Creation Untamed: The Bible, God, and Natural Disasters

Theological Explorations for the Church Catholic

by Terence E. Fretheim

Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and hurricanes have plagued the history of the earth. What is God's role in natural disasters and the human suffering they cause? This is one of the most vexing questions in Christian life and theology. Terence Fretheim offers fresh readings of familiar Old Testament passages--such as creation, the flood, and the suffering of Job--to give readers biblical resources for working through this topic. He shows the God of the Bible to be a compassionate, suffering, relational God, one we can turn to in prayer in times of disaster.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Religion

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Terrance Lively · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that looks into the nature of disasters in the world in relation to God. It makes some great arguments on theodicy with many biblical references and citations. While I disagree, or at least am unsure if a couple of points, the general argument is well thought out and defended. His insights into prayer are very nice as well. Worth the read for a fresh perspective that challenges fatalism.

[Steve Irby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished "Creation Untamed: The Bible, God, and Natural Disasters," by Terence E. (I before E except after C) Fretheim.

As can be seen in the name this is a work that deals with natural evil and a good God: so Theodicy. Did God send Katrina to NOLA as per some fundy preachers? Did He create the world perfect and human sin is causal for God sending the destruction? Many questions and few Old Testament scholars better equipped to cover it.

Fretheims first chapter insists that God made the world good, not perfect. I believe this is critical for a Godly view of creation. A perfect creation would not have fell and it would have had painless childbirth. But this world was called good by God and [hi-lighter in hand] that didn't change with human sin. Further, God is a power sharing God. I creation He shares this power and responsibility with the Divine Counsel and also with humanity. And Fretheim sees the Imago Dei we all have a us emulating this: being open to allowing others the freedom to co-create with us. Here the thrust is that God is the creator originator and man has a role. The process is not neat and orderly but messy. All agents have a role on creation.

One high spot in the second chapter deals with sin as talked about in relation to the flood and more generally to the Old and New Testaments. Sin comes with its own built in punishment. Fretheim following von Rad even goes so far as to say our English "punish" should not be used in the Old iTestament. Also Fretheim notices that the text doesn't say God sent the flood waters upon the earth. He also points out and amplifies that God repents and changes the Divine mind some 40 times in the Old Testament. Following this he points out that scripture sees God, not man, as He who changed over the course of the flood narrative.

The third chapter deals with natural evil in Job. Yeah, I'm truncating this.

The remainder of the book dives into the important pastoral implications of how to deal wit natural evil (and just evil in general) to those who are suffering. He follows this up with a very important part about God as relational. The last quarter is heavily open theism and he blends the pastoral and the open theism together well.

If this is something you are dealing with or that has been on your mind there is no one better than Fretheim to cover it.

#TerenceEFretheim #TerenceFretheim #Fretheim #CreationUntamed #OldTestamentScholarship #OpenTheism

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this book a 5-rating, not because I agree with all the conclusions that the Author makes - rather because he has made me really think about many issues concerning God and His Creation (both us and our environment/planet). I also appreciated the compassion and the pastoral approach of the Author when dealing with such things as Natural Disasters and Suffering. Whilst I don't agree (or at least don't fully agree) with all his conclusions, the Author very correctly points out many mistakes we as Christians make when dealing with the issue of "an All Powerful God" vs "Natural Evil".

I especially appreciated the final chapter on Prayer - very encouraged and challenged by this chapter :)

So rarely does a book cause you to question some of your views whilst encouraging you to better understand God and your Neighbours.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to be present when Dr. Fretheim delivered 3 of the lectures contained in this book. He gives an honest intellectual view of the nature of creation as God ordered it: good, but not perfect. There is room in God's created order for "chance", for creation to be creative and to take on a life of its own. This Other view of our world is extremely helpful in understanding the "creative" role nature exercises in sometimes disastrous ways. This is a great resource for pastors and Bible study groups.

[Радостин Марчев · Rating 3 out of 5]

Завършвам книгата със смесени чувства. Има някои интересни идеи (особено в гл. 1-2), много повторения и (според мен) съмнителна на доста места егзегетика и изводи.

[ferguson (winston’s version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It definitely introduced a new version of god I’ve never seen

[Karla Renee Goforth Abreu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is worth four stars because the author writes concisely and in plain language about the topic. I do not necessarily agree with every point made but over all, the book is helpful to the theological debate on God as Creator, suffering, disasters and as an all powerful God.

[Jdshankles · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gets a little repetitive in the first three chapters, but overall is classic Fretheim with regards to the relationality of God.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best written books on 'natural evil' I've ever read.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, thought provoking, but very repetitive!