Journal Entry 1 by seethroughfaith from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Monday, May 19, 2008

from the back cover

The horrors of the 20th century demonstrate the failure of secular and religious ideologies to answer the important questions of life. Is this God’s doing or is he absent, indifferent, or nonexistent? Does our experience of history leave us in an intellectually and morally vacant universe? What, in the face of human tragedy, are sensible answers about life, death, and the existence and character of God? Are we merely playing chess with the Grim Reaper, only to gain time?

The manner in which religious and biblical texts are applied often leaves us with the image of an unjust and irrational God, leading to ideas of alienation and estrangement. The world is manifestly unjust, the human condition essentially tragic. Many believe they can endure this only by abandoning reason and religion, a choice between arrogance and resignation.

Yet the deepest concerns of humanity persist.

Instead of blaming God, or his absence, The innocence of God presents a startling catalyst for thoughtful dialogue. The God of Judaism and Christianity is not accused of immoral sovereignity or of divine weakness. He works and invites us to work against the flow of history with moral clarity and passino to repair in time a damaged world, a world He deeply loves.

Got this to review for Front Street Reviews http://www.frontstreetreviews.com/ and will link to the review when it's done.


 

Journal Entry 2 by seethroughfaith from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Sunday, May 25, 2008

This was a really hard (i.e. academic) read. I have sent off a review and when it's published then I will put a link to it. For now this book goes to my AVL pile but will probably be donated to the seminary library.