Parallax Theology: Reframing Compensation Theodicy

The reality of suffering and the existence natural moral evils appear to present significant obstacles doctrine God’s omnipotence, omniscience, omnibenevolence. Theodicy is an attempt resolve problem evil. One formerly prominent theodicean response can be termed “compensation theodicy” (or “afterlife theodicy”), premised on notion that, in words philosopher Stephen Maitzen, “Heaven swamps everything,” that is, God compensates for earthly by way heavenly reward. This approach has fallen into disrepute. Here, two minor responses one major are sketched, drawing restorative justice, phenomenology, concept parallax. Building critical philosophies Kojin Karatani Slavoj Žižek, parallax denotes a perspectival shift, or optical cycling, between irreconcilable positions nevertheless some sense productive. Viewed through lens parallax, compensation theodicy appears far less controversial than theological thinkers have contended.