor.edu/~Scott_Moore/handouts/free_will_defense.html Comments on Alvin Plantinga's "Free Will Defense"]</ref> The work of [[St. Augustine]] is also cited in regards to theodicy.<ref>Stand to Reason - [http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5124 Augustine on Evil]</ref> Dr. [[Ron Rhodes]] of [[Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministry]] states regarding this issue regarding the existence of evil:  

[[Theodicy]] is the branch of study in theology and philosophy that defends the goodness of God despite the existence of evil. In traditional Christianity and Judaism the book of [[Job]] is used to explain the existence of evil. In recent times [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] often cite [[Alvin Plantinga]]'s free will defense in regards to the logical problem of evil.<ref>Xenos Christian Fellowship - [http://www.xenos.org/essays/evilpo.htm The Problem of Evil]</ref><ref>Dr. Scott H. Moore - [http://www3.baylor.edu/~Scott_Moore/handouts/free_will_defense.html Comments on Alvin Plantinga's "Free Will Defense"]</ref> The work of [[St. Augustine]] is also cited in regards to theodicy.<ref>Stand to Reason - [http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5124 Augustine on Evil]</ref> Dr. [[Ron Rhodes]] of [[Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministry]] states regarding this issue regarding the existence of evil:  

{{cquote|...it is impossible to distinguish evil from good unless one has an infinite reference point which is absolutely good. Otherwise one is like a boat at sea on a cloudy night without a compass (i.e., there would be no way to distinguish north from south without the absolute reference point of the compass needle).

{{cquote|...it is impossible to distinguish evil from good unless one has an infinite reference point which is absolutely good. Otherwise one is like a boat at sea on a cloudy night without a compass (i.e., there would be no way to distinguish north from south without the absolute reference point of the compass needle).