God and the problem of evil : five views

Author

Additional Author(s)

• Meister, Chad
• Dew JR., James K.

Publisher

Illinois: IVP Academic, 2017

Language

English

ISBN

9780830840243

Series

Spectrum multiview books

Subject(s)

• GOD (CHRISTIANITY)
• GOD AND EVIL-RELIGIOUS ASPECTS
• THEODICY

Notes

. . Index: p.185-196

Abstract

Evil abounds. And so do the attempts to understand God in the face of such evil. The problem of evil is a constant challenge to faith in God. How can we believe in a loving and powerful God given the existence of so much suffering in the world? Philosophers and theologians have addressed this problem countless times over the centuries. New explanations have been proposed in recent decades drawing on resources in Scripture, theology, philosophy, and science. God and the Problem of Evil stages a dialogue between the five key positions in the current debate:
• Phillip Cary: A Classic View
• William Lane Craig: A Molinist View
• William Hasker: An Open Theist View
• Thomas Jay Oord: An Essential Kenosis View
• Stephen Wykstra: A Skeptical Theism View
According to the classic position, associated especially with the Augustinian tradition, God permits evil and suffering as part of the grand narrative of divine providence to bring about the redemption of creation. Molinism modifies the classic view by adding God's middle knowledge to the picture, in which God has knowledge of what creatures would do in all possible worlds. Open theism rejects the determinism of the classic view in favor of an account of God as a risk-taker who does not know for sure what the future holds. Essential kenosis goes further in providing a comprehensive theodicy by arguing that God cannot control creatures and thus cannot unilaterally prevent evil. Skeptical theism rejects the attempt to provide a theodicy and instead argues that, if God exists, we should not expect to understand God's purposes. Edited, with an introduction, by Chad Meister and James K. Dew Jr., God and the Problem of Evil hosts a generous and informative conversation on one of the most pressing issues in the Christian life.

Physical Dimension

Number of Page(s)

196,p.

Dimension

23 cm.

Other Desc.

ill.

Summary / Review / Table of Content

Part 1: Perspectives on the problem of evil --
A classic view / Phillip Carey --
A Molinist view / William Lane Craig --
An open theist view / William Hasker --
An essential Kenosis view / Thomas Jan Oord --
A skeptical theist view / Stephen Wykstra --

Part 2: Responses --
The classic response / Phillip Carey --
The Molinist response / William Lane Craig --
The open theist response / William Hasker --
The essential Kenosis response / Thomas Jan Oord --
The skeptical theist response / Stephen Wykstra.

Exemplar(s)

#	Accession No.	Call Number	Location	Status
1.	01805/17	231.8 God	Library - 7th Floor/CLC	Available