Tragic Vision and Divine Compassion

Wendy Farley's book examines theodicy in terms of the concept of "sin." Farley defines sin as the absence of harmony. It introduces chaos and despair to a person's heart. The effects of sin bring isolation from the community because one of the effects of sin is deception. Deception undermines the harmony of the individual by welcoming chaos into a person's life. Farley differentiates between personal chaos whose isolating effects can motivate personal change and rehabilitation from the "radical suffering" which occurs from the henious sins committed against the innocent that leave them powerless to respond with any semblance of humaness. Farley introduces Jesus as the essential Divine Compassion who consistently chooses to minister to those in pain regardless of personal suffering. The thesis is relevant and thought provoking. Farley deals with theodicy in a contemporary voice that needs to be heard. Excellent for students of theology an! ! d ministry!