Podcasts about Theodicy

More than forty years after his twenty-five-year-old son Eric died in a climbing accident, philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff joins Miroslav Volf to revisit the grief behind his classic Lament for a Son and his recent Living with Grief. “If he was worth loving when alive, he was worth grieving when dead.” In this episode they reflect together on mourning loss, refusing both the consolations of theodicy and the pressure to move on. Together they discuss owning grief rather than disowning it, lament as a cry that transcends analysis, and the limits of explaining suffering through theodicy. They explore Augustine and Calvin on grief, Karl Barth's “nothingness,” universality hidden in particular sorrow, and the prison classroom where incarcerated men claimed their own grief redemptively. Episode Highlights "I could not, and would not, allow it simply to heal." "If he was worth loving when alive, he was worth grieving when dead." "In my story I always say: I am one who lost a son. That's part of who I am." "Children should not die at twenty-five years of age. Nobody should die at twenty-five years of age." "It was good that I loved Eric. It was worth it. So my grief is worthwhile. And, in this world, love and suffering come together." About Nicholas Wolterstorff Nicholas Wolterstorff is the Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology at Yale University and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia. Born in 1932, he earned his PhD at Harvard and taught philosophy for thirty years at Calvin College before joining Yale in 1989. A leading Christian philosopher, he helped develop Reformed epistemology and co-founded the Society of Christian Philosophers. His books span aesthetics, epistemology, justice, and liturgy, including Lament for a Son (1987) and the memoir In This World of Wonders (2019). His son Eric died in a climbing accident in 1983. Helpful Links and Resources Lament for a Son, by Nicholas Wolterstorff https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467419239/lament-for-a-son/ Living with Grief, by Nicholas Wolterstorff https://wipfandstock.com/9798385201006/living-with-grief/ Calvin Prison Initiative https://calvin.edu/prison-initiative Show Notes Grief as an open wound Two books, forty years apart: Lament for a Son and Living with Grief Eric Wolterstorff's death at twenty-five in a climbing accident, Austria, 1983 Lament as a cry, not an analysis "I could not, and would not, allow it simply to heal." Grief-process books that failed: "inviting me to look away from Eric" "If he was worth loving when alive, he was worth grieving when dead." Owning grief versus disowning it; narrative identity "I am one who lost a son"; grief as part of who you are Augustine's moral disowning; shame over loving too much Owning grief redemptively; good that couldn't have come otherwise Calvin Prison Initiative, Handlon Correctional Facility, Ionia, MI Prison classroom: "we were in grief but didn't know how to express it. You have given us the words." Universality in particularity The pallet of finished books: "What have I done?" Grief brought on oneself: "not an assault, but we brought it onto ourselves" Karl Barth's "nothingness"; evil God will defeat "Children should not die at twenty-five years of age." Love that knowingly risks grief: "love and suffering come together" #NicholasWolterstorff #LamentForASon #LivingWithGrief #Grief #Lament #Theodicy #FaithAndGrief #MiroslavVolf #ForTheLifeOfTheWorld #YaleFaithAndCulture Production Notes This podcast featured Nicholas Wolterstorff with Miroslav Volf Edited and Produced by Evan Rosa Hosted by Evan Rosa Production Assistance by Noah Senthil A Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/about Support For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

At age 22, Sydney's Bennett's brain stopped communicating with her body correctly; she was suffering from Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition in which the nervous system stops sending or interpreting signals the right way. Suddenly this bright, beautiful, college girl, recently married, was having seizures, numbness, difficulty moving. Soon she needed a cane, then a wheelchair. But, when we are weak, we are strong, and she found her rock in Jesus our cornerstone. Today she is a faithful and faith-filled advocate, mother of two, and (in the view of your host) present-day Job; and Job reminds us, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Sydney's book, Fearfully and Wonderfully Broken, on Amazon, and also from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, where you can listen to the first chapter of the audio book. The episode of Almost Good Catholics with Mako Fujimura talking about kintsugi (which I excerpted): Mako Fujimura on Almost Good Catholics, episode 14: The Silence of God: The Meaning of Our Suffering and Redemption Other related Almost Good Catholics episodes about the Book of Job and the meaning of suffering: Jonathon Fessenden on Almost Good Catholics, episode 58: The Book of Job: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? Brian Zahnd on Almost Good Catholics, episode 112: The Tree of Life: “no one who loves the way of Grace ever comes to a bad end.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

