Evolution and the Problem of Natural Evil

by Michael A. Corey

Overview

Is the evolutionary process intelligently designed? If so, why did the Creator choose such an evil-infested means to create the biosphere? What is the intrinsic nature of evil itself? Is natural evil necessary? Is evil compatible with the existence of God? Will the world's evils ever be totally redeemed? What place does humanity occupy in the cosmic scheme of things? Evolution and the Problem of Natural Evil attempts to answer these and other timeless questions by proposing a bold new conceptual synthesis that aggressively marries the tenets of modern developmental psychology to the basic concepts of classical theism. The end result of this novel approach is deeply encouraging, insofar as it places the problem of evil, as well as the general fate of human existence, in a much larger and more optimistic context than has traditionally been imagined.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761818120
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	11/22/2000
Edition description:	Revised 2000 and Thumb Indexed and Updated to Include New De
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.76(w) x 9.04(h) x 0.77(d)

About the Author

Michael A. Corey has also written Back to Darwin: The Scientific Case for Deistic Evolution (1994), Job, Jonah, and the Unconscious: A Psychological Interpretation of Evil and Spiritual Growth in the Old Testament (1994), and The Natural Evolution of Creation: Biblical Evolutionism and the Return of Natural Theology (1995).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 Empirical Support for Theistic Evolution Chapter 4 Charles Darwin and the Problem of Natural Evil Chapter 5 Moderate Anthropocentrism Chapter 6 The Necessity of Evolution Chapter 7 Philosophical Theology and Theistic Evolution Chapter 8 Evolution, Evil, and the Divine Goodness Chapter 9 Evolution and the Nature of the Miraculous Chapter 10 The Problem of Evil Chapter 11 Essentialism and the Theodicy Question Chapter 12 The Anatomy of Moral Evil Chapter 13 Evil and Modern Religious Philosophy Chapter 14 Theodicy for Natural Evils Chapter 15 Conclusion; Bibliography; Index

Editorial Reviews

Bringing an optimistic approach to the problem, Corey (no credentials noted) addresses the question of evil by synthesizing the tenets of modern developmental psychology and the basic concepts of classical theism. He argues that evolution is compatible with creationism, and that the pain-filled evolutionary process is a means compatible with God's moral perfection. Chapters discuss the relationships between theism, evolution, anthropocentrism, philosophical theology, essentialism, and evil (natural and otherwise). Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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