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God's Problem
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(7 Votes)In this sometimes provocative, often pedantic memoir of his own attempts to answer the great theological question about the persistence of evil in the world, Ehrman, a UNCChapel Hill religion professor, refuses to accept the standard theological answers. Through close readings of every section of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, he discovers that the Bible offers numerous answers that are often contradictory. The prophets think God sends pain and suffering as a punishment for sin and also that human beings who oppress others create such misery; the writers who tell the Jesus story and the Joseph stories think God works through suffering to achieve redemptive purposes; the writers of Job view pain as God's test; and the writers of Job and Ecclesiastes conclude that we simply cannot know why we suffer. In the end, frustrated that the Bible offers such a range of opposing answers, Ehrman gives up on his Christian faith and fashions a peculiarly utilitarian solution to suffering and evil in the world: first, make this life as pleasing to ourselves as we can and then make it pleasing to others. Although Ehrman's readings of the biblical texts are instructive, he fails to convince readers that these are indeed God's problems, and he fails to advance the conversation any further than it's already come.
04/07/2011
Bart Ehrman is one of the most prolific and well respected authors and scholars on Biblical studies today. God's Problem is a deeply personal look at the struggle that Ehrman (and each true seeker of truth) faces when examining their beliefs:
* If God is All Powerful
* If God is All Loving
* Why is there suffering?
Ehrman then examines many of the Biblical attempts to answer this age old question - through the Book of Job, Ecclesiastes, Jeremiah and the prophets, the Gospels, the Epistles, apocolyptic literature ranging from Daniel to Revelation, and even extends it to Dostoyevsky. The challenges, contradictions and intellectual wangling come to life in his writing.
Ehrman's personal wrestling with these same issues and with a Biblical knowledge that was honed over decades of study leads him to an agnostic worldview.He is clear and consise in his argument for it, and provides the reader with much to ponder.And while the challenges to faith are real and powerful, the book presents a position that is non-dogmatic.Understanding that the book is a reflection of Ehrman's personal struggles with the topic (and he doesn't hide this perspective at all) leaves the reader open to maintain, adapt or adopt any belief system on the topic.
A good book, one that will make you think, and think critically.The philosophy and scholarship is as sound as any on Biblical exegesis and history, and the personal aspects make it extremely appraochable for the scholar and layman alike.
23/06/2011
Ehrman's book was well written, lucid, comprehensive & thoroughly convincing; an excellent study. Now, after reading it, I'm an agnostic. Dang.
14/06/2011
Whether or not one agrees with professor Ehrman's views, this book is most thought-provoking. Non Christians always ask, "Why does God allow suffering?" while Christians generally gloss over the issues and come up with an Adam-and-Eve answer or something equally unsubstantial. Whether you are a believer or unbeliever, this book will provide you with plenty of food for thought. If you are a Christian, you will see the questions commonly raised believers. It is a most useful book on all accounts.
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