Satan and the Problem of Evil Constructing a Trinitarian Warfare Theodicy
Saturday, September 19th, 2009Satan and the Problem of Evil Constructing a Trinitarian Warfare Theodicy
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Adequate, but disappointing.
Given the subject matter, Boyd does an adequate job of writing… but the entire book reads more like a paper to be presented to a professional community, rather than something that a layman could get anything useful from. As a senior who’s taken multiple Bible courses, I was able to make sense of it… but only barely. Also, it was mostly a rehash of points made in prior books, with little new material. Overall, I was disappointed. Had this come from an author I had never read before, I would be satisfied, but this does not hold up to what I have come to expect from Boyd’s writing.
5 Stars Biblically sound and challenging!
I just finished “Satan and the Problem of Evil”, and let me say that it was a breath of fresh air! Though Boyd does a fine job of both dismantling five-point Calvinism and advancing the open view of the future, his ultimate goal is give Christians theological and practical resources with which to deal with evil in the world. Boyd’s Trinitarian Warfare Worldview is a marvelous, biblically-based, panoramic theology that is much-needed in our world. Reformed theology is simply incapable of dealing with evil because it 1)fails to take the entirety of scripture seriously and 2)attributes evil to God due to its thoroughly misguided and unbiblical understanding of God’s sovereignty and glory. Calvinism is one part Scripture, another part bad Augustinian theology, and the last part neo-Platonic thought that held partial sway over Augustine (Ever wonder why there’s a striking kinship between the Platonic forms and the eternal decree of Calvinism?). What’s great about Boyd is that he is not just content to deconstruct Reformed theology, but he is doing so in service of the Trinitarian warfare theodicy.
Most striking is that Boyd takes seriously the biblical and pre-Augustine understandings of the works of celestial beings like angels and “watchers”. Boyd appeals to a simple reading of scripture passages dealing with these beings, and he appeals to the church’s understanding of these passages prior to Augustine. In fact, Boyd’s first book in this series, “God at War”, deals exclusively with the war between God and faithful angels and the rebellious creatures in the universe. This war far better (and more biblically) explains much of the pain, bloodshed, and suffering we see in this world than the common, simplistic evangelical views that attribute these things to God’s will. Boyd’s survey of the early church fathers on this is BREATH-TAKING! To supplement your reading on such a war between divine and demonic creatures and how this war accounts for what is going on in our world, please check out Gerald McDermott’s “God’s Rivals”. McDermott is a Reformed theologian who, due to his biblical studiousness and eye for early Christian tradition, comes to conclusions similar to Boyd’s concerning the war in the heavenlies (though the open future and God’s sovereignty are not the focus of McDermott’s book).
Many will bristle again Boyd’s conclusions. Sadly, I think the chief reason why many will criticize Boyd is as follows: If God does not sanction/is not responsible for evil (and He most certain is not!), then that means that God’s people bear FAR MORE responsibility in battling evil in the world. God has equipped Christians will the abiliy to influence the world through prayer, spiritual gifts (they HAVE NOT in any way ceased!), and a revolutionary communal ethic (among a host of other things). In attributing evil to God, we are able to remain under-achievers who limp around the world bearing little to no resemblance to the salt and light, city on a hill that Jesus spoke of. We reject what people like Boyd say because we underwrite our spiritual, moral, and intellectual laziness by attributing evil things to God. This a great read!
5 Stars Boyds’ best — an excellent and compelling read
I’ve read a few books by Boyd in which he explores openness theology, and I think this one is the best. I won’t attempt to summarize his arguments, but areas that stand out in my mind include his discussion about the necessity and efficacy of prayer and his ideas concerning hell (Chapter 12). His section on “natural evil,” which is actually very unnatural, is also especially helpful.
The information is presented in a much more user-friendly manner than in past books. That is, the notes are placed at the bottom of each page for easy access. Difficult theological terms are explained in a glossary of terms and concepts. Boyd also does not fall into the trap this time of citing his own work. (Good heavens, this man must read a lot!) The only problem I have with this book is that now I’m going to have to buy a bunch of other books that he has brought to my attention. Thanks a lot, brother.
5 Stars When bad things happen to good people…..
This is a book that requires a lot of thinking and reflection. It was helpful to have a dictionary close at hand (smile). Dr. Boyd continues on from “God at War” but takes a closer look at the classical positions regarding what it means for God to be “in control”, freedom and the origin of evil, risk and the sovereignty of God to mention a few. He also shares a different perspective to the “blueprint” plan. This book is premised on six foundations that structure this trinitarian warfare theodicy and how God interacts with this world as well as their implementation;
1. Love must be freely chosen.
2. Love entails risks.
3. Love and freedom entails that we are morally responsible for one another.
4. The power to influence for the worse must be roughly proportionate to our power to influence for the better.
5. Love entails freedom and this freedom, within limits, must be irrevocable.
6. Angels and humans are finite beings who thus possess only a finite capacity to embrace or thwart God’s purposes for our lives.
He spends quite a bit of time discussing the open view of the future but whether you agree with his position or not one has to grapple personally with the warfare worldview of Scripture and the trinitarian warfare theodicy on its own merits. It is well worth the effort.
This is another book that is a resource to be returned to often. I highly recommend it.
5 Stars MUCH NEEDED REBUTTAL TO CALVINISM AND ITS REPROCUSIONS
In contrast to the widely accepted protestant view of Calvinistic Determinism, Dr. Boyd has laid forth the early Jewish and Church’s understanding and view of God’s foreknowledge, free agency, and evil as it is experienced. This view is definitely in more harmony with the totality of Scripture rather than the selective and illogical view of Calvinism.
The main premise is that Love Requires Freedom (choice), thus, a holy, righteous and loving God cannot arbitrarily force or cause agents to “love” Him nor suffer damnation if they are not the initial cause of their “choices.” Subsequently, free agents’ choices may cause suffering, as we witness today in the physical and spiritual realm. Since Christ never attributed evil to be an element of “God’s Plan” neither should His disciples today.
Mr. Boyd does, though, get sidetracked addressing various views concerning each premise which is unneeded since once the truth is unearthed, the counterfeits will be clearly exposed. Highly recommended, especially chapters 1-3. [....]