The issue of Theodicy has bedeviled the monotheistic Judeo/Christian traditions
for centuries. As is indicated by the growing number of articles and books,
the debate is not going to fade away. In its simplest form Theodicy asks
the question, "If there is a being, God, who is all powerful, everywhere
present, all knowing, all good and loving, why is there so much evil,
suffering and pain in the world." The answers range from, "the
existence of evil is proof that such a being does not exist," to
"there is no such thing as real evil." The discussion fills
the halls of academia, the corridors of seminaries and is occasionally
addressed from the pulpit, particularly in response to tragedy. The terms
omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient are bandied about, defined and redefined.
But no one asks how one's understanding of these terms determines the
way a member or adherent of a Christian denomination or fellowship lives
her or his everyday life.
The following survey is designed, in part, to explore what individual Christians mean when they say God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. Though the survey focuses on natural evil, the following issues are brought under consideration: God's relationship to the world, whether human beings have free will, how one's understanding of creation is shaped by theodicy, whether God maintains meticulous control over creation or takes a more hands off approach, how are the terms natural evil and real or gratuitous evil understood.
The results will be published in a forthcoming monograph on theodicy. Part I will deal with hermeneutical issues. Part II will review the major schools of thought on theodicy. Part III will present the results of the survey and their relationship to the material of Parts I and II.
The survey consists of 16 demographic questions and 50 survey questions. The survey questions will take 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how long you ponder a question.
Some survey takers have reported being uneasy about marking “Don’t know”. For some of the statements the only honest answer a human being can give is “I don’t know.” No one has a 100% perfect conception of the Infinite God. The survey is meant to be thought provoking, but do not get provoked.