1. Medieval Philosophy

2. History of Medieval Philosophical Theology
Abrahamic Religions – Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Athens and Jerusalem – religious philosophers
Christian: St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas
Jewish: Philo of Alexandria, Moses Maimonides
Islamic: Al-Farabi, Avicenna, Averroes
Literal vs. symbolic interpretation of scripture
Natural (philosophical) (vs. Revealed theology)
“concept” of God
proofs for the existence of God
Argued against “disproofs” of God’s existence

3. Abrahamic Concept of ‘God’
Philosophical attributes
Ruler/Creator of the Universe
One (monotheism)
Transcendent, eternal “I am.”
Omnipotent (creation ex nihilo)
Omnibenevolent (“all good”)
Omniscient (all-knowing)
Revealed attributes (Christian)
Lawgiver to Humankind
Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
Savior (first Israel, then Gentiles)

4. Does God* exist? Philosophical Arguments
Proofs vs. existence
Proofs for existence
Argument from evil
Argument from conflict of human freedom and divine omniscience
Argument from incoherence of concept of God
Ontological argument
First Mover
First Cause
Necessary Being
Design Argument

5. Argument from Evil (Epicurus)
If God exists, there would be no evil* (suffering of innocents).
Being all good he would not want it
Being all powerful he could prevent it
But evil exists.
Evil caused by moral agents [examples?]
Evil caused by non-moral agents, i.e. nature [examples?]
Therefore God does not exist.

6. Theodicies ‘Weaker’ theodicies
Punishment theodicy: evil is justified punishment of sinful man (Adam and Eve)
God's ways theodicy: God has his own ways, which are beyond human understanding
Satan: evil is caused by Satan (the Devil)
Afterlife theodicy: evil in this life is not important, compared to the blessings of the world to come
‘Stronger’ theodicies: do they refute the AE?
Free will theodicy (Augustine/Hick): evil is caused by human free will, which would not be possible if God prevented evil caused by moral agents
Soul-making theodicy (Irenaeus/Hick): evil is necessary for moral growth, which would not be possible if God prevented evil