We are compelled by the theory of God's already achieved…
“We are compelled by the theory of God's already achieved perfection to make Him a devil as well as a god, because of the existenceof evil. The god of love, if omnipotent and omniscient, must be the god of cancer and epilepsy as well… Whoever admits that anything living is evil must either believe that God is malignantly capable of creating evil, or else believe that God has made many mistakes in His attempts to make a perfect being.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that attributing evil to a perfect, omnipotent deity forces one to view God as either malicious or fallible, highlighting a theological paradox.
In simple terms: If God is perfect, evil challenges that perfection.
Key Takeaway
Question the nature of divine perfection.
Themes
theology
philosophy
evil
divine nature
paradox
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- Debates on evil
- religious doctrine
- philosophical essays
- ethical discussions
Key Concepts
Omnipotence
omniscience
theodicy
free will
Questions to Reflect On
- Does evil disprove a perfect creator?
- Can imperfection coexist with omnipotence?
A Different Perspective
Assumes a monotheistic framework; not all traditions see God as omnipotent.