Year 8 - Religious education
The devil as the cause of evil
Suffering: Can Christian theology overcome the problem of evil?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will examine the question of evil. They will look at various ways in which Christians have answered this question such as the existence of the devil, free will and the story of Job.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain Christian beliefs and teachings about the devil as a cause of evil.
Key Notes
- The devil is a rebellious being that opposes God.
- Christian teaching suggests that the devil is a fallen angel who is a source of wickedness and evil.
- Genesis 3 depicts the devil as a cause of evil and suffering through temptation leading to the first sin.
- The Gospels state that the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness.
- Many Christians believe that God is still omnipotent and omnibenevolent even though the devil causes evil.
Vocabulary To Learn
- evil: the opposite of good and a cause of suffering
- temptation: the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise
- the devil: a rebellious spiritual being who opposes God and seeks to tempt humanity to sin
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The devil is as powerful as God.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The devil is a rebellious being that opposes God. Christian teaching suggests that the devil is a fallen angel who is a source of wickedness and evil.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'evil'
the opposite of good and a cause of suffering.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The devil is as powerful as God. Correction: The devil's power is limited and defeated through Jesus' death and resurrection.
More Lessons In This Unit
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