Human Free Will and The Question of Evil - Lecture Notes PDF

Human Free Will and The Question of Evil Fray Mhark Dominic M. Macaranas, OADs Mr. John Dominic Masacote  Luke 4:1-13: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil…” (4:1-2)  Catechi...

Human Free Will and The Question of Evil Fray Mhark Dominic M. Macaranas, OADs Mr. John Dominic Masacote  Luke 4:1-13: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil…” (4:1-2)  Catechism of the Catholic Church 1730-1748: “God willed that man should be left in the hand of his own counsel, so that he might of his own accord seek his Creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection…” (CCC 1730)  Pope Benedict Spe Salvi nos. 33-36 “Suffering is not simply a random or unnecessary evil. It is an experience that has been taken on by God himself in the person of Jesus Christ and transformed…” (Spe Salvi No. 33)  St. Augustine on Grace and Free Will “Free will, then, is the faculty of willing the good freely, and its corruption is the misuse of that faculty…” (On the Free Will)  LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1.Understand St. Augustine’s views on evil and free will. 2.Explore the relationship between temptation, free will, and moral responsibility using Luke 4:1-13.  LEARNING OUTCOMES: 3. Examine how the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and Pope Benedict XVI’s Spe Salvi address free will and evil. 4. Integrate Augustine’s ideas with contemporary Catholic teachings to develop a comprehensive understanding of free will in the context of evil.  The central issue: Reconciling human free will with the existence of evil.  LESSON OUTLINE: 1.Introduction to the Problem of Evil and Free Will 2.Biblical Context: Luke 4:1-13 3.St. Augustine’s Understanding of Evil and Free Will  LESSON OUTLINE: 5.Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1730-1748) 6.Pope Benedict XVI’s Spe Salvi 7.Integration and Reflection The Problem of Evil and Free Will A. The Problem of Evil 1. Moral Evil: Resulting from human actions, such as cruelty, injustice, and dishonesty. The Problem of Evil and Free Will The Problem of Evil 2. Natural Evil: Suffering caused by natural events, such as earthquakes, diseases, and other natural disasters. The Problem of Evil and Free Will B. Free Will and Moral Responsibility Free Will: Definition: Free will is the capacity to choose between different courses of action unimpeded. Importance in Moral Frameworks: For many philosophical and religious traditions, free will is essential for the authenticity of moral choices. The Problem of Evil and Free Will B.Moral Responsibility Role in Ethical Systems: Moral responsibility implies that individuals are accountable for their actions, particularly those that cause harm or reflect moral failings. The Problem of Evil and Free Will  Key Concepts: 1. Evil as Privation: Augustine’s concept that evil is a privation of good. 2. Free Will: The role of free will in moral decision-making.  Biblical Context: Luke 4:1-13 Reading and Analysis: Text Overview: Luke 4:1-13 describes the temptation of Jesus in the desert. After fasting for forty days, Jesus is tempted by the devil in three specific ways: 1) turning stones into bread, 2) gaining all the kingdoms of the world, and 3) testing God by throwing Himself off the temple.  Discussion Points: Human Free Will: 1. Freedom to Choose: Jesus’ response to each temptation illustrates the exercise of human free will. His choices highlight the importance of using free will aligned with divine principles.  Discussion Points: Human Free Will: 2. Moral Decision-Making: The temptations present choices that could lead to misuse of power or faith. Jesus’ decisions show His commitment to higher moral values over personal gain.  Discussion Points: Temptation: 1.Nature of Temptation: The temptations are designed to exploit human weaknesses. Each temptation challenges Jesus to use His power for selfish ends rather than divine purposes.  Discussion Points: Temptation: 2. Resistance and Obedience: Jesus’ responses are rooted in Scripture and divine obedience. St. Augustine’s Understanding of Evil and Free Will  Key Concepts: A.Evil as Privation: In his book Confessions, St. Augustine articulates his view that evil is not a substance or entity in itself but rather a privation or absence of good.  Key Concepts: A.Free Will: In The City of God, St. Augustine elaborates on his views regarding free will, emphasizing its critical role in moral responsibility and its relation to divine providence and grace.  Discussion Points: A. Evil as Privation: “I am not saying that a thing is called evil simply because it lacks being; but that it is called evil because it is a privation of that good which ought to be present” (Confessions, Book VII, Chapter 8).  Discussion Points: A. Evil as Privation: “For, if evil were a substance, there would be two substances, one good and one evil. But since there is only one good, all things that exist are good to some extent” (Confessions, Book VII, Chapter 10).  Discussion Points: B.Free Will: 1. Free Will and Moral Responsibility: “It is not the fault of the Creator that free will is misused, but rather the fault of the creature who abuses it” (The City of God, Book XIV, Chapter 11).  Discussion Points: B. Free Will: “It is not the fault of the Creator that free will is misused, but rather the fault of the creature who abuses it.” (The City of God, Book XIV, Chapter 11)  Discussion Points: B. Free Will: 2. The Role of Free Will in Sin: “Man is the master of his own will; it is a power of his nature, not a gift of divine grace.” (The City of God, Book IX, Chapter 5)  Discussion Points: B. Free Will: 3. Free Will and Divine Providence: “God does not coerce the will but rather permits the free will to choose and thus the will's choice is accounted for by divine justice.” (The City of God, Book XIII, Chapter 8)  Discussion Points: B. Free Will: 4. Free Will and Grace: “The will is not free to achieve the good by itself; it needs the assistance of divine grace.” (The City of God, Book XV, Chapter 10) Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1730-1748)  Key Sections: 1. Human Freedom: CCC 1730-1748 discusses the nature of human freedom, moral responsibility, and grace. 2. Free Will and Grace: St. Augustine’s teachings.  Discussion Points: A. Free will, Moral Responsibility, and Grace in the CCC. 1. Free Will: Is the capacity to choose between different courses of action. It is integral to human nature and essential for making meaningful moral decisions (CCC 1730).  Discussion Points: A. Free will, Moral Responsibility, and Grace in the CCC. 2. Moral Responsibility: It arises from the exercise of free will. Individuals are accountable for their actions based on their choices and intentions (CCC 1742).  Discussion Points: A. Free will, Moral Responsibility, and Grace in the CCC. 3. Grace: Is the divine assistance given by God to help individuals make good choices and live a life aligned with divine will (CCC 1996).  Discussion Points: B. Integration. 1. Free Will and Moral Responsibility: Free will is the basis for moral responsibility; Moral responsibility is grounded in the freedom to choose rightly or wrongly.  Discussion Points: B. Integration. 2. Grace and Free Will: Grace complements free will by providing the divine support needed to choose good over evil. It strengthens the will and guides individuals toward ethical behavior and spiritual growth.  Discussion Points: B. Integration. 3. Grace and Moral Responsibility: Grace enhances the capacity to fulfill moral responsibilities by aiding individuals in making virtuous choices and overcoming the inclination to sin.  Discussion Points: B. The CCC building on St. Augustine’s ideas.. 1. Augustine laid the groundwork for understanding free will, moral responsibility, and grace. His ideas emphasize the importance of human choice and the necessity of divine assistance.  Discussion Points: B. The CCC building on St. Augustine’s ideas.. 2. The CCC integrates these ideas into a comprehensive theological framework that includes detailed teachings on how free will operates within the context of divine providence and moral law. It also provides a more developed understanding of how grace functions in relation to human freedom and moral action.