God, Evil, and Human Learning: A Critique and Revision of the Free Will Defense in Theodicy - Hardcover

Berthold Jr., Fred

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 079146041X ISBN 13: 9780791460412

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 2004

Synopsis

Revises the traditional free will defense regarding the existence of evil in the world of a loving God.

God, Evil, and Human Learning explores the age-old question: How is it possible to believe in the God of the Christian faith when the world contains so many grievous evils? Author Fred Berthold Jr. examines the most influential argument used by Christian theologians to answer that question, the "free will defense," which holds that God is not responsible for the evil in the world, but that evil arises from the human misuse of free will. He points out the weaknesses of this defense and provides a more adequate concept of free will. Berthold argues that free will is a complex of abilities which are acquired-if acquired-through human learning in the context of experiences of actual goods and evils and their consequences. He revises the "free will defense" and offers a new view of the relationship between God and his creatures.

About this title

About the Author

Fred Berthold Jr. is Kelsey Professor of Religion, Emeritus at Dartmouth College.

Edition details

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 079146041X
• ISBN 13: 9780791460412
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 116