Death Before the Fall Biblical Literalism and the Problem of Animal Suffering (Paperback)

Ronald E. Osborn

ISBN 10: 083084046X / ISBN 13: 9780830840465

Published by InterVarsity Press, Illinois, 2014

About this Item

Paperback. ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover AwardDid animals have predatory natures before the fall? Did God punish innocent animals with a curse because of human sin? Is it possible for theistic evolution to be compatible with the Bible, even though animal death before the fall would contradict the teaching that death began after the first sin?In this eloquent and provocative "open letter" to evangelicals, Ronald Osborn wrestles with these pointed questions and with the problem of biblical literalism and animal suffering within an evolutionary understanding of the world.Considering the topic of animal suffering and predation as a theodicy dilemma, Osborn offers an open-minded exploration of the subject, specifically coming against the fundamentalist and literalist view of the book of Genesis and the creation account. He challenges one-dimensional reading of Scripture and shines a sobering light on the evangelical dogma responsible for advancing viewpoints long ago dismantled by science.Always acknowledging the traditionalist viewpoint, Osborn demonstrates with a wealth of exegetical and theological insight how orthodox Christianity can embrace evolutionary concepts without contradiction. Osborn forces us to ask hard questions, not only of the Bible and church tradition, but also and especially of ourselves. In this eloquent and provocative "open letter" to evangelicals, Ronald Osborn wrestles with the problem of biblical literalism and the ongoing challenge of animal suffering within an evolutionary understanding of the world. Osborn forces us to ask hard questions, not only of the Bible and church tradition, but also and especially of ourselves. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780830840465

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Death Before the Fall Biblical Literalism and the Problem of Animal Suffering (Paperback)
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press, Illinois
• Publication Date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 083084046X
• ISBN 13: 9780830840465
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

<p><strong>ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award</strong></p><p>Did animals have predatory natures before the fall? Did God punish innocent animals with a curse because of human sin? Is it possible for theistic evolution to be compatible with the Bible, even though animal death before the fall would contradict the teaching that death began after the first sin?</p><p>In this eloquent and provocative "open letter" to evangelicals, Ronald Osborn wrestles with these pointed questions and with the problem of biblical literalism and animal suffering within an evolutionary understanding of the world.</p><p>Considering the topic of animal suffering and predation as a theodicy dilemma, Osborn offers an open-minded exploration of the subject, specificallycoming against the fundamentalist and literalist view of the book of Genesis and the creation account. He challenges one-dimensional reading of Scripture and shines a sobering light on the evangelical dogma responsible for advancing viewpoints long ago dismantled by science.</p> <p>Always acknowledging the traditionalist viewpoint, Osborn demonstrates with a wealth of exegetical and theological insight how orthodox Christianity can embrace evolutionary concepts without contradiction. Osborn forces us to ask hard questions, not only of the Bible and church tradition, but also and especially of ourselves.</p>

About the Author

Ronald E. Osborn (PhD, University of Southern California) is a wandering philosopher.  He was a Mellon postdoctoral fellow in the Peace and Justice Studies program at Wellesley College and a Fulbright Scholar to Burma.