The Riddle of the Book of Job
Br Philip-Thomas Edwards

Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th April at the Carmelite Church (41 Kensington Church St, London W8 4BB)

From 7 – 9pm (talks from 7:30pm)

The Book of Job is strange. Its basic message is to teach that human suffering cannot be simplistically interpreted as a punishment for sin. Job is an upright man who is sorely tested – and yet remains patient. But on closer inspection, the Book turns out to be highly puzzling. Its different parts seem to pull in different directions – the pious Job of the prologue seems very different to the rebellious Job who argues at great length with his friends in the main body of the Book. God’s final answer to Job seems furious with him – but then straight after it God endorses Job’s words. And what’s with God’s answer to Job? He spends four chapters pointing to the natural world – snow and hail, ostriches and mountain goats, and then the mythical beasts Behemoth and Leviathan – to answer Job’s questioning of his providence. How is this an answer?

Br Philip-Thomas will guide us through the complexities of this fascinating text and suggest an answer to the riddle of the Book of Job.
Monday’s talk will be dedicated to presenting the Book of Job and the contradictions it presents, and then looking at some possible interpretations. Tuesday’s talk will point out some less-remarked features of the Book of Job and suggest that they converge on a coherent answer that makes profound theological sense of the puzzles of the Book.

Suggested donation: £10 (£5 unwaged). Light refreshments will be provided.

We hope you can join us!