At age 22, Sydney's Bennett's brain stopped communicating with her body correctly; she was suffering from Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition in which the nervous system stops sending or interpreting signals the right way. Suddenly this bright, beautiful, college girl, recently married, was having seizures, numbness, difficulty moving. Soon she needed a cane, then a wheelchair. But, when we are weak, we are strong, and she found her rock in Jesus our cornerstone. Today she is a faithful and faith-filled advocate, mother of two, and (in the view of your host) present-day Job; and Job reminds us, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Sydney's book, Fearfully and Wonderfully Broken, on Amazon, and also from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, where you can listen to the first chapter of the audio book. The episode of Almost Good Catholics with Mako Fujimura talking about kintsugi (which I excerpted): Mako Fujimura on Almost Good Catholics, episode 14: The Silence of God: The Meaning of Our Suffering and Redemption Other related Almost Good Catholics episodes about the Book of Job and the meaning of suffering: Jonathon Fessenden on Almost Good Catholics, episode 58: The Book of Job: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? Brian Zahnd on Almost Good Catholics, episode 112: The Tree of Life: “no one who loves the way of Grace ever comes to a bad end.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Liz Hall is a psychologist and professor at Biola who, at 45, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer — and discovered that her training had barely prepared her for it. She joins Michael to talk about her book When the Journey Hurts, co-written with theologians Kelly Kapic and Jason McMartin, and what a decade of research and lived suffering taught her about meaning, faith, and staying human in the hard middle.They talk about why the degree to which something threatens our worldview is exactly the degree to which it causes distress. They discuss the "problematic roadmaps" Christians often get handed — vague theology that begins and ends with Romans 8:28, triumphalism that rushes past suffering toward victory, and theodicy that answers a question no one in crisis is actually asking. Liz also describes a study on Ignatian prayer, walking people through twenty moments of Christ's suffering on their phones — and finding that identifying with Christ in suffering drew people closer to God in measurable ways. And they end where you might not expect: with lament, and with Psalm 88, which doesn't resolve.Support the showENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:- Follow us on YouTube - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS- Like us on Facebook- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter- Follow Michael on Twitter- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

Series Title: ContendersSermon Title: TheodicyLearn more about us at livingstonescma.org.

Luke 13:1-9

Joshua Yen joins me in this video to discuss the project of Anti-Theodicy. Josh's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Phil4All Josh's Other Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joshuayen3 Twitter: https://twitter.com/AApologetics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adherentapol... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adherentapo... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adherentapologetics

Throughout the account of Jesus' trial and crucifixion we see endless irony that is both surreal and So Real

Throughout the account of Jesus' trial and crucifixion we see endless irony that is both surreal and So Real

Katie checks in with actor (Black Milk at CSC, Cancer, Cancer, Cancer at Ars Nova, Lost in Yonkers at Hartford Stage), playwright (The Matriarchs, The Gett), and TV writer (Star City on Apple TV), Liba Vaynberg.

Our word of the day for this episode is: THEODICY (you need to listen to find out what it means). Pastor Eric joins us to talk with Marnie about the Biblical book of Job. Eric digs into the various components of the story and even relates to how it influenced his decision to become a pastor. So, “gird up your loins,” listen in, and get ready as we walk through this invitation to wrestle with God!

The Gospel According to Job 3 Welcome to Gospel Rant! Dr. Bill is going to suggest that we have misunderstood how we are to ‘win’ in our Christian walk. It is not about the Retributive Principle at all. In fact, the clue is found all the way back in Genesis. Here’s one very provocative quote in this show. “Faith says that God’s wisdom is such that there is a possibility that going through hell could be part of an elaborate loving gift of God to one he wants to reward.” Both wildly troubling and comforting at the same time. It just may answer a few of your many questions to God. Or…It may give you a few more. And now, it’s your turn…

The Gospel According to Job 2 Welcome to Gospel Rant! The book of job has unnerved, frightened and confused Christians for millennia. I wonder, maybe, just maybe, if we get the core message? You just may be surprised. We’ll talk about it. Welcome to Gospel Rant Podcast and DrBillSenyard YouTube channel. I am your host, Dr. Bill Senyard. We are free wherever you get good podcasts. Of course on YouTube as well, so please subscribe as always. One of the fastest ways you can help us grow it by leaving your comments below, thank you sincerely for that. Also thanks for making Gospel Rant podcast one of the top 10% podcasts in the world. We are #4 in St. Kitts and Nevis and #19 in Sierra Leone. Give me a shout out if you are from either (Bill@Gospel-App.com). Thanks for listening. We hope that it helps to regularly hear about God’s love that loves the unlovable, unloved, unlovely, unworthy and unlikely, and that’s all of us on any given day if we were just a little bit honest. And now, it’s your turn…

