Andrei A. Orlov

Satan and the Problem of Evil

Theology

“In his new book, Satan and the Problem of Evil: From the Bible to the Early Church Fathers, published by Fortress Press, Archie T. Wright masterfully guides his readers through a complex web of literary sources pertaining to one of the thorniest and most enigmatic characters of early Jewish and Christian etiologies of evil—Satan. Wright’s book admirably succeeds in a thorough and meticulous exploration of the origins and early history of this elusive antagonist in the literature of ancient Israel, of various texts from Second Temple Period Judaism(s), the writings of the New Testament, and the literature of the apologists and theologians of the early church. Although Wright’s book deals mainly with the figure of Satan, it provides important methodological lessons for understanding other antagonists of early Jewish mythologies of corruption, including Melchiresha, Mastema, and Belial. A remarkable study, rigorous in character and judicious in quality throughout, it demonstrates Wright’s philological depth, historical prowess, and highly nuanced theological sensibilities. It is indisputably the definitive work on Jewish and Christian demonology in modern scholarship and will long hold that position. Methodological insights of this portentous study will continue to have a profound impact in upcoming decades on the field of early Judaism in general and on studies of Jewish demonology in particular. This brilliant, nuanced, and thought-provoking study is a must-read for everyone who is interested in the theology and history of early Judaism and early Christianity.”