1st Edition

Providence, Evil and the Openness of God

By William Hasker Copyright 2004
    248 Pages
    by Routledge

    248 Pages
    by Routledge

    Providence, Evil and the Openness of God is a timely exploration of the philosophical implications of the rapidly-growing theological movement known as open theism, or the 'openness of God'. William Hasker, one of the philosophers prominently associated with this movement, presents the strengths of this position in comparison with its main competitors: Calvinism, process theism, and the theory of divine middle knowledge, or Molinism.
    The author develops alternative approaches to the problem of evil and to the problem of divine action in the world. In particular, he argues that believers should not maintain the view that each and every evil that occurs is permitted by God as a means to a 'greater good'. He contends that open theism makes possible an emphasis on the personalism of divine-human interaction in a way that traditional views, with their heavy emphasis on divine control, cannot easily match. The book concludes with a section of replies to critics, in which many of the objections levelled against open theism are addressed.

    Introduction
    Part 1: Evil, Theodicy, and Defense
    1. On Regretting the Evils of this World
    2. Suffering, Soul-Making, and Salvation
    3. The Sceptical Solution to the Problem of Evil
    4. The Necessity of Gratuitous Evil
    5. Can God Permit 'Just Enough' Evil?
    Part Two: Theories of Providence
    6. The Openness of God
    7. Providence and Evil: Three Theories
    8. The God who Takes Risks
    9. The Problem of Evil in Process Theism and Classical Free Will Theism
    10. Antinomies of Divine Providence
    11. The Freedom and Goodness of God
    Appendix: Replies to my Critics

    Biography

    William Hasker

    'A carefully written, often deeply insightful book ... highly recommended for all who are interested in open theism's implications for theodicy and divine providence.  Hasker presents his views with admirable clarity and in dialogue with friend and foe alike ... It is an advantage to us, and a tribute to Hasker's important work, to have these essays available in one volume ... In any event, we leave this book satisfied that it provides an informed understanding of Hasker's views on theodicy and divine providence, presented competently by one of open theism's major exponents.'Barry L. Whitney, University of Windsor, Canada