Miltons Paradise Lost and His Justification of the Ways...

By Lee A. Zito When John Milton decided to write, he knew from the start he wanted his creation to be that of an epic. Paradise Lost is just that. It is Miltons own take on the biblical story of Satans fall from grace as well as mans fall. Milton was not only armed with an extensive knowledge on the Bible, but in everything a man of his time could learn. With his wisdom he emersed himself into his work, making Paradise Lost not only a tale of epic perportions, but one that would Justify the ways of God to Man. (I 26) Even before reading Paradise Lost, I had always wondered why God allowed evil, and why he allowed death. After a while I had simply accepted that God was God, and what happens, happens. Basically an act of pure faith.†¦show more content†¦In this plan for mans salvation the end shall justify Gods means. Therefore justifing the problem of evil and reasons for allowing both sin and death to exist. This ultimate plan of Gods Milton presents in Paradise Lost is also a Greater Good Defense. Still, some might not understand why God finds it necessary to put his creations through this process. Milton shows us how this process benefits mankind who has fallen from grace, and also benefits God. This process benefits man, because man will experience truth through free will. This truth is through only through God. Discovering something on ones own is much more rewarding than simply recieving it from the beginning and because man fell he must work to gain Gods salvation through being true. Being true as in true obedience, love, honor, and faith. These works of truth are standards humanity must struggle with because of the initial fall from grace and now the problem of sin and evil. There is also the truth himself, Gods Son, who comes to humanity as its salvation, permitting them to once again achieve the grace of God. All of this considered, how does this benefit God? If we make a chart with God at the top, and follow it down through all His creations capable of free will, then we would come to three different groupings capable of free will. These are the angels of heaven, the fallen angels, and humanity. God is the Father,Show MoreRelatedInnocence or Freewill? A critique of Milton’s Theodicy Using Paradise Lost)1000 Words   |  4 Pagesand bad happenings in the world, and the reasons behind it all. In Paradise Lost, by John Milton, he attempts to present the reasoning behind all the actions on Earth, positive and negative. To fully understand though, you must learn Milton’s theodicy, or the defense of Gods goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil. (â€Å"Theodicy† Merriam-Webster) Part One Milton’s theodicy is his attempt to justify God’s ways to man. 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