What do you actually do on sabbatical?In this episode of Sabbatical Insider, Professor Frederick J. Long shares a candid look into his sabbatical life in Arizona—from family time and pacing work, to writing a fantasy/sci-fi novel he began over 20 years ago.Along the way, Fred reflects on:- Writing fiction as a form of theological reflection- Theodicy and the meaning of evil as “bad on purpose”- Creating new worlds, creatures, and language- The discipline (and grace) of aiming for 500 words a day- How imagination, grammar, and conceptualization shape how we thinkThis episode is part personal journal, part writing workshop, and part theological reflection—especially for scholars, writers, and anyone navigating rest, productivity, and purpose.

The Gospel According to Job 1 Welcome to Gospel Rant! The book of job has unnerved, frightened and confused Christians for millennia. I wonder, maybe, just maybe, if we get the core message? You just may be surprised. We’ll talk about it. Welcome to Gospel Rant Podcast and DrBillSenyard YouTube channel. I am your host, Dr. Bill Senyard. We are free wherever you get good podcasts. Of course on YouTube as well, so please subscribe as always. One of the fastest ways you can help us grow it by leaving your comments below, thank you sincerely for that. Also thanks for making Gospel Rant podcast one of the top 10% podcasts in the world. We hope that it helps to regularly hear about God’s love that loves the unlovable, unloved, unlovely, unworthy and unlikely, and that’s all of us on any given day if we were just a little bit honest. Here's a couple of teasers that you may find interesting—and maybe never heard before. So many of us think that Job is about the dangers of challenging and questioning God. And when you do, you need to repent very quickly. While that’s a clean morality message, it is not the message of Job. Job never officially repents—that is he does not use the Hebrew word for repent. Instead, he says, “I revoke (??) and I find comfort in ashes and dust.” Interesting and not what is usually taught. Second, God said at the end (Job 42:7) that Job had spoken what is right. So what did Job have to repent of? Maybe, in spite of what we’ve all been told, the book isn’t about ‘repentance.’ Curious. Third, Chapter 28 appears to have been shoved right into the middle of one of Job’s long tirades, but it does not appear to belong there. What’s going on? Curious? Welcome to our program. And now, it’s your turn…

At a live show at Metro in Chicago, bestselling author Kaveh Akbar reads a poem about empathy that he wrote for Jamila Woods. Jamila and Kaveh are old friends, and they discuss empathy in a brutal world, and the echo within questions of theodicy. The University of Chicago's Dr. Eman Abdelhadi speaks about community, empathy, and belonging, and about her speculative fiction novel Everything for Everyone. Jamila Woods finishes the episode with the premiere of a brand new song called "Ordinary As Air." The show was a fundraiser for A Long Walk Home, a local non-profit that provides opportunities for girls and young women.Chapters00:01:34Kaveh Akbar introduces a poem he wrote for Jamila Woods00:05:26Dr. Eman Abdelhadi talks about her research on empathy26:29:39Jamila Woods introduces her new songSongWriterPodcast.comInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcastTikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcastYouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com. Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation

Dr. Joshua Sijuwade came on the podcast to discuss his work on the problem of evil. Writings from Dr. Joshua Sijuwade: https://philarchive.org/s/Joshua%20Sijuwade ----------------------------- SOCIAL MEDIA --------------------------- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AApologetics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adherentapol... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adherentapo... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adherentapologetics

Thor: Love and Thunder opens with one of philosophy's oldest questions: if gods exist and have the power to prevent suffering, why don't they? But does the film actually engage with this theodicy question, or does it abandon the premise for jokes and spectacle? We compare the movie's treatment of Gorr the God Butcher to the comics' more sustained exploration of divine accountability.Questions we explored:What is theodicy, and why does it matter to Gorr's story?How does the comic version of Gorr differ from the film's portrayal?Does Thor: Love and Thunder set up the theodicy question well but then fail to follow through?Is Thor innocent of Gorr's accusations of other gods, since Thor doesn't cultivate the worship of mortals?Why does the film version of Gorr lack encounters with other cruel or indifferent gods?How does comic Thor resolve the God Butcher arc by becoming a god who suffers alongside humanity?Has Thor regressed to his character from the first movie, undoing his growth from previous films?Is Thor: Love and Thunder's tonal inconsistency its biggest weakness?**************************************************************************This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Star Wars Generations.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast's main page. You can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

