God, Evil, and Innocent Suffering: A Theological Reflection by John E. Thiel. Thiel, professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University, offers a new look at a classic problem, a theological alternative to traditional theodicies. In the book he is critical of the classic Augustinian tradition and how most major theodicies deny the reality of innocent suffering, by arguing that no one truly suffers innocently, or suffering is part of the divine plan, etc.

On the other hand, Thiel argues that people can truly suffer innocently and such suffering is a moral fact before God while at the same time God is all-powerful, all-good, and all-knowing. Thiel shatters Hume’s famous question, “If God is willing to prevent evil, and unable, then He is impotent; if God is able to prevent evil, and unwilling, then He is malevolent; if God is able and willing to prevent evil, whence evil?” by arguing that God does not will suffering or death at all as God is the Author of life and eternally life-creating.

However, in order to do this Thiel makes a significant theological concession. Thiel states that the injustice of innocent suffering is an undeniable and tragic moral fact of life. He rejects the view that God is the cause of suffering either by permitting the evil victimization of some or by willing suffering by natural means. God neither permits, nor wills, nor causes any kind of suffering or death at all since God is self-restrictive in this world according to Thiel. Even though I find many of his ideas disagreeable Thiel’s treatise is a fresh, crisp, gently orthodox approach to a longstanding issue. A recommended read indeed. ( )