The Religion & Culture Web Forum
November 2009
Theorizing Theodicy in the Study of Religion
Noting a dearth of theoretical grounding in theological discussions of the problem of evil, Mark Scott of Concordia University strives to develop a paradigm that frames "new trajectories for research in theodicy in religious studies." He begins with a survey of significant theorists of religion (Max Weber, Peter Berger, Clifford Geertz, and Paul Tillich--among others) before elaborating upon his chosen paradigm: "Theodicy as Navigation"--"a ship caught in a violent storm at sea"--as an analogy for the function of theodicy within religious experience. In this way, according to Scott, the conversation may diverge "beyond the 'what' of theodicy . . . to the 'how.'" It moves from a "macro" level of analysis (constitutive of sweeping claims) to the micro level of analysis that illuminates "the personal experience of suffering and the effort to render it meaningful."
With invited responses from Charles Long (University of California, Santa Barbara, emeritus), Sally Stamper (University of Chicago Divinity School), Kevin Taylor (Boston University), and Bryan L. Wagoner (Harvard University).
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