I've demonstrated that evil doesn't make God's existence impossible or even unlikely, but one might wonder why, if God exists, He permits evil. What is the purpose? This is the question of theodicy. I cover five reasons God might permit evil:1.       To better our souls via moral growth (soul-making theodicy)2.       To bring glory to God3.       To make moral freedom and love possible4.       To make happiness possible5.       To reveal more of God to usWeb: ThinkingtoBelieve.comEmail: ThinkingToBelieve@gmail.comFacebook: facebook.com/thinkingtobelieveTwitter & Gettr: @thinking2believTruth: @ThinkingToBelieveParler: @thinkingtobelieve

Mark 14:26-42 (ESV)Andrew and Edwin discuss the theodicy of Jesus's prayer in the garden. P.S. A theodicy is a defense of God in the face of evil in the world.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=23677The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

In this week's Sermon Extra, Pastors Nick and Michael dive into the questions raised by Habakkuk's lament in chapter 1 and explore why God allows evil and suffering in the world. Along the way, they also discuss the meaning of the word “delve”—and debate whether Michael might actually be a robot.

How does one find hope in the midst of the suffering and evil that are present in our world? Why do we blame God when there are things we can do to make a difference?  Join Carla, Tony and Charmaine as they discuss Liberation Theodicies' answer to these questions and more ... and how their focus on Jesus' understanding of systemic injustice calls us to move from theory to action.   Recommended by Tony and Charmaine for further study: Why is There Suffering: Pick Your Own Theological Expedition by Bethany Sollereder Download TranscriptThanks for listening to Project Zion Podcast!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission:“For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org“The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey. NOTE: The series that make up the Project Zion Podcast explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Project Zion Podcast is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey. NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

Who are the 24 elders from Revelation? Magisterium or Scripture? Theodicy? Join us for Open Line Friday with Colin Donovan.

The author of the book and podcast "Grace Saves All," David Artman, describes his entry into universalism and the development of his book and raises the issue of its playing the role of a theodicy. (Sign up for the class Human Language, Signs of God: using Anthony Bartlett's two books, Theology Beyond Metaphysics and Signs of Change, as one continuous argument.  The course will run from 2025/9/16 to 2025/11/4. Register here: https://pbi.forgingploughshares.org/) If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Become a Patron!

Mark 1:40-45 (LSB)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss Jesus's healing the leper and how it speaks to the problem of evil in the world.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=22453The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Redemption Hyperlink Episode (E11) — There are so many themes in the Bible, from redemption to exile, to mountains and cities. In every series, we attempt to isolate and study one biblical theme. But it's important to remember that biblical themes are woven together throughout the Bible like instruments in a symphony. Today in this hyperlink episode, we'll listen to clips from previous podcast series where the theme of redemption also came up in Jon and Tim's conversations.View all of our resources for Redemption →CHAPTERS Redemption and the Day of Atonement (0:00-30:24)Redeeming the Time (30:24-38:20)Redemption From the Grave (38:20-50:24)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCESClip 1 is from “What Is the Day of Atonement?,” episode 6 in our 2022 series, Leviticus Scroll.The Mythic Mind by Nicolas WyattSin, Impurity, Sacrifice, Atonement: The Priestly Conceptions by Jay SklarCult and Character: Purification Offerings, Day of Atonement, and Theodicy by Roy GaneClip 2 is from “Poetry Q+R,” episode 22 in our 2018 series How To Read the Bible.Clip 3 is from “What Happens After We Die?,” episode 3 in our 2017 series, Nephesh / Soul.Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. WrightYou can view annotations for this episode—plus our entire library of videos, podcasts, articles, and classes—in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“Eucalyptus ft. Eluzai” by Lofi Sunday“Solace ft. ahmo” by Lofi SundayBibleProject theme song by TENTSSHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Pastor Mark wraps up our "By Faith" series in Hebrews 11 with a focus on verses 34-40. Between infertility, poverty, anxiety, disability, loneliness, sickness, persecution, depression, a difficult divorce, a debilitating disease, a tragic death, he sums up the passage with this: Life is unfair, then we die. We may not get all the answers we want in difficult circumstances but regardless we look to Christ who persevered through suffering for the joy set before him. Therefore we ought to, "Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. William D. Dennison, pastor of Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Kent, Washington, to reflect on Cornelius Van Til's student paper “Evil and Theodicy” and the enduring challenges of explaining evil in a world governed by a sovereign, good God. Dennison has edited The Problem of Evil, a new volume that includes an edition of this paper and a helpful introductory essay that brings Van Til’s paper in dialogue with contemporary thinkers. Dr. Dennison offers a deeply personal and theological meditation on Van Til's conviction that God himself is the only sufficient theodicy. We explore how the mystery of evil cannot be unraveled by philosophical speculation or evidentialist reasoning, but only understood through the revelation of the triune God in Scripture. The conversation moves from Van Til's early insights as a seminary student to the contemporary relevance of his critique of autonomy, his rejection of theistic rationalism, and his insistence on beginning all thinking with the self-attesting Christ of Scripture. Along the way, Dr. Dennison shares biographical reflections on Van Til, his own pedagogical experiences in teaching apologetics, and the pastoral importance of grounding theological inquiry in the redemptive narrative of Scripture rather than speculative philosophy. This episode is a must for those who desire to think confessionally and presuppositionally about one of the most difficult questions in theology. Watch on YouTube Chapters [0:00:07] Introduction [0:05:04] Background to the Project [0:16:55] The Historical and Biographical Context of Van Til’s Student Paper [0:22:55] Van Til’s Main Point [0:28:21] God Is His Own Defense [0:35:26] Van Til and Plantinga's Free Will Defense [0:41:59] The Fourfold Estate of Man [0:54:42] Van Til’s Critique of Kant [0:58:40] Treating Theodicy as a Fundamentally Religious Matter [1:08:45] Conclusion Participants: Bill Dennison, Camden Bucey, Danny Olinger, Lane G. Tipton

