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Cognitive Dissonance And Cosmic Conflict: A Rules-Of-Engagement Framework For Thinking About Prayer, Providence, And Evil, John C. Peckham
Cognitive Dissonance And Cosmic Conflict: A Rules-Of-Engagement Framework For Thinking About Prayer, Providence, And Evil, John C. Peckham
Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)
Many Christians experience severe cognitive dissonance when they try to reconcile belief that God is wholly good (omnibenevolent) and all-powerful (omnipotent) with the suffering and evil in this world. Would not anyone who is loving and kind and who is powerful enough to do so, act to prevent the horrible suffering in this world? This article attempts to address such cognitive dissonance by offering a rules-of-engagement framework for thinking about the problem of evil and the related issues of providence and prayer. Regarding providence, many ask why God does not act to prevent evils more often, or does so some …