quote from Eerdman's sales site...

=========BOOK=======================

http://www.eerdmans.com/shop/product.asp?p_key=0802829767

The Doors of the Sea: Where Was God in the Tsunami?

by David Bentley Hart

As news reports of the horrific tsunami in Asia reached the rest of the
world, commentators were quick to seize upon the disaster as proof of either God’s power or God’s nonexistence. Expanding on his Wall Street Journal piece, “Tremors of Doubt,” published the last day of 2004, David Bentley Hart here returns to this pressing question: How can the existence of a good and loving God be reconciled with such suffering? Hart clarifies the biblical account of God’s goodness, the nature of evil, and the shape of redemption, incisively revealing where both Christianity’s champions and its critics misrepresent what is most essential to Christian belief.

Though he responds to those skeptical of Christian faith, Hart is at his most perceptive and provocative as he examines Christian attempts to rationalize the tsunami disaster. Many people want a divine plan that will make sense of evil. Hart contends, however, that the history of suffering and death is not willed by God. Rather than appealing to a divine calculus that can account for every instance of suffering, Christians must recognize the ongoing struggle between the rebellious powers that enslave the world and the God who loves it.

This meditation by a brilliant young theologian will deeply challenge serious readers grappling with God’s ways in a suffering world.

Post Edited (PotOnWheel) : 3/31/2006 9:40:06 AM (GMT-6)

02/18/2006

God: Loving Father or Absentee Landlord? David Bentley Hart As a result of the various natural disasters especially last years tsunami in Indonesia, David Bentley Hart, prolific writer was asked to author a book on the Tsunami. What resulted was the Christian perspective on the overall existence of God in these difficult times. Be sure to join Fr. Chris and Emmy as they speak with him about this incredibly important subject that has caused heated discussions among many Christian denominations.

 

02/18/2006 God: Loving Father or Absentee Landlord?
David Bentley Hart
As a result of the various natural disasters especially last years tsunami in Indonesia, David Bentley Hart, prolific writer was asked to author a book on the Tsunami. What resulted was the Christian perspective on the overall existence of God in these difficult times. Be sure to join Fr. Chris and Emmy as they speak with him about this incredibly important subject that has caused heated discussions among many Christian denominations.

But , no, I did not learn those new words. Nor did I have to to understand his thoughts, points, or even the details of what he was saying. (They are his own entertainment, and those of wordsmyths who read him.) The BIGGEST endorsement I can say is that I've been too intimitated by his 400-pager on aesthetics and beauty to get it, but NOW after these 108 pages I'm confident that the other book is worth my attempt. I'm quite optomistic.

BUT ENJOY MET. JOHN ZIZIOULAS!  Standard adivice is to read the first chapter twice before going on.

And note that dispite what books his writing has been included as a chapter or two Met. Zizioulas IS NOT a "social trinitiarian." I saw that charge from some reactionary Orthodox, and so I read back through all the applicable parts of "Being as Communion."