The Innocence of God: Does God Ordain Evil?

The Bible teaches us that God is sovereign over all. Does that mean that in his sovereignty and foreknowledge, all events are determined? What about evil and the choices of man to disobey God or not believe in him at all? What a choice to have to choose between a good but weak God or a bad but strong God. The sovereignty of God, the existence of evil, the responsibility of man ... how do these work together to explain human history and the reality of the world around us? Belief in the sovereignty of God has lead to extreme forms of determinism, while a rejection of God’s sovereignty has resulted in an openness view of history, which assumes the idea of a God with limited power and knowledge. In "The Innocence of God", Udo Middelmann critiques both positions and demonstrates the continuing battle of a good and powerful God for his creation. God admonishes us to seek justice, goodness and mercy in the continuing struggle against evil. The truth of God’s patient, yet powerful battle for redemption is absent when everything has been already determined.