A Creation-Order Theodicy: God and Gratuitous Evil [Paperback]

Bruce A. Little (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2004

The central thesis of this extraordinary work is that the greater-good assumption associated with Greater-Good theodicies is unnecessary to the defense of theism and has actually strengthened the argument from evil by the atheist. Author Bruce Little provides historical context for understanding the work of theodicy beginning with Augustine. Professor Little offers a critique of selected contemporary Greater-Good theodicies, highlighting certain inherent philosophical/theological weakness. The Creation-Order theodicy is presented as an alternative acknowledging the reality of gratuitous evil without compromising or redefining the moral goodness, knowledge and power of God.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bruce A. Little is Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Professor Little holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from the Columbia Biblical Seminary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: University Press Of America (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076182989X
• ISBN-13: 978-0761829898
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #882,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discards weak, "greater-good" argument, October 29, 2006

By 

G. Law (Winston-Salem, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Creation-Order Theodicy: God and Gratuitous Evil (Paperback)

The author offers a major advance in the understanding of the problem of evil, its appearance and its impact on God's creation. Instead of continuing with the weaknesses of the traditional argument that evil is always employed to bring about some sort of "greater-good," Dr. Little advances a new paradigm which he bases on God's "Creation-Order." This "Creation-Order" (C-O) which is convincingly evidenced by the physical ordering of nature was also established in the moral ordering of the universe, and has provided a stable environment for God to interact with the moral agents of His creation. In this well-ordered environment moral agents are free to exercise the divinely given ability of moral choice and can therefore choose to love their Creator or conversely to rebel against their Creator. In this "Creation Order" not only is God faithful not to destroy the stable environment and moral abilities of the higher creatures (in spite of their rebellion) of this "best of possible worlds" but neither can the libertarian choices of these morally free creatures be vitiated even when they result in horrific gratuitous evil. This theodicy harmonizes with classical theism and most importantly explains how God's creatures are responsible for their own evil acts and how the God who only gives good gifts cannot be blamed.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a good answer to the problem of evil, September 2, 2005

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A. Franco "afranco20" (goose creek, sc United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Creation-Order Theodicy: God and Gratuitous Evil (Paperback)

This book requires the reader to think deeply. Not only does it require deep thought, but it also requires the reader's willingness to rethink long-held ideas about evil and the source of evil. What this book gives in return for the reader's effort and willingness is an answer to the problem of evil that is biblically sound. Dr. Little has done an amazing job of making a difficult topic comprehensible, much as C.S. Lewis did in many of his books. Read this book. Think. Search God's Word. You will find your effort and willingness greatly rewarded.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Viable Alternative, May 1, 2011

By 

GGarrick (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Creation-Order Theodicy: God and Gratuitous Evil (Paperback)

This book is very well written and concise. It makes its argument clear, and is difficult if not impossible to refute. This is finally a viable alternative to the fatalistic, deterministic theologies that have forced us to choose a God who is either partly cruel and sadistic, or else a dottering old fool who means well, but really can't do a whole lot. We can now logically justify our belief in a God who is loving, just, and all powerful, who created man with the ability to make moral choices and pay moral consequences. Other theologies simply don't allow for all of these things to be logically true in the same Being. As a slight disclaimer, I must say that Dr. Little was one of my favorite professors in seminary, so I might be a bit biased, but this is a great book.