Those daunted by the massive theology of the classic modern treatment of the problem of evil, John Hick's Evil and the God of Love, will find here a compelling alternative. With a wealth of vivid imagery, and illustrations from experience and literature, as well as theology and history, John Cowburn explores the problems caused by the existence of pain, suffering and evil and suggests how they may be understood and countered. Crucial to his argument is a distinction between evils which (...) are to be found in a growing and developing world where himan beings have been given freedom, the shadows, and the inexplicable existence of moral evil, the dark: 'The dark mystery of moral evil is in itself pure unintelligiblity, and does not surpass our minds but is opposed to reason as such, and God understands it even less than we do.'. (shrink)

Scientism' is indeed a word that we need. We need it because it describes a way of thinking that has profound and radical implications in almost every sphere of life. We need it because that way of thinking is becoming more and more dominant in Western culture... John Cowburn first introduces us to scientism as the belief "that only scientific knowledge is valid", "that science can explain and do everything and that nothing else can explain or do anything" and "that (...) science and reason, or scientific and rational, are co-extensive terms".. Whether considering science, philosophy, psychology, criminology or Christianity, he very helpfully focuses in on those key developments and shifts of thought that have been critical in building up the intellectual edifice of scientism. Cowburn's knowledge of the great Western thinkers of the past few centuries is most impressive and it has enabled him to even-handedly distil out the salient contributions each has made and then to bring these together into a coherent and compelling narrative. Indeed, his balanced, big-picture perspective is in itself enough to commend this book to anyone who wants to grow in their understanding of the macro-evolution of the subject. Cowburn's book gives us an excellent place to begin'. From the Introduction by Dr Tim Patrick. (shrink)

Rev. ed. of: Shadows and the dark: the problems of suffering and evil. 1979.