Thought provoking...

One of the books I have been recently been diving into is called "Satan & The Problem of Evil: Constructing a Trinitarian Warfare Theodicy" by Gregory Boyd. It is not an easy read, but it is well written. It is one of those books you want to take your time and really think about what it is saying. But the bottom line is that it has been really good. It has helped me as a counselor/pastor to think about the lame "classic" answers people - particularly Christians and pastors give to issues of evil, sin, and difficulties that come from living in a fallen world.

Here is the book description from Amazon

Book Description

Where does evil come from?

If there is a sovereign creator God, as Christian faith holds, is this God ultimately responsible for evil?

Does God's sovereignty mean that God causes each instance of sin and suffering?

How do Satan, his demons and hell fit into God's providential oversight of all creation and history?

How does God interact with human intention and action?

If people act freely, does God know in particular every human decision before the choice is made? In this important book Gregory A. Boyd mounts a thorough response to these ages-old questions, which remain both crucial and contentious, both practical and complex.In this work Boyd defends his scripturally grounded trinitarian warfare theodicy (presented in God at War) with rigorous philosophical reflection and insights from human experience and scientific discovery. Critiquing the classical Calvinist solution to the problem of evil, he advocates an alternative understanding of the sovereignty of the trinitarian God and of the reality of Satan that sheds light on our fallen human condition. While all may not agree with Boyd's conclusions, Satan and the Problem of Evil promises to advance the church's discussion of these critical issues.

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If you are a pastor or a counselor, or someone who like me, is also sick of those "classic/no theological foundational" type answers here is another book Boyd has written you might like. I have heard it is good.

"Is God to Blame?: Moving Beyond Pat Answers to the Problem of Evil" by Gregory Boyd.