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The problem of evil & the problem of God

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Taking up the "Christian" conversation on suffering and on God's role therein, D.Z. Phillips tears to pieces all of our familiar theodices (attempts to explain and defend God's role in producing or allowing the suffering as an all-knowing, all-powerful being). He is particularly severe in his criticism of Christian philosopher Richard Swinburne, not because Swinburne is the originator or main proponent of these widely-held views, but because Swinburne happens to be a well-respected academic who represents this line of thinking. For example, Phillips lambastes Swinburne for making a claim such as "When God allows pain into our lives, it is ultimately for our own good, as it contributes to our character development", and then defending the claim with such a facile analogy as "a parent allows their child to suffer through an unpleasant dental appointment for the eventual greater good of their having intact teeth".

"Try applying this or any of the other common explanations of human suffering to such a horror as the Holocaust", Phillips challenges, "and see how the result is horrific-- contributing to the suffering and dehumanization of the victims rather than healing it."

In this book, D.Z. Phillips stares evil in its ugly face, managing neither to cower away, nor to explain it away. It can become very difficult to dwell in these pages and stare at evil alongside him.

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Availability

160807230

235.4 PHI p

Z. HANDIMAN

Available

Detail Information

Series Title

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Call Number

235.4 PHI p

Publisher

Minneapolis : Augsburg Publ. House., 2005

Collation

xiv,280p.; 22 cm.

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

0-8006-3775-5

Classification

235.4

Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

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Subject(s)

DEVILS, SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Specific Detail Info

E/v

Statement of Responsibility

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