Monotheism, Suffering, and Evil

Monotheism, Suffering, and Evil
Author: Michael L. Peterson
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 145
Release: 2022-05-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1108911730

Suffering and evil in the world provide the basis for the most difficult challenge to monotheistic belief. This Element discusses how the three great monotheisms – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – respond to the problem of suffering and evil. Different versions of the problem, types of answers, and recurring themes in philosophical and religious sources are analyzed. Objections to the enterprise of theodicy are also discussed as are additional objections to the monotheistic God more broadly. This treatment culminates in a recommendation for how monotheism can best respond to the most serious formulation of the problem, the argument from gratuitous evil.

Monotheism and the Suffering of Animals in Nature

Monotheism and the Suffering of Animals in Nature
Author: Christopher Southgate
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 139
Release: 2023-07-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1108956718

This Element concerns itself with a particular aspect of the problem posed to monotheistic religious thought by suffering, namely the suffering of non-human creatures in nature. It makes some comparisons between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and then explores the problem in depth within Christian thought. After clarification of the nature of the problem, the Element considers a range of possible responses, including those based on a fall-event, those based on freedom of process, and those hypothesising a constraint on the possibilities for God as creator. Proposals based on the motif of self-emptying are evaluated. Two other aspects of the question concern God's providential relationship to the evolving creation, and the possibility of resurrection lives for animals. After consideration of the possibility of combining different explanations, the Element ends its discussion by looking at two innovative proposals at the cutting-edge of the debate.

Monotheism and Tolerance

Monotheism and Tolerance
Author: Robert Erlewine
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Total Pages: 259
Release: 2010-01-11
Genre: History
ISBN: 0253221560

Monotheism and Tolerance suggests a way to deal with the intractable problem of religiously motivated and justified violence.

Monotheism and Forgiveness

Monotheism and Forgiveness
Author: S. Mark Heim
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 131
Release: 2022-03-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1108660487

Forgiveness is a hallmark teaching within monotheistic religions. This Element introduces the topic in three ways. First, it considers the extent to which forgiveness is specific to or constituted by monotheistic beliefs, by a comparison with analogous teaching and practice in Buddhism. Second, the most extensive section explores the grammar of forgiveness shared across the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam – elements of repentance, intercession, and eschatological deferral. This section identifies some of the divergent tendencies or emphases on this topic among those traditions. A third section addresses the role of forgiveness and monotheistic religions in human cultural evolution and the emergence of eusociality. The aim is for the reader to gain an introductory view of monotheism and forgiveness from a comparative religious example, from an internal examination of Abrahamic traditions, and from a developmental, secular perspective.

Ethical Implications of One God

Ethical Implications of One God
Author: Robert Petkovsek
Publisher: LIT Verlag Münster
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2020-07
Genre:
ISBN: 3643911262

The issue of the ethical implications of monotheism is a very relevant topic from the point of view of contemporary humanities and social science, and from the perspective of the cultural and political condition in Europe and at the global scale. Therefore a scientific book devoted to this subject makes a lot of sense. Throughout the history and in present times, monotheism has been subjected to several sharp criticisms. On the other hand, we find also very different evaluations of it. They stress its positive and even crucial contribution to peace, forming of rational, non-violent, tolerant culture and society, to the scientific, political and cultural development, to democracy etc. The book offers fresh interdisciplinary perspectives - mainly from the point of view of humanities - on the ethical aspects of monotheism, broadens the scientific understanding of it, and establishes a basis for resolving conflicts to which the understanding of monotheism is relevant or even decisive.

Monotheism and Religious Diversity

Monotheism and Religious Diversity
Author: Roger Trigg
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2020-09-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1108787673

If there is one God, why are there so many religions? Might all be false? Some revert to a relativism that allows different 'truth's' for different people, but this is incoherent. This Element argues that monotheism has provided the basis for a belief in objective truth. Human understanding is fallible and partial, but without the idea of one God, there is no foundation for a belief in one reality or a common human nature. The shadow of monotheism lies over our understanding of science, and of morality.

The Cambridge Companion to the Problem of Evil

The Cambridge Companion to the Problem of Evil
Author: Chad Meister
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2017-06-09
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1107055385

This Companion offers a state-of-the-art contribution by providing critical analyses of and creative insights on the problem of evil.

The Depth of the Riches

The Depth of the Riches
Author: S. Mark Heim
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 325
Release: 2000-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0802826695

A constructive new proposal for Christian dialogue with other faiths. Religious pluralism is today the most challenging issue facing traditional Christianity. This constructive work by a leading voice on the subjects of religious pluralism and interfaith relations probes the Christian understanding of God and salvation and offers a new perspective on religious pluralism that affirms unique salvation in Christ while also recognizing the religious ends of other faiths. The questions explored here are both difficult and enlightening. What is the distinctive nature of salvation? Is there a place in Christian theology for recognizing other religious ends in addition to salvation? In pursuit of meaningful answers, S. Mark Heim uses the classical doctrine of the Trinity to develop a theology that allows Christians to respect the possibility that alternative relations with God exist in other religions.