In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. William D. Dennison, pastor of Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Kent, Washington, to reflect on Cornelius Van Til's student paper “Evil and Theodicy” and the enduring challenges of explaining evil in a world governed by a sovereign, good God. Dennison has edited The Problem of Evil, a new volume that includes an edition of this paper and a helpful introductory essay that brings Van Til's paper in dialogue with contemporary thinkers. Dr. Dennison offers a deeply personal and theological meditation on Van Til's conviction that God himself is the only sufficient theodicy. We explore how the mystery of evil cannot be unraveled by philosophical speculation or evidentialist reasoning, but only understood through the revelation of the triune God in Scripture. The conversation moves from Van Til's early insights as a seminary student to the contemporary relevance of his critique of autonomy, his rejection of theistic rationalism, and his insistence on beginning all thinking with the self-attesting Christ of Scripture. Along the way, Dr. Dennison shares biographical reflections on Van Til, his own pedagogical experiences in teaching apologetics, and the pastoral importance of grounding theological inquiry in the redemptive narrative of Scripture rather than speculative philosophy. This episode is a must for those who desire to think confessionally and presuppositionally about one of the most difficult questions in theology. Chapters [0:00:07] Introduction [0:05:04] Background to the Project [0:16:55] The Historical and Biographical Context of Van Til's Student Paper [0:22:55] Van Til's Main Point [0:28:21] God Is His Own Defense [0:35:26] Van Til and Plantinga's Free Will Defense [0:41:59] The Fourfold Estate of Man [0:54:42] Van Til's Critique of Kant [0:58:40] Treating Theodicy as a Fundamentally Religious Matter [1:08:45] Conclusion

Bro. Lankford Oxendine preached a message entitled “Theodicy” during the Wednesday Evening service on July 16, 2025, at North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, California. View Archived Services at nvbc.org

Rev. Rufus Smith pauses our sermon series, "It Don't Mean That," to take time out to discuss "Theodicy: Regarding the Destruction of Camp Mystic: Why Must An Almighty Just Father Allowed this Tragedy." He teaches us that theodicy is a compound Greek word: “Theos” means God and “Dikē” means justice). So the word translates into the question: Why Would An Almighty, Loving and Just God Allow Injustice?Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis:Website • HopeChurchMemphis.comInstagram • @Hope4MemphisTikTok • @Hope4MemphisFacebook • @Hope4MemphisPrayer • HopeChurchMemphis.com/PrayerGiving • HopeChurchMemphis.com/Give

We are all familiar with this theological problem: If God is all-loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, why is there is so much evil and suffering in the world? Theodicy is the attempt to reconcile these realities and thus justify God. But is a Christian theodicy possible?

