Theodicy or Fallacy? Suffering in a world of a loving God.
Key verse(s)/quote(s):
“Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, he is wicked. If God can abolish evil, and God really wants to do it, why is there evil in the world?” - Epicurus, as quoted in “2000 Years of Disbelief”
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.” - Job 38:1-4
“Then Job answered the LORD : “I am unworthy — how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.” - Job 40:3-5
Key takeaway(s):
- Humanity continually wishes to usurp God’s role as sole judge.
- God’s sovereignty demonstrated by His role as Creator is a continual reminder that the created (humans) cannot have the same wisdom as the Creator.
- Suffering can be used by God even if we can’t understand its purpose. His ways are higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:9)
- Worrying or complaining or questioning God = epic logic fail = epic faith fail
Overview:
As the scale of calamity increases for any disastrous event, humanity seems to have a reflex to thrust a finger heavenward in a fit of “righteous anger”. Every time I hear of some form of suffering in this world it seems a humanist or atheist will quickly ask the question “how could a good God allow such an event to happen?” Even if the event is clearly the fault of man such as an act of murder, God is somehow in the cross hairs. Beyond these types of “man-made atrocities”, there are those events where the focus on God becomes seemingly more reasonable, such as when some form of natural disaster hits or when one is born with some form of disability. Calls for justice on behalf of the innocent who die or the helpless who are handicapped seem to resonate even louder with those who question God’s role in this world. Perhaps at one time or another you may have pondered these thoughts yourself?
Beyond these “distanced sufferings”, it seems that when one is befallen with personal struggles, it is often easy to question God and as a result strain our faith - if we had any to begin with. Recently, I have been through a series of challenges and although I would like to clearly state that my personal stresses pale in comparison to the true sufferings of others in history it hasn’t been easy at times for me. I have not questioned God at all but it has been emotionally tiring and I have asked God to explain the purpose of the events if He wills that I know. Although at times our suffering may be a result of sin in our lives, it also can simply be a test (for ourselves) or the result of a host of other reasons that explains why we experience what we do. God has been so gracious to me and shown me a need to focus on my health, slow down and focus on where and how He wills I spend my time. However, I am also certain His plans are not this simple as an infinite God would work on an infinitely higher plane of understanding and weave a much more highly interwoven story. A story more complex than what I am even able to comprehend a fraction of - after all for Him past, present, and future are all seen within a single glance. I would not wish to insult God by saying that I understand all that happens to me (let alone events that happen in the world) in its entirety but I do know that His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) and that He is all powerful and all good - and that is enough for me.
It is deeply saddening that we so often throw blame God’s way when so many of the world’s atrocities are the result of our sinful nature and yet we don’t take responsibility. Man is credited with the results of mankind’s great acts of unity in the wake of events such as 9-11 and yet we blame God when it comes to the act of terrorism itself - also an act of man (no matter how much Islamic fundamentalists would like to say they serve God’s will). The one thing that remains clear is that man is capable of many good things but also many horrible things and in contrast God is sovereign over all things and the author of all good and perfect things (James 1:17) - notice this passage is used in closing as James discusses trials that will befall Christians.
As you encounter suffering and your natural reaction may be to question God, may you challenge yourself to grow in your faith as you learn to live in compliance with a worldview that consists of a sovereign God. Here is to hoping that the Godly will love God for who He is alone and not simply for His “benefits”. If you engage in dialogue with a non-Christian the next time a natural disaster or act of suffering hits, may you leverage that opportunity to share the wonderful trust and peace we have knowing that we have a sovereign God and that He alone holds the right to be sole Judge as Creator of all.
“And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” - Job 1:21
Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone!)
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