Theodicy of Love: Part 1 - Wrestling with the Problem of Evil!

In this episode of "Knowing God with John Peckham," host Gio engages in a deep-dive conversation with Dr. John Peckham about his book "The Theodicy of Love," which addresses the complex issue of the problem of evil. They explore the philosophical and theological underpinnings of theodicy, focusing on the logical, evidential, and existential challenges related to the presence of evil in a world governed by a benevolent and omnipotent God. Dr. Peckham shares insights from his extensive research and personal journey in theology, offering a chapter-by-chapter analysis of his book. This dialogue promises to enlighten and challenge viewers, inviting them to reflect on their own understanding of divine justice and love.

[lindasw]

Nicely Done and thanks so much for this posting....a blessing, Pastor Gio and Dr. Peckham!

[joeldonahoe]

Thank you so much for pursuing your desire to vindicate the character of Father God and His Holy Son! I’m so glad Father god and Jesus proved to the angelic and human world that God never fights evil with evil —but he conquers evil with extreme goodness, love and mercy at Calvary!!!!

[magnificentyou]

Excellent discourse! So many preachers take a minimalist and shallow approach to the hardest questions that so many people have and often never utter because they may sound heretical. They are not. The "Who's Who" in the Bible struggled, often indignantly, with deep questions and doubt. It's fabulous to plow head on INTO hard questions, matching your questions with your quest. I applaud you. The church needs this.

[ponderingfox]

I have a preorder in for the new book on prayer.

[vincentmcclean]

If God would intervene to stop a tornado or prevent a plane crash by whatever means He chooses it would be inconsistent with the statement that Christ made concerning "time and chance", which He says happens to all men. It is possible that God would be bound by precedent to intervene in ALL such incident/accidents in order to be a God of equity. The only exceptions would be when someone who is a part of God's household (a son of God) is the recipient of that mercy or those accompanying that person. I can think of Paul when He was shipwrecked.

[moki]

How do you square God "hardening the heart" of Pharaoh? Or blinding the Israelites to come to an awareness. I'm not a Bible Scholar so can't quote the verse….but hopefully you will know to which I refer?

[cklester]

Dr. Peckham, is God really all that great or loving if his plan calls for the sacrifice of billions upon billions of human beings to save a fraction of them? That is, essentially, what most of Christendom believes today... narrow is the way and few find it. Let's say 100 billion human beings have existed from Eden to now. How many of them are saved? 20 billion? 10 billion? Up to 50 billion? If so, Satan can reasonably boast, "Most of them chose me." Death wins. The sting of the grave is triumphant, so the cry, "O, Death! Where is they sting?" is somewhat weak. If anything, it is a Pyrrhic victory... wouldn't you agree?