This work proposes to look at the role of aesthetics within Christian theodicy. Though the recent theodicy literature has often displayed suspicion toward the inclusion of aesthetic criteria, I will argue that theological aesthetics can enrich the theodicy discourse and therefore should be used as a resource in responding to the problem of evil. In Part I, I will attempt to lay a foundation for an aesthetically informed theodicy by examining some of the philosophical frameworks that lie behind Christian theodicy, and seeking to illuminate a framework that allows theological aesthetics to helpfully contribute to the task of theodicy. By offering a preliminary account of theological aesthetics, I will aim to further lay a foundation for how the two areas of theology can interact. In Part II, I will look at three distinct aesthetic motifs or “themes” as they are developed by three different theodicists (one ancient and two contemporary): Augustine, Wendy Farley, and Marilyn McCord Adams. Each of the themes developed by these theodicists offers a different example of how aesthetics can reorient and enrich our perspective on theodicy. Though each, in and of itself, is incomplete, I will argue that they complement and critique one another in helpful ways, and therefore that all of them are useful for Christian theodicy.

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Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This research project makes a contribution to the discourse on the theodicy problem by examining the position adopted by Gregory Boyd known as open theism. Boyd would argue that an open view of God is in a better position to deal with the problem of evil because the traditional understanding of God’s attributes fails to vindicate God of guilt or responsibility for evil and should, therefore, be abandoned in favour of the attractive openness model. Boyd claims that God cannot be held responsible for evil and suffering because the future cannot be known to God. He articulates this perspective from the process thought position that the future is not a reality therefore, cannot be known. Thus, God took a risk when he/she created human being with free will because any free will future actions and thoughts cannot be known by God. God is therefore surprised by the actions and sufferings of human being and therefore has to change his/her plans to meet with the free will actions of human beings. Boyd in articulating his open theism theodicy does so by reconstructing the classical understanding of the attributes of God namely: God’s omniscience, immutability, and omnipotence to give an answer to the theodicy problem. Evangelicals understand the attributes of God to be part of God nature, therefore any changes in the attributes of God means changes to God him/herself. Because of Boyd’s claim to be an evangelical, this project examines the attributes of God as reflected in the works of the early church father to the reformers and influential evangelical scholars in contrast with the work of Boyd. In presenting an evangelical understanding on God and suffering this study concludes that the position adopted by Boyd is a radical departure from evangelicalism and orthodoxy faith and is more consonant of a deistic presentation of God in his/her relation to the world.

Revised Thesis (doctoral)--Monash University, Australia, 2005. / Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 347-367) and index.

Thesis (M.A.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, Wheaton, Ill., 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-124).

Thesis (M.A.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, Wheaton, Ill., 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [121]-124).

Šiame darbe analizuojama, kas yra teodicėja, pateikiamos filosofijos atstovų teorijos apie jos esmę ir keliamas problemas. Magistro darbe nagrinėjami žmonių patiriamų kančių teisingumo, nuodėmės ir jos išpirkimo, tikėjimo klausimai. Teodicėjos problemos užuomazgų randame Šventajame Rašte, o tiksliau, Jobo Knygoje. Teodicėjos problemą savo kūriniuose kėlė ir XIX a. rusų rašytojas F. Dostojevskis. Šiame darbe šiuo aspektu analizuojami jo romanai „Idiotas“, „Demonai“, „Nusikaltimas ir bausmė“, „Broliai Karamazovai“ ir apysakos. Nagrinėjant teodicėjos problemą ypač vertingas paskutinis F. Dostojevskio romanas „Broliai Karamazovai“. Rašytoją jaudinantis tikėjimo ar netikėjimo Dievu klausimas sprendžiamas romano veikėjams priimant ar nepriimant Dievo pasaulį. Žmonių kančių problema F. Dostojevskio kūriniuose susiaurinama iki vaikų kančių problemos. Skaitant kūrinius galima įžvelgti dvi kančių priežastis: gimtoji nuodėmė ir žmonėms būdingas nuodėmingumas. Veikėjų teigimu, blogis- būtina gėrio egzistavimo sąlyga. Rašytojas svarsto, kad žmogui suteikta laisvė yra ir Dievo dovana, ir nepakeliama našta. F. Dostojevskis aiškina žmogaus prigimties blogio priežastis ir ribas. Tačiau jis ir teisina žmogų, nes Visagalis dovanodamas žmogui žodžio laisvę, suteikė jam galimybę teisinti arba smerkti Dievą, sukūrusi šį toli gražu netobulą pasaulį. Iškeltai hipotezei patvirtinti atliktas praktinis tyrimas, kuriame dalyvavo 10 – 12 klasių moksleiviai. Susumavus tyrimo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the current research is to analyze the concept of theodicy. In this Master thesis the theories about the essence of theodicy and the issues that may be raised suggested by various philosophy representatives are to be discussed. The current work is also to consider the questions of justice of human suffering, sins, redemption and faith. The origins of the issues mentioned above can already be found in the Christian doctrine, to be more precise, in the Book of Job. The issue of theodicy is also reflected in the works of 19th century Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky. In this Master thesis some stories and the novels “The Idiot”, “Demons”, “Crime and Punishment”, “The Brothers Karamazov” are to be analyzed. The last novel „The Brothers Karamazov“ raised particular interest. The question of faith and unbelief, which was also important to the author, can be seen in the way the world is accepted or not by various characters. The question of human suffering is narrowed in the novels to the issue of children suffering. Furthermore, in this research the two ways of ‘God’s justification’ for the sufferings mentioned above shall be overviewed, i.e. the original sin of all the people and sinfulness as such present in the lives of people. The presence of evil as an unquestioned condition for the existence of good is keenly discussed by the characters. The issue of freedom as an unbearable gift for every human being is studied by the writer from different... [to full text]

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 353-369). / Microfiche. / xxi, 369 leaves, bound 29 cm

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Osnabrück, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 307-334).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 1996. / Typescript. Includes vita. Bibliography: leaves 81-85.