The Devil: A Very Short Introduction

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Reference, History, Christianity, Church, Church History
Cover of the book The Devil: A Very Short Introduction by Darren Oldridge, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Darren Oldridge ISBN: 9780191633539
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: May 31, 2012
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Darren Oldridge
ISBN: 9780191633539
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: May 31, 2012
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Why do the innocent suffer in a world created by a loving God? Does this mean that God cannot prevent this suffering, despite His supposed omnipotence? Or is God not loving after all? This in brief is 'the problem of evil'. The Devil provides one solution to this problem: his rebellion against God and hatred of His works is responsible for evil.The Christian Devil has fascinated writers and theologians since the time of the New Testament, and inspired many dramatic and haunting works of art. Today he remains a potent image in popular culture. The Devil: A Very Short Introduction presents an introduction to the Devil in the history of ideas and the lives of real people. Darren Oldridge shows us that he is a more important figure in western history than is often appreciated, and also a richly complex and contradictory one.Oldridge focuses on three main themes: the idea of the Devil being integral to western thought from the early Middle Ages to the beginnings of modernity; the principle of 'demonic inversion' (the idea that as the eternal leader of the opposition, the Devil represents the mirror image of goodness); and the multiplicity and instability of ideas about the Devil.While belief in the Devil has declined, the idea of an abstract force of evil is still remarkably strong. Oldridge concludes by exploring 'demonological' ways of thinking in our own time, including allegations of 'satanic ritual abuse' and the on-going 'war on terror'.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Why do the innocent suffer in a world created by a loving God? Does this mean that God cannot prevent this suffering, despite His supposed omnipotence? Or is God not loving after all? This in brief is 'the problem of evil'. The Devil provides one solution to this problem: his rebellion against God and hatred of His works is responsible for evil.The Christian Devil has fascinated writers and theologians since the time of the New Testament, and inspired many dramatic and haunting works of art. Today he remains a potent image in popular culture. The Devil: A Very Short Introduction presents an introduction to the Devil in the history of ideas and the lives of real people. Darren Oldridge shows us that he is a more important figure in western history than is often appreciated, and also a richly complex and contradictory one.Oldridge focuses on three main themes: the idea of the Devil being integral to western thought from the early Middle Ages to the beginnings of modernity; the principle of 'demonic inversion' (the idea that as the eternal leader of the opposition, the Devil represents the mirror image of goodness); and the multiplicity and instability of ideas about the Devil.While belief in the Devil has declined, the idea of an abstract force of evil is still remarkably strong. Oldridge concludes by exploring 'demonological' ways of thinking in our own time, including allegations of 'satanic ritual abuse' and the on-going 'war on terror'.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Economic Governance in Europe by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book Reasons Why by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book Comparative Political Economy by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book Tropical Forests in Prehistory, History, and Modernity by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book The Law of Maritime Blockade by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book The Scarlet Letter by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book A Supplementary Dictionary of Renewable Energy and Sustainability by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book Arguing about Empire by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Innovation Management by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book The UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book Human Rights and Immigration by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book Evidentialism and its Discontents by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book Shakespeare's Sonnets and Poems: A Very Short Introduction by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book British Politics: A Very Short Introduction by Darren Oldridge
Cover of the book Alternative Investment Funds in Europe by Darren Oldridge
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy