The World, the Flesh and the Devil: What Do We Do With Evil?

by Richard Rohr

This small, masterly-crafted volume is a wake-up call! Richard Rohr writes, evil is subtle and the evils that are killing us all are usually well-disguised . Addressing the three traditional sources of evil, Rohr describes how Christianity has focused almost exclusively on the individual, flesh level, while the world and the devil basically got off scot-free for most of Christian history . Just how vital it is that we look beyond personal moral failings is revealed though Rohr s gripping interpretation of the teachings of Jesus and Paul. This book offers no easy solutions. We are all complicit in the social evils pervading our lives. Yet, skilfully distilling half a century of teaching and preaching, Rohr leaves us with principles for resisting evil with contemplation and love.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity

144 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2021

About the author

Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.

Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).

Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who have come to reject simplistic views of “ sin” and a literal devil and yet acknowledge the undeniable truth of evil, this compact book offers wisdom and a way forward. I read this book as a kind of devotional, taking time to absorb its ideas. A theme I am now mulling over is the idea that evil is something we all are complicit in, rather than an outside force that I am separate from. As Rohr teaches in his other books, another theme is that mature spirituality involves acknowledging our own darkness and the shadow side of everything, and being willing to accept and include that in our understanding of reality. Ultimately, a forgiving love, modeled by God, and a willingness to hold the tension of the contradictions of reality are what allow us to grow in our faith.

A book like this can never be completely satisfying because we have an innate desire ( I believe) for certainty and easy answers which this book says are not possible. But for those who have experienced the limitations of black and white Christianity, reading this will challenge you and possibly confirm truths you already sensed but could not articulate.

[John Hergert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a needed companion to Rohr’s The Universal Christ. While the Universal Christ focuses on the large and essential story of God’s unfailing Grace found in Christ it doesn’t really address the problem of evil, Rohr even admits close to the end of the first book that he needs to speak about what evil is in response to what he has powerfully written. In this short and readable book Rohr captures the divine mystery of evil and mainly Paul’s use of the mythological framework of his day to explain the true corporate nature of sin and evil. Yes, it’s has an individual aspect to it, but Rohr finds that too small and simplistic. His use of Jung and archetypes is particularly effective. He puts forth the importance of keeping things in tension, not opting for one or the other, but finding God’s way of transformation. A transformation that is never perfect, but a continuing unfolding of forgiving love even when surrounded by evil. Thanks to Father Richard for his insights.

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fr. Richard Rohr discusses the three types of evil and that for centuries the church have been focusing too much on the sins of the flesh, individual sin, and has let corporate sin off the hook. He states that sometimes corporate sin is disguised as something good, like governmental rules or regulations, but will have a negative impact on some, especially those on the margins. Everyone complicit to corporate sin but feel helpless to do anything about it. His suggestion is look at the small things one could do in reaction to it and to become part of the community that is willing to push back on those sins. He suggests contemplative prayer, forgiveness, and love to help confront the evils among us. A short readable book that resonates in today's political and religious climate in America.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is profound in the way it deals with the way the church has and does deal with the words sin, flesh, world, and devil. Redefining these words into a broader universal way and creating a new way of looking at and understanding them in a much healthier way than has been taught. Expanding our understanding of the human condition and the blueprint of life. It's a must read for anyone wanting to challenge their understanding of their own faith as well as anyone who is looking to grow and expand to love like Jesus.

[Catrina Berka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rohr reveals the deficiency in our modern way of thinking of sin as primarily a personal issue, encouraging readers to see the systemic and organizational nature of it as well. To address it, he points to a framework he has explained and elaborated upon elsewhere: order, disorder, reorder. Although he writes for laypeople, Rohr's theological depth can be off-putting for mere mortals. While short, this book was written beyond my depth.

[Teresa Lynn Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Rohr is the poster child for a contemplative practice. His insights and communication skills with difficult theological issues are superb. They topics of the devil, sin, punishment etc. have been the subject of faulty logic and scriptural analysis. Richard Rohr did not take the bait. Clear and well-reasoned, I found the treatment of these subjects very helpful.

[Andi Ferrenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed a little more tough love editing. Still worth it to read with pearls of wisdom that show up in some of Rohr’s other writing. Some mic drops too. A fast read, small book, with lots to think about.

[James Salimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.