June 23, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS – An internationally renowned philosopher has strongly criticized traditional notions of God's role in human suffering and evil. In The Problem of Evil and the Problem of God, D. Z. Phillips, a British thinker now at Claremont Graduate University, gives a creative and original argument that the problem of evil is inextricably linked to our conception of God and that the concept of God in recent philosophy of religion is itself problematic, even harmful. He instead argues for God's creative presence amid suffering.

The traditional notion, argues Phillips, leaves Christians wondering how their suffering fits into "God's plan" or God's will, something Phillips's book finds unworthy of God. He instead rethinks the idea of God to show God's benevolent companionship in human suffering.

Here is an ideal text for students of philosophy, religion, or theology, but also for anyone who reflects seriously on the danger of adding to human evils by the way in which we write and think about them.

"This is a wonderful book, clearly written, often moving, an exercise in philosophical elucidation that clears the ground for serious engagement with traditional . . . Christian doctrine. . . ." – Fergus Kerr, honorary Fellow in the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh.

"D. Z. Phillips clarifies the muddles into which rational attempts at theodicy inevitably wander, usually by presuming a divinity that must be answerable to us. . . Here is a philosophy that prepares the way for genuine theological reflection. . . ." – David B. Burrell, Hesburgh Chair of Theology and Philosophy, University of Notre Dame.

D. Z. Phillips currently holds the Danforth Chair in Philosophy of Religion at Claremont Graduate University, California, and is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at the University of Wales, Swansea. His recent books are Religion and Friendly Fire (2004), Recovering Religious Concepts (2000), and Religion and the Hermeneutics of Contemplation (2001). He is editor of the journal Philosophical Investigations and of the series Claremont Studies in the Philosophy of Religion and the Wittgensteinian Studies series.

The Problem of Evil and the Problem of God – ISBN: 0800637755; Format: Paperback, 280 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 inches; Release Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2005; Price: $20.00; Publisher: Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN.

To order The Problem of Evil and the Problem of God call Fortress Press at 1-800-328-4648 or visit the Web site at http://www.augsburgfortress.com/.

Fortress Press