The Third Peacock: The Problem of God and Evil

by Robert Farrar Capon

Discusses the problem of God, good and evil from a Roman Catholic perspective

Genres: Theology, Faith, Religion

82 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1986

About the author

Robert Farrar Capon was a lifelong New Yorker and served for almost 30 years as a parish priest in the Episcopal Church. His first book, Bed and Board, was published in 1965 and by 1977 left full-time ministry to devote more time to writing books, though he continued to serve the church in various capacities such as assisting priest and Canon Theologian. He has written twenty books on theology, cooking and family life.

His lifelong interest in food intersected with his writing and led to his becoming food columnist for Newsday and The New York Times and also teaching cooking classes.

Reviews

[Ann Hein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Capon write well with a sense of humor. I could understand and agree with some of what he said, but my covid brain couldn't wrap itself around it all. Covid brain doesn't want to think deeply. But even before Covid-19 I have not spent a lot of time trying to explain God. God is God and I'm not.

[Beth Easter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely perfect. Also settles the sloppy wet/unforeseen kiss matter conclusively. No one has instructed me more on tending the signs and adoring the mystery than Capon! Very grateful.

"God goes bravely through the entire history of salvation caring not a fig, apparently, for what anyone thinks of him."

"It is, I grant you, such an incredible piece of business that no one can be faulted for not believing it. There is no proof, only odd signs that are even more obscure than Jesus himself: a little water, a little bread, a little wine."

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always interested in explorations on theodicy (the problem of evil in the face of a good God). Robert Farrar Capon writes in a down to earth way and isn't afraid to say what we all think from time to time about the rough and tumble world we live in.

Take stock of what we have come up with so far: Evil is assignable to freedom; freedom has to be blamed on God. Now if we are facing facts, that means that God has dangerously odd tastes: He is inordinately fond of risk and roughhouse.

There are some pithy observations and interesting ideas throughout the work. Most notably about the author's ideas on creation and God's both active yet hands off approach to things.

His approach gives the reader some things to think about even if some of the approaches to God and the problem are not accepted.

therefore, the question is not whether all this can be justified. I suppose it can’t be. What I want to get at is the more modest question of whether God has in fact (that is, in his revelation) addressed himself to the problem at all.

The approach and the conclusion, as the author admits, are not meant to satisfy a rational philosophical debate as much as think through how God has said He would deal with the problem in light of how He has created things.

The book can be hard to find but is available to read for free on the Internet Archive

[Roy Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why read a book that was first published over 40 years ago? Simply because it remains one of the finest theological treatments of God and evil. It’s a classic that deserves fresh reading (and rewards re-reading). The late Robert Farrar Capon is known for his trilogy on the parables. No one proclaims the radical nature of grace with more theological clarity, exegetical depth and humor than Capon. Once you read Capon reveal how astonishing grace is, it’s nearly impossible to not notice it spilling all over the place. In this early book, he takes on the problem of God and evil with his usual wit and refreshing style of writing. This is not your typical theodicy. Capon is honest about his intent: “This book simply tries to remove the theological blinders that keep us from seeing – in both our own case and God’s – the way things really are.” Here is a theology of creation grounded in God’s delight that allows for the “way things are” rather than one that finds clever excuses for God in the face of all that is awry. There is honor for divine mystery here. Most remarkably, this brief book includes a breathtaking exploration of the vocation of the church and the role of the Eucharist in public witness. Capon, who also wrote cookbooks, delightfully includes comments about food and has an array of images that make such a difficult subject very accessible.

[Josh Cranston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot speak highly enough of this author. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything of his that I've read. This short book is a brilliant and very helpful take on a classic problem. I want to read this again.

[Joel Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining.

[Valerie R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of theorizing and metaphors, not much else.

[Brent Townley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books on the problem of evil. Somehow by the end of the book evil takes a back seat and that's perfectly alright. Short read too!

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really wonderful insight on theology in a *fairly* easy way to understand.

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another helping of soul food, but this time there are some slugs you gotta pick around.

[Mike]

I last read this book back in 2009...not sure when I read it before that. This third reading proves it's still as good as ever. Capon's wit, imagination, undercutting of precious 'theologies' and the like are essential to any Christian trying to make sense of the more difficult things in their belief. Not that Capon has any easy answers. In fact in this book he provides no 'real' answers at all, but suggests a great deal and opens up doors that we may not have had a key to.
The focus is on theodicy, or the problem of evil and how that fits into the view of a loving God. Some may be offended by Capon's view of God in this book, but he says nothing that can't be said, or shouldn't be said. He remains realistic while opening up our theological brains.
Incidentally, I'd forgotten how short the book is: around 70 plus pages in my edition, where it's the centre book of three under the title, The Romance of the Word. I also re-read the (quite long) introduction to the three books, which adds some background to Capon's writing experiences. This is almost a little book in itself...

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an ambitious little book that seeks to explain the significant problem of evil. Capon writes with a distinctive conversational style that I enjoyed though some might find it irritating. This is not some philosophical theodicy but a story. The Bible is a story and Capon presents his book in much the same way. Perhaps the story resonates, perhaps it doesn't. However, the Bible must be read as what it is, a story that presents its truth in a different manner than one would read a philosophical treatise.

[Maelerz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Easy to read, creative portrayal of the mythic, Biblical creation story. Capon is blunt and hits the nail on the head in many profound and humorous ways.

[Timothy Hoiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You can work a lifetime trying to make the Trinity intelligible and get nowhere; you can spend five minutes on it, and begin to see its colors light the world."

[Johns · Rating 2 out of 5]

Witty writer for sure . . .