Several recent discussions of the problem of evil have been sharply critical of theodicy as it is traditionally conceived. Critics claim that virtually all theodicists base their work on an understanding of God that is derived more from modern philosophy than biblical revelation, and is, therefore, decidedly unchristian and conceptually flawed. Because traditional theodicies defend a fallacious view of God, theodicists may actually perpetuate the evils they seek to explain, whether intentionally or unintentionally, by sanctioning oppression, placating the oppressed, legitimating oppressors, or blunting the harsh realities of experienced evil and thereby trivializing the suffering of victims. In so far as none of these represents a proper response to evil, the traditional theodicist is to blame.