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    Death Before the Fall: Biblical Literalism and the Problem of Animal Suffering
    Unavailable
    Death Before the Fall: Biblical Literalism and the Problem of Animal Suffering
    Unavailable
    Death Before the Fall: Biblical Literalism and the Problem of Animal Suffering
    Ebook274 pages4 hours

    Death Before the Fall: Biblical Literalism and the Problem of Animal Suffering

    By Ronald E. Osborn and John H. Walton

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award

    Did animals have predatory natures before the fall? Did God punish innocent animals with a curse because of human sin? Is it possible for theistic evolution to be compatible with the Bible, even though animal death before the fall would contradict the teaching that death began after the first sin?

    In this eloquent and provocative "open letter" to evangelicals, Ronald Osborn wrestles with these pointed questions and with the problem of biblical literalism and animal suffering within an evolutionary understanding of the world.

    Considering the topic of animal suffering and predation as a theodicy dilemma, Osborn offers an open-minded exploration of the subject, specifically coming against the fundamentalist and literalist view of the book of Genesis and the creation account. He challenges one-dimensional reading of Scripture and shines a sobering light on the evangelical dogma responsible for advancing viewpoints long ago dismantled by science.

    Always acknowledging the traditionalist viewpoint, Osborn demonstrates with a wealth of exegetical and theological insight how orthodox Christianity can embrace evolutionary concepts without contradiction. Osborn forces us to ask hard questions, not only of the Bible and church tradition, but also and especially of ourselves.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherIVP Academic
    Release dateFeb 6, 2014
    ISBN9780830895373
    Unavailable
    Death Before the Fall: Biblical Literalism and the Problem of Animal Suffering
    Author

    Ronald E. Osborn

    Ronald E. Osborn (PhD, University of Southern California) is an Andrew W. Mellon teaching fellow in the Peace and Justice Studies program at Wellesley College. He is the author of Anarchy and Apocalypse: Essays on Faith, Violence, and Theodicy.

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    Reviews for Death Before the Fall

    4/5

    12 ratings3 reviews

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    • 2/5
      Beautifully written but woefully misdirected. Promise unfulfilled.
    • 5/5
      Excellent exposition of the problems of theodicy and animal suffering. Osborn's main theme is that "scientific" Creationism, with it's focus on a completely literal reading of Genesis, does not, in fact, answer the deep questions around animal suffering that is inherent in our current animal world. Although less literal readings, that allow more space for a longer history for life on earth and which accommodate some aspects of macroevolution (a la theistic evolution) do not completely relieve the tension of animal suffering, Osborn believes non-literal approaches at least make it easier to approach the issues.

      Osborn also does a good job of showing that the Sabbath is by no means dependent on a literal, 7-day (24 hour days) creation week. The story, as told, is important as a reaching device, as I have always maintained myself, but even if it is not literal, it does not detract from the theological truths and richness of the Sabbath.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant! Fundamentalist and literalistic readings of the biblical text are one of the banes of the Evangelical wing of Christianity. It has the loudest voice in Christendom, especially in the US, and many of those in this group believe their “truth” should be imposed on other Christians and, frequently, on others in secular and diversely religious or non-religious communities. The first half of the book alone is worth its price. Even non-believers in religion would benefit from reading the first half of the book, many of whom are just literalistic in their reading of ancient texts as the Christian fundamentalists. Highly recommended.