Present Evil, Active God

by Jered Gritters, Axel Bosley (Narrator)

Can we truly believe God is active and good amidst such rampant evil? Are there satisfying answers as to why our creator has allowed so much evil to flourish?

We tend to believe either God must not be loving or must not be actively involved. Yet throughout history, believers and nonbelievers alike have pressed forward to respond to this great challenge at the core of all life. From Lenin, to Mao and Hitler, to Tolstoy, Gandhi, and MLK Jr., adjunct professor of biblical studies Jered Gritters details how some of the worst evil has not prevented the greatest solution the world has ever seen from having its impact.

Applying the Sermon on the Mount, an all-important “relational approach” demonstrates how anyone can help to solve the problem of evil in any time or place. With empirical evidence backed up by history and a biblical foundation, the existence of evil is shown not to be the unsolvable conundrum many tend to think it is. Solidly researched and carefully translated, Gritters collects the historical theology and philosophy to demonstrate how God is actively pursuing a solution to evil and inviting us to participate with him in it.

Exploring why God allowed evil in the first place, Present Evil, Active God brings fuller context and needed synthesis to what God has always been doing—deeply engaging in bringing about his intended solution to our inescapable struggle with evil. In the end, those with eyes to see will recognize with new clarity the masterful plan designed to satisfy our existential crisis once and for all.

Genres: Christian

Audiobook

Published April 5, 2022

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book.

I found the theology and history detailed in this book was outstanding.

Gritters does an amazing job at detailing major human rights atrocities from the past. From Mao Zedong, to Hitler, Stalin, etc, and offsets it with some major key human rights moments such as Gandhi, Leo Tolstoy, and other prominent figures.

I have honestly, not read about certain atrocities until this book. I found it extremely eye opening.

Gritters really brings a lot of tangeable and bite-sized descriptions of history, and I learned so much.

For someone who doesn't love history too much, I found this a fascinating read - very accessible.

Now, on the side of the active God - Jered tackles the theology of God's will in an excellent way.

I felt that I really got a lot out of this book.

I would highly recommend reading this book - especially if you are finding trouble in some of the news around the world lately.

4.4/5

[Flora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel totally inadequate in reviewing this book as some of the discussions are quite above me. So here are just some points that occurred to me as I listened to this audiobook. There are some concepts that are not familiar to me such as Jesus' 3rd wave. Big portions cover in some detail the evils done by infamous historical world figures that are simply horrifying. Some parts that could have been incorporated in the main book are inserted as appendices.

The narrator did a professional job and has a voice that is pleasant to listen to and totally suitable for the topic covered.

[Larry White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theodicy: The Oldest Dilemma

Reflecting on only a few of the many tragedies, injustices, and corruptions that increasingly surround us, a neighbor asked rhetorically, “Why does God allow this?” It’s the age-old problem of theodicy that forever has perplexed believers: How can an omnipotent, omnipresent, omnibenevolent, omniscient God allow evil? Every one of us will encounter this dilemma during our lifetimes, often repeatedly.

Jered Gritters’ recent book, “Present Evil, Active God”, examines the problem in a highly readable and interesting fashion. Walking the perpetual tightrope between philosophical and theological soundness and emotional satisfaction and comfort, Gritters offers background, explanations and possible solutions.

After stating the problem, he uses the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 and what was seen as gratuitous, meaningless evil as a catalyst for the beginning of modern debate. In some depth, Gritters explores the unprecedented evils of the 20th Century. Evil is both natural and human in origin, adding to the complexity of the problem and its solutions.

He offers three approaches to the issue: philosophical, theological and relational. It is the latter that Gritters sees as most important. Someone suffering in the throes of evil would agree in most cases, yet true and complete relief from personally experienced evil is not easily achieved. Gritters gives the reader much to consider, even if the solution is incomplete. I could offer answers to my neighbor’s rhetorical question with the ideas that Gritters presents, but I didn’t finish the book with a neat solution for the personally affected victim of evil in any of its forms. It’s still too complex at that level.

I recommend the book for its insights, but the problem of evil remains with us until, as Gritters acknowledges, God presents the final judgment. Until then, as Gritters also reminds, we must have faith and hope in His plan and purpose and in the lesson and example of Christ.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book on a difficult topic. The author offers faith-based and answers to some of life' toughest questions. Some of these questions I had never thought about, but others I had. I appreciate how the author offers viewpoints from numerous scholars and philosophers and even points out the pros and cons to these arguments. The content in this book is deep, but not so deep as to be confusing or hard to follow. This isn't a book to blast through in one sitting; it will be most impactful if you allow yourself time to absorb it. It has deepened my understanding of my faith even more and has really made me think. I highly recommend this book if you're interested in understanding more about how it's possible for God and evil to co-exist. You won't get rote, Sunday School answers, but instead you'll get deeply thought-out answers that very well may open your eyes even more to the goodness of God.

I'd like to thank Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Present Evil, Active God is an interesting and insightful book. However, I can’t say that I am notably more theologically educated as a result of reading it. There were snippets that I think made excellent points, but I think there was too much focus on complex theological terminology at the beginning, and too little emphasis on concluding the points made in a satisfactory way. I think I would have gained more from this book further down the line when my knowledge of theology is more advanced than it is now.

In my opinion, I would recommend the paperback version more than the audiobook, as I think this format would be better suited to the heavy and complex thought-processes we are asked to follow.

(Full review on thepatchworkfox.com)

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the Audiobook review. The narrator was spectacular. Gritters takes a relational approach to the theodicy question - why do bad things happen to good people? I applaud his research and historical tidbits; where I take off a few stars is the rapid downhill chopping of a great uphill start. His ability to mention several details and connections of people amidst systemic and even individual evil are spot-on and very informative. I would have appreciated more time to unpack the relationships and interweaving presence of God calling us to pushback against present evil.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

Present Evil, Active God tackles a very difficult topic that men have grappled with forever: how do we reconcile an all-powerful God with the profound and intense amount of evil we see in the world? With some very specific examples and clear and concise language, the author makes his case. I truly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone who is struggling with this question, or even just seeking for a deeper understanding of life.

[Jennifer Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book but no memorable takeaways that made me want to read more or dive deeper. Have read other material on this subject that impacted me more.

[Candi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book and well written. Believers and non-believers should read this book. Even if you do not believe, it opens up everyone's mind. It makes you think. There are explainations of past history that helps one to understand what they meant, what was really going on and what was stirring below the surface of these historical events. Also, when things go terribly wrong there is light to make us see and learn the truth of good versus evil. I recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.