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Journey Back to God
Mark S. M. Scott
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Description for Journey Back to God
hardcover. Journey Back to God explores Origen of Alexandria's creative, complex, and controversial treatment of the problem of evil. It argues that his layered cosmology functions as a theodicy that explains unjust suffering and shows how that theodicy hinges on the journey of the soul back to God. Series: AAR Academy Series. Num Pages: 256 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: HRAB; HRCC1; HRCM. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 241 x 161 x 22. Weight in Grams: 468. Good clean copy with minor shelfwear. DJ has some minor nicks and tears, remains very good
Journey Back to God explores Origen of Alexandria's creative, complex, and controversial treatment of the problem of evil. It argues that his layered cosmology functions as a theodicy that discerns deeper meaning beneath the apparent injustices of the world. Origen asks: why does God permit cosmic disparity - that is, why do some suffer more than others? On the surface, the unfair arrangement of the world defies theological coherence. In order to defend God against the charge of injustice Origen develops a theological cosmology that explains the ontological status and origin of evil as well as its cosmic implications. It interprets suffering as a stepping stone to the soul's ascent to God. Essentially, Origen's theodicy hinges on the journey of the soul back to God. Its themes correlate with the soul's creation, fall and descent into materiality, gradual purification, and eventual divinization; the world is a schoolroom or hospital for the soul where it undergoes the necessary education and purgation. Origen carefully calibrates his cosmology and theology, and portrays God as a compassionate and judicious teacher, physician, and father who employs suffering for our amelioration. Journey Back to God frames the systematic study of Origen's theodicy within a broader theory of theodicy as navigation; that is, as the dynamic process whereby we integrate our observations and experiences of suffering within our religious worldviews. Moreover, it unites the logical and spiritual facets of his theodicy, and situatesit in its third-century historical, theological, and philosophical context, correcting the imbalanced perspectives on Origen that pervade scholarship. Furthermore, the study clarifies his ambiguous position on universalism and its place in his theodicy. It demonstrates the contemporary relevance of Origen's approach, which confronts the perennial questions of theodicy with a bold, constructive, and optimistic vision.
Product Details
Format
Hardback
Publication date
2012
Publisher
OUP USA
Condition
Used, Very Good
Series
AAR Academy Series
Number of Pages
256
Place of Publication
New York, United States
ISBN
9780199841141
SKU
KTS0037573
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 2 to 4 working days
Ref
99-1
About Mark S. M. Scott
Mark S. M. Scott is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Thorneloe University.
Reviews for Journey Back to God
Scott's book on Origenian theodicy constitutes an important instrument for the study of this fascinating area and the religious phenomenon more broadly, for which the author should be wholeheartedly congratulated
Doru Costache, St Cyril's Coptic Orthodox Theological College, The Journal of Religious History
Doru Costache, St Cyril's Coptic Orthodox Theological College, The Journal of Religious History