The Problem of Job and the Problem of Evil

Considers physical pain, social bereavement, the origin of evil, theodicy, justice, divine violence, and reward.

Espen Dahl (Author)

9781108723299, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 December 2018

75 pages
18 x 12.5 x 0.6 cm, 0.1 kg

'… this book will be provocative, displaying the large variety of perspectives … The narrative of Job helps to ground Dahl's discussion, making it more meaningful, and builds a personal connection to the reader.' Seth Pryor, Reading Religion

This account of evil takes the Book of Job as its guide. The Book of Job considers physical pain, social bereavement, the origin of evil, theodicy, justice, divine violence, and reward. Such problems are explored by consulting ancient and modern accounts from the fields of theology and philosophy, broadly conceived. Some of the literature on evil - especially the philosophical literature - is inclined toward the abstract treatment of such problems. Bringing along the suffering Job will serve as a reminder of the concrete, lived experience in which the problem of evil has its roots.

Introduction
1. The prologue – the nature of evil
2. Job's friends – theodicy
3. Job's response – anti-theodicy
4. God's revelation – images of God
Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Judaism: mysticism [HRJX], Judaism: theology [HRJT], Christian mysticism [HRCS1], Christian theology [HRCM], Religious ethics [HRAM1], Philosophy of religion [HRAB], Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology [HPJ]