Calvinism And The Problem Of Evil

Contrary to what many philosophers believe, Calvinism neither makes the problem of evil worse nor is it obviously refuted by the presence of evil and suffering in our world. Or so most of the authors in this book claim. While Calvinism has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years amongst theologians and laypersons, many philosophers have yet to follow suit. The reason seems fairly clear: Calvinism, many think, cannot handle the problem of evil with the same kind of plausibility as other more popular views of the nature of God and the nature of God's relationship with His creation. This book seeks to challenge that untested assumption. With clarity and rigor, this collection of essays seeks to fill a significant hole in the literature on the problem of evil.

Contrary to what many philosophers believe, Calvinism neither makes the problem of evil worse nor is it obviously refuted by the presence of evil and suffering in our world. Or so most of the authors in this book claim. While Calvinism has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years amongst theologians and laypersons, many philosophers have yet to follow suit. The reason seems fairly clear: Calvinism, many think, cannot handle the problem of evil with the same kind of plausibility as other more popular views of the nature of God and the nature of God's relationship with His creation. This book seeks to challenge that untested assumption. With clarity and rigor, this collection of essays seeks to fill a significant hole in the literature on the problem of evil. The collection includes twelve original essays by David E. Alexander, James N. Anderson, James E. Bruce, Anthony Bryson, Christopher Green, Matthew J. Hart, Paul Helm, Daniel M. Johnson, Hugh J. McCann, Alexander R. Pruss, Greg Welty, and Heath White.

Contrary to what many philosophers believe, Calvinism neither makes the problem of evil worse nor is it obviously refuted by the presence of evil and suffering in our world. Or so most of the authors in this book claim. While Calvinism has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years amongst theologians and laypersons, many philosophers have yet to follow suit. The reason seems fairly clear: Calvinism, many think, cannot handle the problem of evil with the same kind of plausibility as other more popular views of the nature of God and the nature of God's relationship with his creation. This book seeks to challenge that untested assumption. With clarity and rigor, this collection of essays seeks to fill a significant hole in the literature on the problem of evil. - from back of book.

This updated edition by one of the world's leading apologists presents a systematic, positive case for Christianity that reflects the latest work in the contemporary hard sciences and humanities. Brilliant and accessible.

Calvinist theology has been debated and promoted for centuries. But is it a theology that should last? Roger Olson suggests that Calvinism, also commonly known as Reformed theology, holds an unwarranted place in our list of accepted theologies. In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God’s reputation. Olson draws on a variety of sources, including Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience, to support his critique of Calvinism and the more historically rich, biblically faithful alternative theologies he proposes. Addressing what many evangelical Christians are concerned about today—so-called “new Calvinism,” a movement embraced by a generation labeled as “young, restless, Reformed” —Against Calvinism is the only book of its kind to offer objections from a non-Calvinist perspective to the current wave of Calvinism among Christian youth. As a companion to Michael Horton’s For Calvinism, readers will be able to compare contrasting perspectives and form their own opinions on the merits and weaknesses of Calvinism.

What's wrong with Calvinism? Since the Reformation, Calvinism has dominated much of evangelical thought. It has been so well established that many Christians simply assume it to be the truest expression of Christian doctrine. But Calvinism has some serious biblical and theological weaknesses that unsettle laypeople, pastors and scholars alike. God is sovereign. All evangelical Christians--whether Arminians or Calvinists--have no doubt about this fundamental truth. But how does God express his sovereignty? Is God a master puppeteer, pulling our strings? Or has he graciously given his children freedom to respond to his love? In this eminently readable book, Jerry L. Walls and Joseph R. Dongell explore the flaws of Calvinist theology. Why I Am Not a Calvinist is a must-read for all who struggle with the limitations of this dominant perspective within evangelical theology.

"Calvinism's Answer to the Problem of Evil" by Stephen Charnock offers an insightful and deeply theological exploration into one of Christianity's most profound questions: How can a good, omnipotent, and omniscient God allow evil to exist? In this meticulous exploration of theodicy, Charnock navigates the complex territories of divine foreknowledge, human free agency, the decree of reprobation, and the intricate interplay between primary and secondary causes, presenting a vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil. Charnock embarks on a thoughtful journey to address the apparent paradox of God's foreknowledge of sin and human moral responsibility. He explains the nature of God's decrees, emphasizing that divine judgment on sin, manifested in the doctrine of reprobation, underscores God's justice without compromising His holiness. The treatise considers the sovereignty of God in permitting sin, arguing that such permission serves the higher purpose of glorifying His grace and justice, without making Him the author of sin. Further, Charnock explores the concurrence of God's providential will with the actions of created beings, illustrating how God's ultimate governance does not violate the agency of secondary causes but rather works through them to achieve His purposes. Additionally, the concept of God's restraining grace is examined, presenting the idea that God's withdrawal of grace as a form of judgment is an expression of His justice, perfectly aligned with His character. Throughout the treatise, Charnock not only engages with theological complexities but also provides pastoral insights into the nature of suffering and evil, affirming the steadfastness and goodness of God in the face of life's trials. "Calvinism's Answer to the Problem of Evil" is not merely a theological exposition; it is a beacon of hope for believers grappling with the realities of a fallen world, offering assurance of God's unchanging goodness and sovereign plan. This work is an essential read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the relationship between divine sovereignty and the existence of evil, framed within the solid grounding of Reformed theology and Scripture. Charnock's thorough examination and clear presentation make this treatise a valuable resource for theologians, pastors, and lay believers alike, as they navigate the complexities of faith in a broken world. Charnock's work is not just a theological exposition but also offers pastoral insight into the sovereignty of God amidst the realities of suffering and evil. He aims to reassure believers of the steadfastness of God's character and His ultimate purpose for good, even in the midst of a fallen and broken world. This treatise stands as a crucial resource for theologians, pastors, and lay believers alike, seeking to understand the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and the existence of evil. Charnock's rigorous adherence to Scripture and Reformed theology provides a solid foundation for engaging with one of Christianity's most profound dilemmas.

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.