Nomad Podcast

Thomas Oord - The Uncontrolling Love of God (N168)


Listen Later

Professor Thomas Oord has spent years wrestling with the problem of evil. Why, if God is all powerful and all loving, is there so much evil in the world? This question has brought Thomas to the edge of his faith. In recent years, though, he has begun to consider a radical solution. Perhaps God can't stop evil? As shocking as this sounds, Thomas is careful to show how biblical this idea is, and just how much it looks like Jesus. Tune in for a mind bending episode!

“If God really didn’t want something and God had the power to stop it – to prevent it – then God should do so, if God is perfectly loving. And so this idea of saying ‘God won’t stop evil’ ends up making God ultimately culpable for failing to prevent it. And so I’ve come to believe that we need to take the next step and say that God really can’t stop evil.” - Thomas Oord

Interview begins at 11m 21s

Books, quotes, links →

The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited.

If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!

If a monthly commitment isn’t possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.

Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.

And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Nomad PodcastBy Nomad

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

418 ratings


More shows like Nomad Podcast

View all
Word of Life Church Podcast by Pastor Brian Zahnd

Word of Life Church Podcast

319 Listeners

On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

On Being with Krista Tippett

10,326 Listeners

Homebrewed Christianity by Dr. Tripp Fuller

Homebrewed Christianity

561 Listeners

The RobCast by Rob Bell

The RobCast

4,171 Listeners

The Bible For Normal People by Peter Enns and Jared Byas

The Bible For Normal People

3,260 Listeners

The Sacred by Theos

The Sacred

79 Listeners

Ask NT Wright Anything by Premier Unbelievable

Ask NT Wright Anything

1,983 Listeners

You Have Permission by Dan Koch

You Have Permission

525 Listeners

Another Name For Every Thing with Richard Rohr by Center for Action and Contemplation

Another Name For Every Thing with Richard Rohr

3,214 Listeners

Turning to the Mystics with James Finley by Center for Action and Contemplation

Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

1,787 Listeners

No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp by Tokens Media

No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp

500 Listeners

Learning How to See with Brian McLaren by Center for Action and Contemplation

Learning How to See with Brian McLaren

739 Listeners

Trinity Forum Conversations by The Trinity Forum

Trinity Forum Conversations

196 Listeners

Re-Enchanting by Seen & Unseen

Re-Enchanting

94 Listeners

Everything Belongs: Living the Teachings of Richard Rohr Forward by Center for Action and Contemplation

Everything Belongs: Living the Teachings of Richard Rohr Forward

609 Listeners