Good and Evil: Interpreting a Human Condition

by Edward Farley (Editor)

What does it mean to be human in a world filled with tragedy? With creativity and insight Edward Farley, one of today's most respected theologians, here addresses this universal and haunting question of evil. Farley anchors his discussion firmly in interhuman (I-thou) dynamics as a key to unfolding the personal and social spheres of human existence. It is, says Farley, the corruption of elemental passions and the resulting contagion of the personal and social spheres that provide a total view of human evil and its redemptive possibilities.

Genres: Theology

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1990

Reviews

[Adam Marquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book that Evangelicals will tend to be excited about. However, it is a formidable theological anthropology which impressively utilizes continental philosophy to run parallel with a viable read of a biblical explanation of the condition of humanity. It will disappoint Evangelicals as it is not a work of exegesis of the biblical text. Farley, however, really dots his philosophic I's and dots his philosophic T's while effectively causing the continental perspective to bow to the biblical message without making a histrionic display; he is subtle, but with force. Furthermore, his effort is not an attempt to revamp the biblical message, or to give a definitive telling, but to focus on an angle which is in the blue notes of the redemptive story, but which is all too often overlooked.

[Lainey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for a theology book club

Farley's piece is impressive continental philosophy and thorough systematic work. The biggest personal value I received was the insight into the tragic element of life. My biggest complaint, though, is the imprecision on from where the courage of "being founded" arises. There's an absence of God, imago dei, Scripture or other traditional notions of Christian anthropology in this book - too little for my evangelical liking.

[Nick Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb blend of philosophy (Part One) and theology (Part Two) which looks at the multi-dimensional aspects of human evil and what happens when the divine redeems and transforms corruption into freedom. The analysis of tragic existence, wherein human satisfaction and fulfillment intrinsically include limitation, frustration, and suffering, is brilliant and rock solid.