The Origins of Natural Evil
Christian Perspectives Through History
1st Edition
Published on 2. April 2026
184 pages
978-1-9787-6819-2 (ISBN)
Description
This book presents a historical overview of how Christians have described and negotiated the causes of natural evil.
Within the context of his study, John Adair defines natural evil as evils that are not an obvious, direct result of moral compromise initiated by the free choice of a moral agent, but rather stem from nature itself-e.g., natural disasters, illness, or loss of life. While historical Christian communities' justifications for and responses to natural evil has evolved over time, Adair traces how Christian theodicy rests on a firm commitment to God's goodness. Across seven chapters, this book narrates this evolution of thought, focusing on key figures in history who illustrate the theological continuity around God's goodness. In doing so, Adair builds a theological conversation, prompting readers to consider the collective weight of this historic response to questions of natural evil and query how a response which affirms God's goodness might impact our own reactions to questions of God's relation to the horrors of our daily lives.
Within the context of his study, John Adair defines natural evil as evils that are not an obvious, direct result of moral compromise initiated by the free choice of a moral agent, but rather stem from nature itself-e.g., natural disasters, illness, or loss of life. While historical Christian communities' justifications for and responses to natural evil has evolved over time, Adair traces how Christian theodicy rests on a firm commitment to God's goodness. Across seven chapters, this book narrates this evolution of thought, focusing on key figures in history who illustrate the theological continuity around God's goodness. In doing so, Adair builds a theological conversation, prompting readers to consider the collective weight of this historic response to questions of natural evil and query how a response which affirms God's goodness might impact our own reactions to questions of God's relation to the horrors of our daily lives.
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
ISBN-13
978-1-9787-6819-2 (9781978768192)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
06/2026
Rowman & Littlefield
€105.50
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
John Adair is Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Content
Introduction: The Mystery of Pain Present and Past
Chapter 1: 'They Make You Ill': Demonic Influence in Storms and Sickness
Chapter 2: Floods, Famines, and Fires: Origen on Natural Evil
Chapter 3: Augustine's Commonwealth Within Creation
Chapter 4: Thomas Aquinas and the Question of Natural Evil
Chapter 5: John's Calvin's Determination on Natural Evil
Chapter 6: The Enlightenment and the Disenchantment of the World
Chapter 7: Assessing the Historical Narrative
Chapter 1: 'They Make You Ill': Demonic Influence in Storms and Sickness
Chapter 2: Floods, Famines, and Fires: Origen on Natural Evil
Chapter 3: Augustine's Commonwealth Within Creation
Chapter 4: Thomas Aquinas and the Question of Natural Evil
Chapter 5: John's Calvin's Determination on Natural Evil
Chapter 6: The Enlightenment and the Disenchantment of the World
Chapter 7: Assessing the Historical Narrative
