The Hardest Problem

How can a supposedly all-powerful and all-loving God permit evil and suffering on a grand scale?

The question has assailed people across cultures at least as far back as the biblical Book of Job. To sceptics, it forms clinching evidence that all talk of providence is childish -- or even a dangerous delusion. Writing clearly and concisely but avoiding simplistic answers, Rupert Shortt argues that belief in a divine Creator is intellectually robust, despite apparent signs to the contrary. Having cleared the ground, he goes on to show how a Christian understanding, in particular, points the way forward through terrain where raw feeling, intellectual inquiry and the toughest trials of the spirit often overlap.

The Hardest Problem takes its place alongside the work of C. S. Lewis as an essential guide to one of life's deepest dilemmas for a new generation of readers.

“'Beguiling'”

Rupert Shortt is clear and incisive in this new work of theodicy -- Iain McGilchrist
'One of the most cogent writers of our day' -- Peter Sedgwick
-- Julia Neuberger
'Deep theological knowledge and spiritual discernment' -- John Barton
'Wise, informed and immensely thoughtful' -- Alister McGrath
A stunning challenge to the casual atheism of our age -- Angela Tilby
His arguments are powerful -- Bishop Erik Varden
The book succeeds in presenting a reasoned case for holding fast to the reality of God, as Christianity understands it, and not shirking from the troubling existence of suffering. -- Mark Vernon
intelligent and lucid -- Melanie McDonagh
a profoundly helpful book -- Timothy Radcliffe
Unlike most participants in this lively debate, Rupert Shortt hasn't decided the answer before asking the question . . . After all, evil and suffering are not a problem to be fixed but a mystery to be entered. -- Sam Wells
Shortt has an admirable gift for making the obscure lucid, for chasing away confusions, and for saying a great deal in a small space without sacrifice of substance or profundity -- David Bentley Hart
Rupert Shortt gets to grips with this philosophical, theological, pastoral and human conundrum incisively but sensitively -- Fr Alban McCoy
The Hardest Problem contains hard thought, emotional honesty and keen awareness of the issues. TLS
This is an immensely attractive exposition of Christian faith, accessible to a wide readership, and ideal for discussion groups on these topics. Church Times

Rupert Shortt is a bestselling author and Research Associate at the Von Hugel Institute, University of Cambridge. He was religion editor of The Times Literary Supplement from 2000 to 2020, and is a former Visiting Fellow at Oxford University. The author of many books, Rupert has also contributed to a wide range of publications including the Guardian, Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, The Tablet and the Madrid-based Revista de Libros.

How can a supposedly all-powerful and all-loving God permit evil and suffering on a grand scale? The question has assailed people across cultures at least as far back as the biblical Book of Job. To sceptics, it forms clinching evidence that all talk of providence is childish -- or even a dangerous delusion. Writing clearly and concisely but avoiding simplistic answers, Rupert Shortt argues that belief in a divine Creator is intellectually robust, despite apparent signs to the contrary. Having cleared the ground, he goes on to show how a Christian understanding, in particular, points the way forward through terrain where raw feeling, intellectual inquiry and the toughest trials of the spirit often overlap. The Hardest Problem takes its place alongside the work of C. S. Lewis as an essential guide to one of life's deepest dilemmas for a new generation of readers.

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