Episode 171: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Theodicy? (The Book of Job)

David and Tamler dive back into the Bible, this time to the perplexing and poetic Book of Job. What does this book have to say about the theodicy, the problem of evil? Why does Job (and his children) have to suffer so much just so God can prove a point to Satan? Are the speeches of Job's friends meant to be convincing? Does Job capitulate in the end? Does God contradict himself in the last chapter? What's the deal with Elihu? So many questions, not as many answers – maybe that's why it's such a classic. Plus, "transhumanism" – dystopian wet dream or perfect moral system of the future based on logic, reason, and code? (Always code). Sponsored By: Simple Habit: Try out Simple Habit--the meditation app that can make your life better in as little as 5-minutes per day. Support Very Bad Wizards Links: Environmentalists are Wrong: Nature Isn't Sacred and We Should Replace It - Transhumanist Wager Transhumanism - Wikipedia The Book of Job (New International Version) Book of Job - Wikipedia Who really wrote the Book of Job? - Jewish World - Haaretz - Israel News | Haaretz.com Satan - Wikipedia Morriston, W. (1996). God's answer to Job. Religious studies, 32(3), 339-356. Misery | The New Yorker