The Groaning of Creation: God, Evolution, and the Problem of Evil [Paperback]

Christopher Southgate (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 19, 2008

Pain, suffering, and extinction are intrinsic to the evolutionary process. In this book Christopher Southgate shows how the world that is "very good" is also groaning in travail and subjected by God to that travail. Southgate then evaluates several attempts at evolutionary theodicy and argues for his own approach-an approach that takes full account of God's self-emptying and human beings' special responsibilities as created co-creators.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christopher Southgate is Honorary University Fellow in Theology at the University of Exeter in England and Visiting Scholar at the Graduate Theological Union and Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences in Berkeley, California. Originally trained as a biochemist at the University of Cambridge, he is the general editor and principal author of God, Humanity and the Cosmos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (June 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664230903
• ISBN-13: 978-0664230906
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a thoughtful, honest treatment, February 20, 2009

By 

Matthew Marston - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Groaning of Creation: God, Evolution, and the Problem of Evil (Paperback)

In this book, Christopher Southgate addresses the "problem of evil" with particular attention to evolution. He notes that evolution necessarily includes pain, suffering, death, and exctinction as part of the process. How does someone who confesses the goodness of God respond to this? Southgate attempts his answer in this book.

Along the way, Southgate helpfully critiques other proposals (i.e. process theology, creationism, intelligent design, de Chardin), and interacts with a wide variety of thinkers, all in clear writing and with a charitable spirit. For instance, Southgate believes that God suffers with creatures and employs "kenosis" as an important part of his constructive moves. But he carefully interacts with critics of these two theological positions and refines his own views as a result. After describing his approach to creation, Southgate outlines the role of humanity before ending with some concrete ethical proposals.

For anyone interested in this subject, this is a helpful book. I found Southgate's honesty, his willingness to ask the difficult questions, and his own modesty extremely refreshing. I imagine everyone who reads it will be challenged in some deep ways, but will find the book well worth their attention.

5.0 out of 5 stars MASTERPIECE ... BRILLIANT!, November 21, 2009

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Vegan-Analysis (from parts unknown) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Groaning of Creation: God, Evolution, and the Problem of Evil (Paperback)

I can honestly say this is one of the most honest, intelligent theodicies I have ever read. The author respects not only the environment and species, but individuals within species. For a vegan like me this is quite refreshing, but of course the author does not go far enough for me. As far as the quality of writing ... WOW! This is a true literary masterpiece, and mind you, I studied English Lit at Florida State. This book deserves to be remembered as a theological and literary classic.