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 suggests a different way of thinking about God’s presence, including how God is not directly involved in human suffering and death.
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About the Author
John E. Thiel is Professor of Religious Studies, Fairfield University. Previous works by Thiel include: Imagination and Authority: Theological Authorship in the Modern Tradition (Fortress Press); Nonfoundationalism (Fortress Press); Senses of Tradition: Continuity and Development in Catholic Faith (Oxford Univ. Press).
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A New Look at a Classic Problem,
By tpkatsa (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: God, Evil, and Innocent Suffering: A Theological Reflection (Paperback)
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.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
ugh,
By adead_poet@hotmail.com "adead_poet@hotmail.com" (Beaumont, tx USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)
This review is from: God, Evil, and Innocent Suffering: A Theological Reflection (Paperback)
With such an interesting topic, this book should have been a great read, but the problem is Thiel cannot write. His style is so boring that I simply could not read much of the book. It did not hold my attention nor could I focus on it, and believe me I tried, because it is such a great topic. My only hope is that someone with a better writing style takes on the topic of God, evil, and innocent suffering.
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