The blissful existence of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous raise difficult questions for the believer: If God is in total control of all that transpires, why would He cause pain to those who obey His words and reward those who neglect them? In this pithy mishnah we learn that the classical reconciliation […]

Whatever questions we may have about the reason behind our pain, Christians can't possibly conclude that God is aloof from suffering, that He doesn't care about evil, or that He hasn't done anything about it. Today, Barry Cooper presents three truths that help us trust in the goodness of God when facing the darkness of this world. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/theodicy/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Text a Message to the ShowIn this episode we're listening to a portion of a podcast episode where podcaster and police officer Chad Campese interviewed Jared Altic. This part of Chad's episode focuses on the stress that first responders endure and how a chaplain's understanding of philosophy, psychology, and theology contributes to officer wellness.Music is by Wes HutchinsonHey Chaplain podcast Bonus Episode 43Tags:Chaplaincy, Design, God, Meaning, Philosophy, Police, Psychology, Purpose, Stress, Theodicy, Theology, Wellness, Kansas City, KansasSupport the showThanks for Listening! And, as always, pray for peace in our city.Subscribe/Follow here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-chaplain/id1570155168 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CGK9A3BmbFEUEnx3fYZOY Email us at: heychaplain44@gmail.comYou can help keep the show ad-free by buying me a virtual coffee!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/heychaplain

If God is Good, Why is There Suffering?A hard look at the biggest question: why is life so hard if God loves us?Here'a a look at the answer, and what to do about it!Scripture: Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, Proverbs 2:10Book Mentioned: Is God Real? by Lee StrobelChapters00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery01:00 Purpose and Vision of the Podcast01:41 Exploring the Topic of Suffering01:43 Revisiting Early Episodes02:08 The Neurobiology of Suffering02:28 Season Two and Subscriber Information03:35 Deep Dive into Suffering03:57 Personal Reflections on Suffering04:43 Theodicy and Philosophical Questions05:31 Listener Questions and Chronic Suffering06:30 Personal Story and Theodicy12:22 Philosophical Insights on Suffering18:20 The Bear Analogy20:32 Understanding Suffering Through Analogy21:51 God's Perspective on Suffering22:22 The Role of Free Will in Suffering23:11 The Origin of Human Suffering23:56 The Bigger Picture of Good and Evil24:21 Critiquing God and the Long Narrative25:53 God's Plan for Redemption27:00 Personal Growth Through Suffering29:23 The Purpose of Suffering34:43 The Story of the Thai Cave Rescue38:19 The Ongoing Battle Against Evil39:31 Finding Strength in FaithResources and Links:

We are joined again by Professor John Swinton, ahead of his summer class “Theology, Mental Health and the Problem of Suffering” (May 12-16). We discuss his recent research on systemic factors that contribute to mental health challenges, methods in practical theology and the issue of casual theodicy in Christian communities. We discuss the mystery of God's hiddenness, sitting with the unresolved in church communities, and the importance of boundaries in friendship and caring for people with mental health challenges and disabilities. John also briefly mentions his album Beautiful Songs About Difficult Things, where he integrates his many years of theological reflection into artistic meditations for the church. We're hoping he'll sing a few songs for us in May!Bio Professor John Swinton is a Scottish theologian, ordained minister in the Church of Scotland, and a former mental health nurse. He holds the Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen, where he specializes in practical theology and pastoral care. He has made significant contributions to disability theology and the theology of mental health. Throughout his career, John has emphasized the importance of understanding personhood and spirituality in the context of mental health and disability, advocating for more inclusive and compassionate approaches within religious communities and healthcare settings.Previous Podcast AppearancesA Thick Understanding of Mental Health (December 2022)I Have Never Met a Mentally Healthy Person (June 2019) Books ReferencedFinding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges (2020)Dementia: Living in the Memories of God (2012)Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

