In "An Essay On Man" Alexander Pope seeks to justify God to man by discussing man's pride, the existence of evil, and submission. His viewpoint is a traditional Christian perspective. Pope's opinions are congruent with the teachings of the New Testament, and he effectively argues his beliefs.
Pope ascertains that men irrationally believe that their thought and reason is above God's. He is addressing those who cry that God is unjust because we suffer and don't receive everything we want. He writes, "Ask for what end the heav'nly bodies shine, / Earth for whose use? Pride answers, `Tis for mine'" He is saying that men in their pride mistakenly believe that everything God created was for mankind. This pride further inhibits our view of God because men then reason that if we are not happy then God is unjust. Pope explains that the very act of calling God unjust demonstrates our own pride and arrogance. "Snatch from the hand the balance and the rod, / Rejudge his justice, be the God of God!" In this statement he is declaring the stupidity of man in thinking that we have the right to judge Him and are wiser than Him. .
Pope also argues that the existence of evil does not mean that God is unjust. One does not preclude the other. Pope denies that anything in it of itself is evil. He states, "self love, to urge, and Reason, to restrain/ this a good nor that a bad we call". This is in line with Christian theology which states that good is not the opposite of evil. Evil is the perversion of good. He believes that God is all-knowing and has all wisdom. Therefore what God allows in man (their sinful nature) is right.
Pope encourages man to submit to God's greater wisdom and understanding. He believes that man is better off relying on God's reason than on his own. Pope insists that men should not question God, but we should submit to His authority, and one day all will be explained. "Hope humbly then.
