The Reality of God and the Problem of Evil

by Brian Davies

An important new book on how we can still believe in a God of love and confront the problem of evil in the world. Probably the most important book on the subject since John Hick's book "Evil and the God of Love".

Evil is a strong word that people now employ fairly rarely. Many people believe these days that God is omnipotent, omniscient and good and that what we deem to be bad or evil in the world is no reason for abandoning belief in God. It is an intellectual or theoretical problem not one where the focus is on how one might bring about some desirable goal (a practical matter).

Professor Davies says we should tackle this problem by attending to the basics, by asking whether there is a God and then 'What is God?' He starts by summarizing the arguments so far (from Seneca to the present day). He then moves to what he describes as the basics (see above) and demonstrates that much of what has been written about on the topic of evil is in fact irrelevant or just plain wrong.

Finally, though many theologians argue that evil is a mystery, Davies argues that this too is wrong and a cop out. We should rather be concerned with the problem (or mystery) of good. The real issue is 'Why is there not more good than there is'. From the discussion Aquinas emerges as a hero (as filtered through analytical philosophy) but many modern thinkers do not emerge so well. Davies effectively picks holes in the arguments of Peter Geach, Paul Helm, Richard Swinburne and even Mary Baker Eddy.

This is a lively book on a tricky subject, written at all times with humour and much practical example.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Religion, Atheism

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2006

About the author

Brian Davies is a Dominican friar and Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, New York. He has published extensively on the thought of St Thomas Aquinas.

Reviews

[J C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been a fan of Davies' overly modest and cautious prose. However, it might be appropriately humble here when dealing with such a sensitive topic. This is probably the best book I've read on the subject, and it exposes the fatal flaw underlying most discussions of God and evil that renders most of them pointless: the assumption that we know what we're talking about when we use words like "good", "evil", "God", "omnipotence", "omniscience," etc. He is repetitive at times because there is absolutely no reason to assume people who've wrestled with the Problem of Evil know what these terms mean. It's a strictly philosophical work demonstrating that it makes no sense to think of God as a peer and moral agent who is accountable to us for not being more good, like we are with each other. For people who want to think hard about evil, suffering and God, read this. Don't waste your time on stuff by confused authors like Thomas Jay Oord.

[Marina E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant whether to rate this book 3 or 4 stars. Three stars because Davies is overly repetitive. Actually, the true name of this books should have been "the problem of evil according to Aquinas and my cat Smokey." He loves Aquinas and agrees with almost everything he has to say on the subject, and although it is great to learn so much about him throughout the book, at one point you are just tired with all the references to him. Four stars because this book gave me a completely novel comprehension of the problem of evil. If you think you will be picking up yet another book full of theodicies and defenses, you are dead wrong! This is a completely different project, and although you get the sense, in the end, that you dont quite get an answer to give on the problem, you will nonetheless be dumbstruck! I highly recommend the read.

[David Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. It is like reading a commentary on Thomistic philosophy. Brian Davies answers the problem of evil in a way that almost no other contemporary author is even attempting. He shows the flaws in other ways of answering the problem, and then defends his own argument. This book is one of the most important books ever written on the problem of evil.

[Naz Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davies's treatment is not pleasant, as in that he doesn't care about your feelings.
His approach to the problem of evil is rooted in classical scholastic theology inspired by the likes of Aquinas, Ibn Sina, and Ghazali.

And what an approach it is! Davies, in my estimation, avoids all of the pitfalls of popular theodicies by sticking to the scholastic definition of evil as privation, and showing with painstaking logic and great, relatable examples, why that definition is true. After he does that, then his assertion that God does not need to be thought of as a moral agent almost follows elegantly and so does the realization that God is creating nothing but good and is the object of all desire and is therefore good.

This is a book I will be revisiting again and again. It has reshaped my whole view of God.

[Vance Gatlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly wordy and confusing. The Appendix barely brought it together for me.

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great explanation of the Thomistic understanding of God. A bit redundant at times, however.