Text a Message to the ShowThis is the second part of our story of Detective Dana Gouge, who handcuffed the BTK serial killer, Dennis Rader.  If you haven't heard part one which told the story of a narcissistic serial killer who couldn't stop talking… then what are you doing?! Go back and listen to Ep 110 right now!  We left off with Detective Gouge putting the handcuffs on Dennis Rader before the task force took him to be interviewed.  Dana is going to tell us a bit about those interviews but what I find interesting, and what I think is missing from your typical true crime podcast, is what effect it had on the detectives to encounter a truly evil man, to be the team working such a large case, and then to wrap it up.  So I'm going to explore these topics with Dana and talk about how that affects him twenty years later.But first let me tell you what I did not reveal in part 1: the reason I know Dana Gouge.  Dana isn't just a retired homicide detective, today he's also a chaplain.  In fact at the time of this recording he's in the process of becoming a police chaplain at the same agency where I serve.  I'm really excited about the prospect of serving alongside him and his background in both policing and now counseling, pastoral care, ministry, and theology make him an excellent person to discuss the topic what to do when you encounter true evil. Dana's invitation: May 18, 2025 at One Hope Church, 9400 Nall, Overland Park, KSMusic is by Brian Bolger and by Chris HaugenHey Chaplain Podcast Episode 110.5Tags:Serial Killer, BTK Killer, Chaplaincy, Detectives, DNA, Evil, Faith, Family, FBI, History, Hospice, Infighting, Interviews, Investigations, Murder, Police, Task Forces, Theodicy, Wichita, KansasSupport the showThanks for Listening! And, as always, pray for peace in our city.Subscribe/Follow here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-chaplain/id1570155168 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CGK9A3BmbFEUEnx3fYZOY Email us at: heychaplain44@gmail.comYou can help keep the show ad-free by buying me a virtual coffee!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/heychaplain

Believer, you may be asking: Where is God in my pain? Rodgers Atwebembeire is no stranger to seasons of trial, and he has learned to draw wisdom and strength from God's Word in the darkest of times. Come with him on this journey through Psalm 77 and find renewed hope.

In this third installment on the Problem of Evil, Dr. Jacobs lays the groundwork for understanding Eastern patristic theodicy. Why can God do no evil, despite having free will? And why don't these conditions apply to humans? Tune in because this will lay the foundation for the finale episode on the problem of evil. All the links: X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastSubstack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs 00:00:00 Intro 00:05:18 The narrative of the problem of evil 00:18:29 A refresher: goodness, evil, and the great chain of being00:33:03 If God has free will and can't commit evil, why can't humans do the same? 01:02:55 The permissive will of God 

Welcome to Day 2594 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2589 – Wisdom Nuggets – Old Testament Orientation – Staying Loyal to God: Poetry, Theodicy, Salvation, and Afterlife – Psalm 119:9-16 Putnam Church Message – 03/23/2025 Sermon Series: Old Testament Orientation Message 11: Staying Loyal to God: Poetry, Theodicy, Salvation, Afterlife   Last week, we continued our Old Testament Orientation series and explored the Books of Wisdom: Knowing God and Being Loyal to Him. These books are my favorite genre in the Old Testament. We explored from an ancient Israelite worldview. This week, we will investigate the concept of Staying Loyal to God as we consider Poetry, Theodicy (understanding the ways of God), Salvation, and Afterlife. These concepts allow us to view the Old Testament from an Ancient Israelite worldview. Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, we humbly gather in Your presence today to open our hearts and minds to the richness of Your Word. God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, You have spoken to us through stories, poems, wisdom, and prophecy, all revealing Your character and guiding us into deeper loyalty toward You. Help us today, O Lord, to understand the poetry that reflects our deepest feelings, to wrestle honestly with God's ways with questions of suffering and justice, to grasp the nature of Salvation as You have revealed it through Your faithful servants, and to trust in Your promises regarding life beyond death. Enlighten us by Your Spirit. We humbly come before You to dive deeply into Your timeless truths. Speak to us clearly, gracious God, and mold our lives according to Your Word. In Your Holy Name, we pray, Amen. Introduction Today, we gather to explore poetry, theodicy (the ways of God), what is Salvation, and the afterlife from the eyes and hearts of our ancient Israelite brothers and sisters. More than 50% of the Old Testament is written in Hebrew poetry, and yet it does not reveal itself in that manner using our English translations. Imagine yourselves living in a time when poetry was the primary language of your heart's deepest cries,/ when wrestling with God's justice was your constant reality,/ when Salvation hinged on loyalty rather than ritual,/ and when the afterlife was a shadowy unknown./ Let us journey through these truths, with Psalm 119:9-16 as our anchor. Psalm 119:9-16 (NLT) “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you—don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.” Main Points with Object Lessons, Stories, and Illustrations Poetry: Speaking Honestly to God Ancient Israelites used poetry as a heartfelt dialogue with Yahweh, full of honesty and passion. Like David in Psalm 69, their words weren't always polite but always genuine. ...

This conversation is based on a sermon titled, "Resisting the Dragon," from Revelation 12.

