theodicy

American  

[thee-od-uh-see] / θiˈɒd ə si /

noun

PLURAL

theodicies

1. a vindication of the divine attributes, particularly holiness and justice, in establishing or allowing the existence of physical and moral evil.

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theodicy British  

/ θɪˈɒdɪsɪ /

noun

1. the branch of theology concerned with defending the attributes of God against objections resulting from physical and moral evil

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Other Word Forms

• theodicean adjective

Etymology

Origin of theodicy

1790–1800; theo- + Greek dík(ē) “justice” + -y ³ ( def. ), modeled on French théodicée, a coinage of Leibniz

Example Sentences

While not a detailed discussion of theodicy, or how a good God permits evil to exist, the computer-generated response is one most Christians could understand and accept, even if follow-up questions remain.

From Washington Times

While the temblor influenced Kant’s views of theodicy, he also posited scientific theories to explain what happened.

From Washington Times

The theory that people suffer because it is part of “God’s plan” is also known as “theodicy.”

From Washington Post

I think, though, that Miranda is talking more about the omnipresence of change, and our need to interpret that change, than he is about theodicy.

From Salon

Seeing her construct her own theodicy from the simple process of observing and reasoning is like watching the passage of 2,000 years over a few months.

From Washington Post