Theodicy: God and Human Suffering in Historical Perspectives

3 credits · Divinity School

The story of Christianity has the notion of God who suffers with and in our place at its crux. This course surveys the variegated histories of Christian attitudes toward and responses to evil and suffering: both individually, ecclesially, both in its theology and praxis. Readings will range from Dorothy Day to Irenaeus of Lyons, from Toni Morrison to Shusaku Endo, from Karl Barth to Hannah Arendt. Particular attention will be given to the contemporary issue of human trafficking and global economic disparity and its global impact. [3]