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The Origins of Natural Evil

Christian Perspectives Through History

The Origins of Natural Evil cover

The Origins of Natural Evil

Christian Perspectives Through History

Description

This book presents a historical overview of how Christians have described and negotiated the causes of natural evil.
Within the context of his study, John Adair defines natural evil as evils that are not an obvious, direct result of moral compromise initiated by the free choice of a moral agent, but rather stem from nature itself-e.g., natural disasters, illness, or loss of life. While historical Christian communities' justifications for and responses to natural evil has evolved over time, Adair traces how Christian theodicy rests on a firm commitment to God's goodness. Across seven chapters, this book narrates this evolution of thought, focusing on key figures in history who illustrate the theological continuity around God's goodness. In doing so, Adair builds a theological conversation, prompting readers to consider the collective weight of this historic response to questions of natural evil and query how a response which affirms God's goodness might impact our own reactions to questions of God's relation to the horrors of our daily lives.

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Table of Contents

Introduction: The Mystery of Pain Present and Past
Chapter 1: 'They Make You Ill': Demonic Influence in Storms and Sickness
Chapter 2: Floods, Famines, and Fires: Origen on Natural Evil
Chapter 3: Augustine's Commonwealth Within Creation
Chapter 4: Thomas Aquinas and the Question of Natural Evil
Chapter 5: John's Calvin's Determination on Natural Evil
Chapter 6: The Enlightenment and the Disenchantment of the World
Chapter 7: Assessing the Historical Narrative

Product details

Published 02 Apr 2026
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Pages 184
ISBN 9781978768192
Imprint T&T Clark
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

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