PhD: Twitter quote 96
2010 Theodicy and Practical Theology: PhD thesis, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter
I must be clear: theodicy is not the remedy to the problem of evil, but a speculative, and in my case, Biblically based attempt to explain how God deals with evil in his creation. Lindsley (2003: 3). In similar fashion, practical and empirical theology do not offer solutions to the problem of evil, but are theological disciplines Winquest (1987: 1) Francis (2005: 1), which assist persons to understand how evil is comprehended and dealt with in the Christian community and in society at large.
Twitter version I
Theodicy is not the remedy to problems of evil, but is a speculative, in my case, biblical attempt at explaining how God deals with evils in his creation.
Twitter version II
Practical and empirical theologies do not solve problems of evil, but can assist with comprehension and comfort.
July 29, 2021
The applied atoning and resurrection, gospel work of God the Son, Jesus Christ to those in him (Romans 9, 1 Corinthians 15, Ephesians 1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4-5, 2 Thessalonians 2, as examples), is ultimately culminated post-mortem. It is simultaneously applied in the restoration of the universe as in time, space and matter (alluded to in 2 Peter 3, Revelation 20-22 as examples). This is the ultimate remedy to problems of evil. Problems of evil within the universe and earth will be remedied and will cease within the culminated Kingdom of God.
The unregenerate ultimately post-mortem, will reside in the lake of fire (hell 2) as death, and hades (hell 1) are thrown into the lake of fire (hell 2)(Revelation 20: 14). I acknowledge the use of figurative language here, but reason there is a figurative, literal aspect to what is being described in this apocalyptic (revealed, revelation) literature, which is eschatological, last things, literature.
As I dealt with in my PhD thesis, the lake of fire was/is not an everlastingly intended existence for humanity to flourish in, it is the second death, everlasting death. It is not restored. A divine legacy of those that reject God and the gospel, perhaps? (Still within my Reformed, compatibilistic model)
BRUCE, F.F. (1986) ‘Revelation’, in F.F. Bruce (gen.ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/ Zondervan.
FRANCIS, LESLIE J. and Practical Theology Team (2005) ‘Practical and Empirical Theology’, University of Wales, Bangor website, University of Wales, Bangor.
LINDSLEY, ART (2003) ‘The Problem of Evil’, Knowing & Doing, Winter, Springfield, Virginia, C.S. Lewis Institute.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
WINQUIST, CHARLES E. (1987) ‘Re-visioning Ministry: Postmodern Reflections’, in Lewis S Mudge and James N. Poling, Formation and Reflection: The Promise of Practical Theology by Lewis S Mudge and James N. Poling, Philadelphia, Fortress Press.
