Theodicy of Love: Cosmic Conflict and the Problem of Evil

Offers a new approach to the challenge of reconciling the Christian confession of a loving God with the realities of suffering and evil in the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 06 November 2018
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

If God is all-powerful and entirely good and loving, why is there so much evil in the world?

Based on a close canonical reading of Scripture, this book offers a new approach to the challenge of reconciling the Christian confession of a loving God with the realities of suffering and evil. John Peckham offers a constructive proposal for a theodicy of love that upholds both the sovereignty of God and human freedom, showing that Scripture points toward a framework for thinking about God's love in relation to the world.

Peckham begins by exploring the traditional understanding of God's goodness and power, which he argues is often limited by a narrow view of God's nature. He suggests that God is not just a being of pure love, but also a being of infinite power and wisdom. This understanding of God allows Peckham to develop a theodicy of love that is both coherent and compelling.

Peckham's theodicy of love is based on the idea that God's love is not limited by the circumstances of the world. He argues that God's love is always present and active, even in the midst of suffering and evil. Peckham also suggests that God's love is not just a passive response to human suffering, but an active response that seeks to bring about healing and restoration.

One of the key aspects of Peckham's theodicy of love is his emphasis on human freedom. He argues that human freedom is a gift from God and is essential for the development of human character and the pursuit of happiness. However, human freedom can also be a source of evil, as it can lead to the exercise of power and control over others. Peckham suggests that God's love is not just a response to human evil, but also a call to human responsibility and self-sacrifice.

Peckham's theodicy of love also emphasizes the importance of suffering and evil in the development of human character and the pursuit of holiness. He argues that suffering and evil can be used as a means of growth and transformation, as they can help us to develop empathy and compassion for others and to become more aware of our own sinfulness. Peckham also suggests that suffering and evil can be a source of hope, as they can remind us of the ultimate victory of God's love and the power of redemption.

In conclusion, Peckham's theodicy of love offers a fresh and compelling perspective on the challenge of reconciling the Christian confession of a loving God with the realities of suffering and evil. By upholding the sovereignty of God and human freedom, Peckham's theodicy provides a framework for thinking about God's love in relation to the world that is both coherent and compelling. This book is a valuable resource for anyone who is seeking to understand the relationship between God's love and the world and is interested in exploring the deeper implications of this challenging question.

Weight: 302g
Dimension: 154 x 152 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781540960269