God, Evil, and Innocent Suffering A Theological Reflection

By John E. Theil and John E. Thiel

Do people suffer only because they deserve to suffer? According to classical Christian belief, yes. John Thiel, however, insists that some people who suffer are truly innocent. Innocent suffering... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0824519280
• ISBN13: 9780824519285
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Herder & Herder
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A New Look at a Classic Problem

The classic Augustinian tradition and most major theodicies deny the reality of innocent suffering, by arguing that no one truly suffers innocently, or suffering is part of the divine plan, etc. On the other hand, Thiel argues that people can truly suffer innocently (and such suffering is a moral fact before God) and at the same time God is all-powerful, all-good, and all-knowing. Thiel shatters Hume's famous question, "If God is willing to prevent evil, and unable, then He is impotent; if God is able to prevent evil, and unwilling, then He is malevolent; if God is able and willing to prevent evil, whence evil?" by arguing that God does not will suffering or death at all as God is the Author of life and eternally life-creating. However, in order to do this Thiel makes a significant theological concession. All in all, an excellent book, and actually quite Orthodox in its approach. Only reason I didn't give it five stars is that he does tend to be somewhat repetitive in some places. Do not overlook the chapter on pastoral applications.