Catholicism and the Problem of God

The Element provides an overview of Catholic doctrines about God, addressing philosophical problems related to God's nature, actions, and relationship with humans. It highlights tensions between different Catholic spiritualities and discusses issues with analogical language about God and human desire.

Format: Hardback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Element provides an overview of the Catholic conception of God and the philosophical problems that have arisen during its historical development. After summarizing key Catholic doctrines, the first section examines the challenges that emerged due to Catholicism's reliance on both Jewish and Greek conceptions of God. The second section explores the controversies surrounding God as Trinitarian and incarnate, which emerged during early church councils and were further developed during the Middle Ages. The third section delves into issues related to God's actions towards creatures, including creation, providence, predestination, and the nature of divine action itself. Finally, the last section explores the challenges of relating to God, including the tensions among different Catholic spiritualities and the complexities of analogical language used to describe God and human desire for God.

The Element explores the complex and multifaceted nature of the Catholic conception of God, delving into the philosophical problems that have shaped its development throughout history. It begins by providing a summary of key Catholic doctrines, highlighting the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide the Church's understanding of God.

The first section of the Element examines the challenges that arose during the early development of Catholicism, as it sought to reconcile its beliefs with both Jewish and Greek conceptions of God. While the Church embraced the wisdom and insights of these ancient traditions, it also faced the task of reconciling their differing perspectives on the nature and attributes of God. This led to the development of key Catholic doctrines, such as the Trinity, which asserts that God is one God in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The second section explores the controversies that emerged within the Church regarding the nature of God as Trinitarian and incarnate. These controversies were particularly intense during the early church councils, as different factions sought to define and explain these doctrines in their own ways. The Trinitarian controversy centered around the understanding of the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, while the Incarnate controversy focused on the belief that Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully human.

The third section of the Element examines the problems that arise from God's actions towards creatures, including creation, providence, predestination, and the nature of divine action itself. The Catholic Church believes that God is both creator and sustainer of the universe, and that his actions are guided by his love and wisdom. However, these beliefs have led to complex and sometimes controversial questions, such as whether God is responsible for the suffering of innocent people, the existence of evil, and the nature of free will.

The last section of the Element considers the challenges of relating to God, including the tensions between different Catholic spiritualities and the complexities of analogical language used to describe God and human desire for God. The Catholic Church recognizes the importance of personal prayer and meditation, as well as the sacraments and the teachings of the Church, in developing a deeper relationship with God. However, it also acknowledges the difficulties that can arise from these practices, such as the struggle to maintain a sense of spiritual discipline and the challenge of living out one's faith in a secular world.

In conclusion, The Element provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the Catholic conception of God and the philosophical problems that have shaped its development throughout history. It offers a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of Catholic theology and philosophy, as well as for those who are interested in exploring the broader philosophical questions surrounding the nature of God and the human experience.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 158 x 237 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009467919