God Never Meant for Us to Die: The Emergence of Evil in the Light of the Genesis Creation Account

by Pierre Gilbert

Overview

The most incisive indictment against Christianity resides in the notion of a God who created a world in which there is untold suffering and death. Is this the best God could do? In response, most Christians will mutter something about free will or the necessity of evil to bring about God's plan for humanity. Theologians often reply by challenging the very legitimacy of the question; God only requires that we persevere. Biblical scholars, who might otherwise be expected to offer a scriptural perspective, nervously denounce any suggestion that the presence of evil may have had something to do with a primordial couple and a fruit tree. Is it any wonder that most people believe that evil must surely be an intractable component of human existence introduced, perhaps, by the very God Jews and Christians worship? This book is a response to the problem of evil that unconditionally affirms the goodness and power of God. Based on a new assessment of the Genesis creation story, one of the greatest texts ever to have emerged in human history, the author contends that God never intended for humanity to experience suffering and death.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532699641
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	04/21/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	222
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Pierre Gilbert is Associate Professor of Bible and theology at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg (Canada). He is the author of Demons, Lies & Shadows (2008).

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“The provocative title, God Never Meant for Us to Die, invites readers to a creative and engaging biblical theological study of theodicy. We should all welcome an investigation into this subject by an Old Testament scholar. Based upon a close reading of Gen 1–3 and related texts, Dr. Gilbert offers a solution to the problem of evil and suffering in the world that is respectful of the history of interpretation of the subject, but in the end is rooted in Scripture. With a firm grasp of the secondary literature as well, and a warm pastoral passion, he addresses the weaknesses of both Augustinian and process theological answers to the problem and presents a strong case for something in between. Pierre’s work contains plenty of grist for discussion. However, readers will be especially grateful that he has given them a healthy perspective for dealing with theodical issues in their own lives and hope for the future, rooted in the incarnation and sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ. This is one of the finest works on the subject I have read.”

—Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Wheaton College

Editorial Reviews

The provocative title, God Never Meant for Us to Die, invites readers to a creative and engaging biblical theological study of theodicy. We should all welcome an investigation into this subject by an Old Testament scholar. Based upon a close reading of Gen 1–3 and related texts, Dr. Gilbert offers a solution to the problem of evil and suffering in the world that is respectful of the history of interpretation of the subject, but in the end is rooted in Scripture. With a firm grasp of the secondary literature as well, and a warm pastoral passion, he addresses the weaknesses of both Augustinian and process theological answers to the problem and presents a strong case for something in between. Pierre’s work contains plenty of grist for discussion. However, readers will be especially grateful that he has given them a healthy perspective for dealing with theodical issues in their own lives and hope for the future, rooted in the incarnation and sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ. This is one of the finest works on the subject I have read.”

—Daniel I. Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Wheaton College

From the Publisher