Exaltation and atrocity: why kenotic humility can’t justify divine concurrence of evil

International Journal of Philosophy and Theology 79 (5):493-506 (2017)
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Abstract

ABSTRACT‘Exaltation views’ of humility are grounded on a kenotic view of humility, such that divine blessing comes proportionate to the extent to which an agent humbles herself. This article rejects exaltation views of humility which define humility kenotically, justify their arguments from a divine hiddenness perspective, and which conclude that divine concurrence with evil is justified as long as all humble believers eventually are exalted and blessed. Rather, I will contend that exaltation views misunderstand the meaning of both ‘humility’ and ‘exaltation,’ even from their own Christian standpoint. I ultimately offer an alternate response to the problem of evil based on an existentially grounded conception of ‘humility’, which provides for a transmuted turn away from individual kenotic acts and toward community to transform those who suffer from atrocities.

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Jill Hernandez
Texas Tech University

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References found in this work

The Problem of Evil.Peter van Inwagen - 2007 - Philosophical Quarterly 57 (229):696-698.
Evil and the God of Love.John Hick - 1966 - Philosophy 42 (160):165-167.
Pride Shame and Guilt.Gabriele Taylor - 1989 - Noûs 23 (2):253-254.

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