T&t Clark Handbook of Suffering and the Problem of Evil - (T&t Clark Handbooks) by Matthias Grebe & Johannes Grössl (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The T&T Clark Hanbook of Suffering and the Problem of Evil provides an extensive exploration of the theology of theodicy, asking questions such as should all instances of suffering necessarily be understood as evil? Why would an omnipotent and benevolent God allow or perpetrate evil? Is God unable or unwilling to reduce human and non-human suffering on Earth? Does humanity have the capacity to exercise a moral evaluation of God's motives and intentions? Conventional disciplinary boundaries have tended to separate theological approaches to these questions from philosophical ones. This volume aims to overcome these boundaries by including biblical (Part I), historical (Part II), doctrinal (Part III), philosophical (Part IV), and pastoral, interreligious perspectives and alternative intersections (Part V) on theodicy. Authors of this volume include thinkers from analytic and continental traditions, multiple Christian denominations and other religions, and established and younger scholars, providing a full variety of approaches. What unites the essays is an attempt to provide answers to these mentioned questions from the perspective of biblical testimony, historical scholarship, modern theological and philosophical thinking about the concept of God, non-Christian religions, science and the arts. The result is a combination of in-depth analysis and breadth of scope, making this a benchmark work for further studies in the theology of suffering and evil"--

Book Synopsis

This wide-ranging work provides an extensive exploration of the theology of theodicy, asking questions such as: should all instances of suffering necessarily be understood as evil? Why would an omnipotent and benevolent God allow or perpetrate evil? Is God unable or unwilling to reduce human and non-human suffering on Earth? Does humanity have the capacity to exercise a moral evaluation of God's motives and intentions?

Conventional disciplinary boundaries have tended to separate theological approaches to these questions from philosophical ones. This volume aims to overcome these boundaries by including biblical (Part I), historical (Part II), doctrinal (Part III), philosophical (Part IV), and pastoral, interreligious perspectives and alternative intersections (Part V) on theodicy.

Authors include thinkers from analytic and continental traditions, multiple Christian denominations and other religions, and both established and younger scholars, providing a full variety of approaches. What unites the essays is an attempt to answer these questions from the perspective of biblical testimony, historical scholarship, modern theological and philosophical thinking about the concept of God, non-Christian religions, science and the arts. The result is a combination of in-depth analysis and breadth of scope, making this a benchmark work for further studies in the theology of suffering and evil.

Review Quotes

"Rarely, if ever, are the international, global theological academia as well as ministers and students blessed with such a splendid resource as the current one on any theological topic, let alone on the perennial problems of evil and suffering! Its scope and depth is breathtaking, including biblical, theological, interdisciplinary, and interreligious perspectives and its authorship a roster of leading established scholars as well as a number of emerging colleagues. No one writing or studying on this vital topic can afford to miss this milestone resource." --Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Fuller Theological Seminary and University of Helsinki, Finland

"From the Bible to bioethics, from Christianity to Hinduism, from pastoral to theoretical, from philosophy to music, and from historical to contemporary debates, this handbook offers outstanding guidance for nearly every imaginable topic on suffering and evil. I learned much and highly recommend it." --John Sanders, Hendrix College, USA

"Books on the "problem of evil" generally falter owing to narrowness of perspective. No such complaint can be made of this collection. With contributions addressing the question from every imaginable angle, this volume is a truly encyclopaedic treatment of the most challenging of theological topics." --Ian A. McFarland, Emory University, USA

"In an encyclopaedic age of theology, where Handbooks, Compendiums, Companions and Dictionaries abound, here is an addition that will really make a difference. Grebe and Grössl are to be commended both on extraordinary and refreshing breadth of this volume, and on the quality of the contributors they have brought together." --Karen Kilby, Durham University, UK

"An important addition ... This new handbook exemplifies that all-important virtue - sometimes in short supply in the world of academic theology - of 'lucid brevity'." --The Heythrop Journal

"The T&T Clark Handbook of Suffering and the Problem of Evil is a monumental achievement. Indeed, spread across the range of its eighty chapters are contributions from some of the finest scholars currently working on the perennial topic of God and evil ... The work is a triumph, and Grebe and Grössl must be endlessly applauded for their contribution to scholarship." --The Expository Times

About the Author

Matthias Grebe is Lecturer in Theology and the Centre Lead at St Mellitus College in Chelmsford, UK.

Johannes Grössl is Assistant Professor of Fundamental Theology and Comparative Studies of Religion at the University of Würzburg, Germany.