Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.