Description
Book SynopsisReligious thinkers in the Christian theistic tradition have tried to resolve the problem of evilhow a wholly good and omnipotent God could allow there to be evilby offering a theodicy. This book considers three traditional theodicies and the objections they have elicited: Leibniz's best of all possible worlds theodicy, the free will theodicy, and an Irenaean type of theodicy. It also considers metatheodicies and limited theodicies.However, this book departs from traditional religious thinking by presenting and treating religious approaches to evil that do not confront evil through the religious problem of evil. Primary among the three religious approaches to evil that are presented is the approach of Job-like belief. Such an approach embodies Job's acceptance of evil as what God has given, expressed in his rhetorical Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2.10). The various elements of Job-like belief that are internally required for its approach
Trade ReviewWhat if, as many people hold, evil as well as good comes from God? "God's evil" then invites a question: What should we say now about God's own moral character, including divine goodness? Kellenberger offers an engaging, informed response, bearing on theodicy, forgiveness, mystery, lessening evil, Job's notorious situation, and related topics. All readers will benefit from his probing and forthright examination of God, evil, and goodness. -- Paul K. Moser, Loyola University Chicago
God's Goodness and God's Evil is a bold contribution to both scholarly and religious approaches to the problem of evil in light of a robust affirmation of a vision of God rooted, especially, in the Book of Job. This is a novel, important, even brilliant contribution that will engage scholars and readers who struggle with the reality of evil and God. -- Charles Taliaferro, St. Olaf College
Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I 1.The Recognition of Evil and the Religious Problem of Evil 2.Natural and Moral Evil and Religions Without the Problem of Evil 3.The Uses of the Problem of Evil and its Religious Role 4.Two Arguments Against the Existence of God that Do Not Rely on the Problem of Evil 5.Approaches to the Problem of Evil: Leibniz’s Theodicy 6.Approaches to the Problem of Evil: the Free Will Theodicy 7.Approaches to the Problem of Evil: the Irenaean Type of Theodicy 8.Approaches to the Problem of Evil: Issues and Criteria for Theodicies 9.Approaches to the Problem of Evil: Metatheodicies and Limited Theodicies 10.Approaches to the Problem of Evil: Aesthetic Goodness Part II 11.Approaches to Evil: Job-Like Belief 12.Approaches to Evil: Lessening Evil 13.Approaches to Evil: Forgiveness 14.Sources of Evil, the Subtlety of Evil, and Evil and Relativism 15.Mystery 16.God’s Goodness Conclusion
