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Sin, Evil and Job: Monotheism as a psychological and pastoral problem

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Abstract

The Book of Job, as interpreted by Jung and Capps, reveals that evil exists in creation and has its source in God. Evil is the inevitable result of God choosing to be subject to logical norms in order to avoid a chaotic world. However, according to religious tradition, the good in God outweighs the evil, which is why believers in God go to God for help even when God seems to inflict suffering upon them.

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References

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This paper arose from the course “Personal Sin and Social Evil” taught by Donald Capps and Richard K. Fenn at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1992.

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Nimmo, P.W. Sin, Evil and Job: Monotheism as a psychological and pastoral problem. Pastoral Psychol 42, 427–439 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01757444

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