Theological Theodicy

The question of God's relationship to evil is a long-running one in the history of Christianity, and the term often deployed for this task has been theodicy. The way theodicy has historically been pursued, however, has been problematic on a number of counts. Most significantly, these efforts have generally been insufficiently theological. This work hopes to subvert and reconfigure the theodical task in a way that can be accessible to nonspecialists. Overall, the book hopes to cast the ""god"" of theodicy as the triune God of Christian confession, a move that shapes and alters distinctly all that follows in what has traditionally been considered a philosophical matter. ""If we are to speak with theological intelligence and Christian compassion about the nature, causes, and overcoming of evil, we must first speak of the God whom Christians confess and in whom they hope. This elegant, perceptive, and gentle book shows us why theology matters in theodicy."" --John Webster, FRSE, King's College ""This book addresses a timely, critically urgent, and complex topic. Daniel Castelo engages it with grace, humility, and deep understanding. Many books on theodicy read with philosophical detachment. Castelo writes as a Christian theologian fully committed to practicing discipleship. The questions he faces are no mere abstractions, but the stuff of life. Castelo knows exactly when to speak with bold clarity and when to remain reverently silent. Anyone who reads this book will do so with great profit."" --Stephen Rankin, Southern Methodist University ""Theological Theodicy is a richly textured and accessible exception to the rule of failed theodicies. Informed by the Catholic spiritual-doctrinal tradition and fired by Pentecostal sensibilities, Castelo faces troubling questions and refuses all premature resolutions. With humility and verve, he calls for spirited, virtuous embodiment of the gospel as counter-witness to the evils of this present age."" --Chris Green, Pentecostal Theological Seminary ""Daniel Castelo guides readers through a thoughtful and insightful exploration of the problem of suffering. Castelo's approach honors the mystery of God, who cannot be fully explained and is thus inherently apophatic. His fundamental understanding of evil is a scandalous 'sickness or malady,' a condition of anti-godness. With theodicy being perhaps the most pressing issue today--not just in seminary classrooms, but in the world that feels godforsaken--Castelo's work offers a hopeful and therapeutic vision."" --Elaine A. Heath, Southern Methodist University Daniel Castelo is Associate Professor of Theology at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA. He is the author of The Apathetic God (2009).