David Birnbaum's God and Evil is major theological study which systematically confronts the philosophical problem of evil, and the Holocaust in particular. It presents an extensively researched and comprehensive review of the subject. In a clearly presented and readable exposition, Birnbaum then proposes a refreshing and powerful formulation. Combining modern and classic, rationalist and mystic themes, Birnbaum's proposed solution to the ancient problem of evil is perhaps the most elegant to appear in modern times. Anchored biblically and philosophically, Birnbaums's formulation proposes that two paths lie before humankind: the path of dependence on God, which while leading to ultimate bliss, is humanly unsatisfying and unfulfilling. And the second path, that of maximum potential, in which the individual achieves fuller freedom and responsibility; a path fraught with peril, although ultimately more fulfilling. The Divine, whose very core is 'Holy Potential' in Birnbaum's thesis, is not uncaring; rather, through an exercise of Divine contraction, He allows mankind to continue along the second path, so that ultimately man may emerge with greater spiritual maturity and, together with the Divine, attain the fullest possible potentiality. Though proceeding from a Jewish context, Birnbaum's compelling presentation and original synthesis will be of considerable value to adherents of all Western religions. God and Evil has been acclaimed by philosophers and theologians of all faiths. This philosophically exciting work has generated very considerable attention. It has been widley reviewed, has been selected as a main Feature Selection of The Jewish Book Club, has already been assigned as a course text at major universities around the world, and has been critically acclaimed as "the best book in print on the subject."
by David Birnbaum