God's Goodness and God's Evil

(Hardback)

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Religious 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: Leibnizs 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 Jobs 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 to evil are critically examined, and it is seen how a Job-like approach to evil neither seeks nor requires a resolution to the problem of evil. The other two religious approaches to evil, as opposed to the problem of evil, are the effort to lessen evil in the world and the practice of forgiveness, both of which are compatible with each other and with a Job-like acceptance of evil, with which they can be combined. Also treated in this book are mystery and Gods goodness. Accompanying every theodicy is mystery (in its religious sense as that which is beyond human understanding), and the experience of the mystery of Gods goodness shining through the world and through evil is embodied in Job-like belief.

Reviews

What if, as many people hold, evil as well as good comes from God "God's evil" then invitesa question: What should we say nowabout God's ownmoral character, including divine goodness Kellenberger offers an engaging, informed response, bearing on theodicy, forgiveness, mystery, lessening evil, Job's notorioussituation,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

Author Bio

James Kellenberger is emeritus professor of philosophy at California State University, Northridge.