Overview

The global reality of suffering and death has always demanded an authentic theological response and impelled debate concerning Gods relationship to suffering, as well as the conceivability of the suffering of God. The scope and impact of this suffering in the last century have driven this debate to an acute pitch, demanding to know how one can speak rightly of God in view of the suffering that is inherent and inflicted in the cosmos. While in former ages, some looked to an omnipotent and impassible deus ex machina in answer to this question, many contemporary theologians have revised their understanding of God in relation to the world. With these theologians, Gloria Schaab proposes that a viable response to cosmic suffering is the recognition that the triune Christian God participates in the very sufferings of the cosmos itself. She sets her argument within theology and science dialogue and specifically within the work of scientist-theologian Arthur Peacocke. Informed by the understandings of evolutionary science, grounded within a panentheistic paradigm of the God-world relationship, and rooted within the Christian theological tradition, this work contends that the understanding of the Triune God as intimately involved with the suffering of the cosmos is viable and efficacious in view of the suffering of the cosmos and its creatures. It develops a female procreative model of the creative suffering of the Triune God, an ecological ethics based on the midwife model of care, and a pastoral model of threefold differentiation of suffering in God as steps toward Christian praxis in response to the mystery of God within the pain, suffering, and death of cosmic existence and human experience.

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9780195329124

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An insightful, comprehensive examination of the Triune God, directly relevant to feminists and other activists who may seek to reconcile our religious resonances with the awareness that we live in a staggeringly unjust world. --The Feminist Review This is theology done at a very profound level. At one and the same time, it is a much-needed interpretation of Arthur Peacocke's theology, a fundamental treatise on how evolution plays out in theology, a striking presentation of the classic Trinitarian concept of God, and a sensitive outline of a practical theological approach to suffering. This is constructive theology at its best. --Philip Hefner, Editor-in-Chief, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science Wedding classical, ecological, and feminist theology into an original synthesis, this book opens up a new line of argument about God's relation to the world being vulnerable rather than controlling. One of its strengths is how carefully it hews to evolutionary theory while interpreting the midwifery character of divine activity. Insightful and clearly written, it will appeal to a broad swath of readers: those involved in the science-theology dialogue, those interested in feminist theology, and those for whom questions surrounding God and suffering are a paramount concern. --Elizabeth A. Johnson, author of She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse In this impressive work, Gloria Schaab not only offers a creative exposition of the evolutionary theology of Arthur Peacocke but also develops her own applications of that theology for feminist thought, ecological ethics, and pastoral ministry. Anyone interested in the dialogue between science and theology and concerned about the universality of suffering, pain, and death should read this book. --James A. Wiseman, author of Theology and Modern Science: Quest for Coherence Mining the considerable contributions to science and theology of Arthur Peacocke, especially his perspectives on panentheism, the triune nature of God, and the problem of suffering, Gloria Schaab presents an evolutionary theology with a fresh and creative voice. Her incorporation of feminist theological symbolism and her attention to ecological ethics and pastoral practice provide further reasons for recommending this book to a wide readership. --Anne M. Clifford, Associate Professor of Theology, Duquesne University This is theology done at a very profound level. At one and the same time, it is a much-needed interpretation of Arthur Peacocke's theology, a fundamental treatise on how evolution plays out in theology, a striking presentation of the classic Trinitarian concept of God, and a sensitive outline of a practical theological approach to suffering. This is constructive theology at its best. --Philip Hefner, Editor-in-Chief, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science Wedding classical, ecological, and feminist theology into an original synthesis, this book opens up a new line of argument about God's relation to the world being vulnerable rather than controlling. One of its strengths is how carefully it hews to evolutionary theory while interpreting the midwifery character of divine activity. Insightful and clearly written, it will appeal to a broad swath of readers: those involved in the science-theology dialogue, those interested in feminist theology, and those for whom questions surrounding God and suffering are a paramount concern. --Elizabeth A. Johnson, author of She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse In this impressive work, Gloria Schaab not only offers a creative exposition of the evolutionary theology of Arthur Peacocke but also develops her own applications of that theology for feminist thought, ecological ethics, and pastoral ministry. Anyone interested in the dialogue between science and theology and concerned about the universality of suffering, pain, and death should read this book. --James A. Wiseman, author of Theology and Modern Science: Quest for Coherence Mining the considerable contributions to science and theology of Arthur Peacocke, especially his perspectives on panentheism, the triune nature of God, and the problem of suffering, Gloria Schaab presents an evolutionary theology with a fresh and creative voice. Her incorporation of feminist theological symbolism and her attention to ecological ethics and pastoral practice provide further reasons for recommending this book to a wide readership. --Anne M. Clifford, Associate Professor of Theology, Duquesne University

Schaab tackles a vast topic and an important writer in one relatively short but very deep work, and anyone interested in Peacocke or the contemporary debate about theology, science and particularly evolution will be enriched by her study...This is an important study of an important theologian drawn together around an important theme. John Puddefoot Theology

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Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and Associate Dean for General Education, College of Arts and Sciences, Barry University

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