The Problem of Evil & the Problem of God [Paperback]

D. Z. Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0800637755 | ISBN-13: 978-0800637750

Creative and original, D. Z. Phillips's argues that the problem of evil is inextricably linked to our conception of God and that the concept of God in recent philosophy of religion is problematic, even harmful. An ideal text for students of philosophy, religion, or theology.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

D. Z. Phillips, one of the world's leading philosophers of religion, currently holds the Danforth Chair in Philosophy of Religion at Claremont Graduate University, California, and is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at the University of Wales. His recent books include Religion and Friendly Fire; Recovering Religious Concepts; and Religion and the Hermeneutics of Contemplation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Press (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800637755
• ISBN-13: 978-0800637750
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,410,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but for some reason a little hard to follow in places., February 13, 2007

By 

Kerry Colling "K" (New York ,United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Problem of Evil & the Problem of God (Paperback)

Being new to the thought of DZ Phillips I was very excited to read this work. While he does a good job on the topic, he is a bit overzealous in his criticism of other philosophers.Indeed, he seems to indite most of the Christian apologetics and philosophical enterprise with illegitimacy. Perhaps this is due to what appears to me to be a denigration of the place of logic and reason in the Christian life.

Sadly, I recently discovered he had passed away. I heard from a Christian philosopher and friend that while DZ can be very "biting" in his books,he was a wonderful person.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I finally feel that I can live and believe authentically, February 27, 2011

By 

Cynthia from Toronto - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Problem of Evil & the Problem of God (Paperback)

This is, in many ways, a devastating book to read. Taking up the "Christian" conversation on suffering and on God's role therein, D.Z. Phillips tears to pieces all of our familiar theodices (attempts to explain and defend God's role in producing or allowing the suffering as an all-knowing, all-powerful being). He is particularly severe in his criticism of Christian philosopher Richard Swinburne, not because Swinburne is the originator or main proponent of these widely-held views, but because Swinburne happens to be a well-respected academic who represents this line of thinking. For example, Phillips lambastes Swinburne for making a claim such as "When God allows pain into our lives, it is ultimately for our own good, as it contributes to our character development", and then defending the claim with such a facile analogy as "a parent allows their child to suffer through an unpleasant dental appointment for the eventual greater good of their having intact teeth".

"Try applying this or any of the other common explanations of human suffering to such a horror as the Holocaust", Phillips challenges, "and see how the result is horrific-- contributing to the suffering and dehumanization of the victims rather than healing it."

In this book, D.Z. Phillips stares evil in its ugly face, managing neither to cower away, nor to explain it away. It can become very difficult to dwell in these pages and stare at evil alongside him.

Prizing authenticity above all, Phillips strips the Christian faith down to its core-- leaving the reader wondering, for many pages, whether either author or audience will be able to emerge with any faith left at all. But emerge he does. According the D.Z. Phillips, we are guaranteed nothing by God-- neither explanation for our suffering, nor protection for our futures, nor even ultimate meaning in the course of our lives. All we have left is to dwell in a moment, and if, in our moment, we are able recognize our very existence as being "of God"; if our mere existence, unattached to any other contingency, strikes us as a reason for celebration or gratitude or joy, then indeed we have faith. It is a fine line that separates faith from absurdity.

The Problem of Evil and the Problem of God converses within a Christian context, although I would call it very existential, almost Buddhist in its sensibilities. It offers few comforts, but instead liberates us from having to accept inauthentic answers to the Whys of life that have no answers, transforming rather than discarding faith in God, in the process.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly easy to read, July 28, 2008

By 

A Reader (California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Problem of Evil & the Problem of God (Paperback)

Although this book presupposes a fairly broad academic knowledge base, it is neverless relatively easy to read. Unless I'm kidding myself, this book is about how a Christian commitment turns out to be the answer to the problems of both God and Evil. And all its philosophy talk is just icing on the cake.