Suffering: A Test of Theological Method [Paperback]

Arthur C. McGill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2006

How can an omnipotent God allow suffering and violence to pervade the world? The author approaches this disturbing question by examining the concept of power. At opposing ends of a spectrum lie two powers--demonic power that is violent, destructive, and dominative, and the power of God that is creative, totally open, self-giving, and expansive. Through consideration of power, McGill provides reflections on the nature of God's inner life in the Trinity and concludes that "service" characterizes God's relationship to the world, not "domination."

Combining the scholarship and clarity that characterizes the greatest theological writing of our times, "Suffering" addresses the need for renewed faith in the almighty powerfulness of God's self communication and self-giving until the time "when the pretenses of demonic power are swept away."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (December 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597529451
• ISBN-13: 978-1597529457
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 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: #520,446 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Divine Power Made Perfect in Weakness!, April 30, 2001

By 

"srlaurel" (Laurel, Maryland (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Suffering (Paperback)

As someone working on a theology of the cross where the "power of God is perfected in weakness," I look for others writing on the same topic. This small, extremely readable book put so much together in such a small package that it is hard to rate the book highly enough. There really is nothing absolutely new here, but McGill has prayed through things to the center, and as a result, his writing reflects a really new coherence, brilliance, and perspective. You've heard it all before, but then again, it is all new --- and it is all incredibly compelling! One thing which is particularly helpful is his comparison of the Gods of Arius and Athansius. Two entirely different paradigms of God's power are at work here. It is a wonderful way to approach the debates involved. Also, McGill's understanding of the demonic will resonate with modern readers. Above all, however, McGill provides a theology which makes real sense of suffering, and introduces the God of Paul and John, et al, in a way which contrasts sharply with the absolutely powerful God so many espouse by mere reflex. A really great (and fast!) read.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, clear and effective, April 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Suffering (Paperback)

This is a book that can completely change the way you think about life. McGill takes you slowly through an argument that makes the most difficult problem of our time seem simple. There is nothing wild or speculative here and nothing that hasn't been around for the last two millennia. It's the way McGill puts it that make the difference. I would put this book on my top five list for the last decade.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the profoundest books I've ever read, June 29, 2008

By 

Timothy B. Miller (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Suffering (Paperback)

I think, read, and write about theodicy a lot and I was looking to this book for an orthodox Christian answer. I don't think it contains any kind of a panoramic explanation for the existence of evil - an answer to the question of how evil can exist if God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good - but what it does contain is surprising and profound: a solid and inspiring description of God's power, the power of total self-giving. McGill employs what he calls a "method" to plumb the Bible's depths, illuminating several parables in a way that seems so obvious after your read him but which you probably never thought of before. In particular, his rendering of the Good Samaritan parable stunned me and I can't get it out of my mind. He is no Biblical literalist as he makes clear only at the end of his little, highly readable book, but he takes what the Bible says with utmost seriousness. This book could transform your life if you read it carefully.