God, Struggle, and Suffering in the Evolution of Life

Christopher Southgate is Professor of Christian Theodicy at the University of Exeter, UK.Paul S. Fiddes is Professor of Systematic Theology in the University of Oxford, and is Director of Research at Regent's Park College, Oxford, UK.Michael Lloyd is the Principle of Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, UK.Neil Messer is Professor of Theological Bioethics at the University of Baylor, USA.Bethany Sollereder is Lecturer in Science & Religion at the University of Edinburgh, UK.Mark R. Wynn is Nolloth Professor of the Philosophy of the Christian Religion at the University of Oxford, UK.

Whether you are new the debates surrounding theodicy and the suffering of animals or looking for the next chapter in the conversation, Southgate and crew offer robust and engaging dialogue that remembers—as so few do—that animals an integral part of creation and its redemption.

• Chapter 1: Introduction by Christopher SouthgateChapter 2: 2.1 Michael Lloyd (Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, UK)2.1.1 On an originating cause of disvalues in the natural world2.1.2 On God’s relation to the suffering of non-human creatures2.1.3 On the role of atonement2.1.4 On the eschatological life of creatures2.1.5 Lloyd on the strengths and weakness of his scheme2.2 Neil Messer (Baylor University, USA)2.2.1 On an originating cause of disvalues in the natural world2.2.2 On God’s relation to the suffering of non-human creatures2.2.3 On the role of atonement2.2.4 On the eschatological life of creatures2.2.5 Messer on the strengths and weaknesses of his scheme2.3 Christopher Southgate (University of Exeter, UK)2.3.1 On an originating cause of disvalues in the natural world2.3.2 On God’s relation to the suffering of non-human creatures2.3.3 On the role of atonement2.3.4 On the eschatological life of creatures2.3.5 Southgate on the strengths and weaknesses of his scheme2.4 Bethany Sollereder (University of Edinburgh, UK)2.4.1 On an originating cause of disvalues in the natural world2.4.2 On God’s relation to the suffering of non-human creatures2.4.3 On the role of atonement2.4.4 On the eschatological life of creatures2.4.5 Sollereder on the strengths and weakness of her scheme2.5 Response by Paul Fiddes (University of Oxford, UK) to the initial position papers, and outlining of his own position2.5.1 Four position papers, two groups2.5.2 An originating cause and an ongoing relation2.5.3 The resistance to God in all creation2.5.4 Atonement and eschatologyChapter 33.1 Michael Lloyd3.1.1 Is my three-fold taxonomy too rigid?3.1.2 Is God the ultimate ‘cause’ of the disvalues of creation?3.1.3 How far does the Fall of the Angels hypothesis get us?3.1.4 Why does God not use divine power to prevent or ameliorate suffering?3.1.5 If God’s action in the world is non-coercive, how can we sustain eschatological hope?3.1.6 Could the process of evolution have happened otherwise?3.1.7 Three questions for the Resistance Theodicy3.2 Neil Messer3.2.1 Das Nichtige, resistance, and originating causes3.2.2 Death, pain, and suffering3.2.3 Divine co-suffering, atonement, and eschatology3.2.4 Conclusion3.3. Christopher Southgate3.3.1 Two emerging emphases3.3.2 God’s onging providential engagement3.3.3 Atonement and eschatology3.4 Bethany Sollereder3.4.1 The necessity of suffering3.4.2 The Cooperation of God with the world3.4.3 Eschatological Hope3.4.4 Resistance and Reconciliation in Humans3.5 Paul Fiddes3.5.1 The nature of theodicy3.5.2 Proportionate and disproportionate suffering3.5.3 The state of a fallen universe3.5.4 The ‘only way’ and the argument from non-being3.5.5 The nature of freedom3.5.6 The response of creatures to an open-ended purpose3.5.7 Suffering as something strange to God3.5.8 Divine cooperation and the new creationChapter 4 Mark Wynn (University of Oxford, UK): reflection on the conversationChapter 5 Christopher Southgate: conclusionBibliographyIndex