From Book News, Inc.
Kolakowski (U. of Chicago) reflects on the long-standing Christian debate, how to reconcile the existence of evil with the goodness of an omnipotent God, and how God's omnipotence is compatible with people's responsibility for their own salvation or damnation. He approaches the discussion as an exercise in theology and in revisionist Christian history based on philosophical analysis, touching on the Augustinian Jansenius' repudiation of free will and Pascal's moral philosophy. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.


Book Description
God Owes Us Nothing reflects on the centuries-long debate in Christianity: how do we reconcile the existence of evil in the world with the goodness of an omnipotent God, and how does God's omnipotence relate to people's responsibility for their own salvation or damnation. Leszek Kolakowski approaches this paradox as both an exercise in theology and in revisionist Christian history based on philosophical analysis. Kolakowski's unorthodox interpretation of the history of modern Christianity provokes renewed discussion about the historical, intellectual, and cultural omnipotence of neo-Augustinianism.

"Several books a year wrestle with that hoary conundrum, but few so dazzlingly as the Polish philosopher's latest."--Carlin Romano, Washington Post Book World

"Kolakowski's fascinating book and its debatable thesis raise intriguing historical and theological questions well worth pursuing."--Stephen J. Duffy, Theological Studies

"Kolakowski's elegant meditation is a masterpiece of cultural and religious criticism."--Henry Carrigan, Cleveland Plain Dealer

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Leszek Kolakowski reflects on the centuries-long debate in Christianity: how to reconcile the existence of evil in the world with the goodness of an omnipotent God, and how God's omnipotence is compatible with people's responsibility for their own salvation or damnation. He approaches this paradox as both an exercise in theology and in revisionist Christian history based on philosophical analysis. This unorthodox interpretation of the history of modern Christianity will provoke renewed discussion about the historical, intellectual, and cultural importance of neo-Augustinianism. Written with Kolakowski's characteristic wit and irony, God Owes Us Nothing will be required reading for philosophers, religious scholars, theologians, and historians alike.

FROM THE CRITICS

Booknews

Kolakowski (U. of Chicago) reflects on the long-standing Christian debate, how to reconcile the existence of evil with the goodness of an omnipotent God, and how God's omnipotence is compatible with people's responsibility for their own salvation or damnation. He approaches the discussion as an exercise in theology and in revisionist Christian history based on philosophical analysis, touching on the Augustinian Jansenius' repudiation of free will and Pascal's moral philosophy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Carlin Romano