Resources to Click ·   “Where Would We Be Without Genesis 3? Understanding the Significance of Sin” – Stephen J. Wellum ·  “Ford Pinto Fatal Flaw Exposed by Consumer Advocacy Reporting” – Factual America · “Theodicy and the Historical Adam: Questioning a Central Assumption Motivating Historicist Readings,” - Patrick Franklin ·  Theme of the Month: Whatever Happened to the Doctrine of Sin? ·  Give to Support the Work   Books to Read ·  Man's Nature and His Communities: Essays on the Dynamics and Enigmas of Man's Personal and Social Existence – Reinhold Niebuhr ·  God after Darwin: A Theology of Evolution – John F. Haught ·  The Symbolism of Evil – Paul Ricoeur, trans. Emerson Buchanan · Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique – J.P Moreland et al. ·  Reformed Dogmatics – Herman Bavinck ·  “Anthropology,” by Kelly M. Kapic in Christian Dogmatics: Reformed Theology for the Church Catholic – ed. Michael Allen & Scott R. Swain · “Incurvatus Est in Se: Toward a Theology of Sin,” in Ruined Sinners to Reclaim: Sin and Depravity in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective – ed. David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson ·  Evil and the Cross – Henri Blocher · Original Sin: Illuminating the Riddle (NSBT) – Henri Blocher ·  Defending Sin: A Response to the Challenge of Evolution and the Natural Sciences – Hans Madueme

This episode is part interview and part dialogue between Justin Schieber and Christian YouTuber Kyle Alander about Kyle's preferred approach to the problem of evil. Alander adopts a defeat-based approach along the lines of Marilyn McCord Adams, Trent Dougherty, and John Schneider. In this almost four hour long episode, they discuss how defeat is understood in the dialectic surrounding the problem of evil. We also unpack Kyle's preferred defeat-based theodicy before exploring at some length multiple objections to it in an effort to clarify details. However, one topic we avoid here is whether adding such rich detail to one's core theory in response to the data of evil and suffering should come at some epistemic cost for the theist. That topic will hopefully be explored in future videos. This episode is not only ridiculously long, it is also unique in its format. Rather than being a live recording, this is instead composed of video clips recorded with our cell phones in response to each other as time permitted - in most cases, this meant every other day. Those clips were then edited together into what you're about to watch. Because this is a complicated topic, the conversation does include some misinterpretation but ultimately I think you'll see that it tends toward clarity and understanding. Kyle's channel (Christian Idealism): https://www.youtube.com/@christianidealism7868

Text us your questions!Brian Zahnd is back with us to discuss his favorite novel, Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Brian is starting a public online course going through the book, which is notoriously philosophically and theologically rich, so we thought it would be fun to have him on to discuss its major themes and why it has been so influential in his life. We cover Dostoevsky's famously powerful presentation of the problem of suffering, the implications for theodicy, how Jesus features in the book, Dostoevsky's personal history, his influence as an author and psychologist, and more.There's still time to join Brian's 10-week study of the book, which begins in January. Get tickets (donation of any amount) here.=====Want to support us?The best way is to subscribe to our Patreon. Annual memberships are available for a 10% discount.If you'd rather make a one-time donation, you can contribute through our PayPal. Other important info: Rate & review us on Apple & Spotify Follow us on social media at @PPWBPodcast Watch & comment on YouTube Email us at pastorandphilosopher@gmail.com Cheers!

“How can an all-powerful, all-good God exist in a world filled with suffering?"   It's one of the toughest questions Christians face. In this episode, we dive into the problem of evil and the powerful apologetic responses of something called, theodicy. Let's get equipped to address our doubts, engage in meaningful conversations, and deepen your own faith as we tackle one of philosophy's biggest challenges—head-on. Let's explore how our God is still good, even when suffering is still a reality.

Because of our unique identities, passions, and gifts, each one of us embodies a unique beauty in the world. Each of us is a limited edition. In today's episode, international speaker, theologian, apologist, and author, Amy Orr-Ewing unpacks the beauty of authenticity and encourages us to find our own unique voice.  More specifically, Amy discusses her latest book, Lead Like the Real You: Wisdom for Women on Finding Your Voice, Pursuing God's Calling, and Leading with Courage, sharing important insights on the uniqueness of leading as a woman at home, at work, or in ministry. She also dives into some of life's big questions, including how she holds fast to the beauty of God amidst the brokenness of life. So, if you're needing a reminder of your unique beauty or perhaps the goodness and beauty of God, this conversation is for you.Buy Melissa L. Johnson's book, Soul-Deep Beauty: Fighting for Our True Worth in a World Demanding Flawless, here. Learn more about Impossible Beauty and join the community here.