While there are differing theologies on the issue of theodicy, Dr. Duke shares some of his personal ponderings in this Guest Coffee Talk.
Mankind has been plagued since time began with the question why?! We usually ask this exclamatory question whenever we are seized by an untimely death, natural disaster, or some other calamity that overtakes us. Why did this have to happen to our family? Why would this happen to someone so young? Why did this have to happen now? This has been an open-ended riddle or paradox for philosophy and theology alike. Clergy are left to offer platitudes and religious clichés in times of spiritual need or dark hours. This is a time when God’s presence is desperately needed--yet seems so far away.
This conundrum is known as the problem of theodicy. Theodicy is defined as, “The branch of theology that defends God’s goodness and justice in the face of the existence of evil,” or “A vindication of the justice of God in ordaining or permitting natural and moral evil.”
The following are only personal impressions of one who has been smitten with the paradox. How the “twins” of evil and suffering have caused me to ponder as a pastor-teacher, missionary, professor, father, and husband are what I find so interesting. Not one of us is immune to death, disease, or destruction. God’s own children may be the first to suffer--even suffer the most.
I have observed that suffering seems to divide itself naturally into two major categories of two each. These are the sufferings of the lost and the sufferings of the redeemed. The lost suffer (as do the saved) generally for just being a member of Adam’s Race. When our original forbearers sinned, God passed judgment on all of humankind. The Curse became the paradigm rather than the exception. It was all-inclusive; theologically, they knew they were separated from God; psychologically, they knew their guilt; domestically, they knew of their rift; physically, they knew pain in work and child bearing; and, ecologically, they knew thorns and thistles. Suffering became the status quo.
As we move from the general to the particular, note that each suffers for his or her own sin. The Scriptures teach that individuals are responsible for the acts and results of personal rebellion against God (cf. Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 3:23, & Romans 6:23). There are consequences for that sin. Cause and effect ensue in the physical world and truly in the spiritual realm as well. It may even be truer in the spiritual realm. The physical results may pass away, but the spiritual results have everlasting repercussions.
One reason God’s child suffers is that he or she needs to learn a certain lesson. The Christian suffers remedially; to learn a lesson heretofore unlearned. Many of the saved are “hard headed” (cf. Exodus wanderings, I Corinthians 10, & Hebrews). When the basic Christian lessons go unlearned, believers must “go around Sinai one more time.” The problem is that some followers never do “get it.” They were able to get out of Egypt but never able to reach the Promised Land. This condition comes about because of actions for which we will not repent. Suffering follows axiomatically from rebellion.
The second reason the Christian suffers is redemptively. God uses the life circumstances of suffering to conform (read redeem) us to the image of His son. He is also doing what is for His glory (Isaiah 42:8 & cf. Job). Secondly, God works all things for our good (cf. Job & Romans 8:28ff). Believers suffer because they are the offspring of Adam, because of their own sin, because they do not learn certain lessons, AND for the glory of God.
According to John Piper, God is concerned mainly with His own glory. God loves His glory and us so much, He will do whatever it takes for the believer to glory Him. (John Piper, Family Life Today Radio Broadcast, WCRV Memphis, TN, Nov. 25, 2004). These processes of suffering and evil show God’s glory and good for us. God loves us so much that He allows us to enter into His glory when we suffer for His name. How then is the call to discipleship, cross-bearing, and basic Christianity not the call to suffer for God with Christ? Then why do we “kick against the pricks” as St. Paul did? Think about it! Amen!
(Please note that you will need to take the spaces out before and after the @ sign . . . this is placed this way to avoid spam emails.)
