Answering the question of evil

Theodicy: The vindication of the divine attributes, especially justice and holiness, in respect to the existence of evil . . . intended to ‘justify the ways of God to men’. (The Shorter OED)

“Theodicy” is a very impressive term with an impressive history. It was coined by the philosopher Leibniz in 1710, in a book addressing humanist and skeptical arguments against Christianity. While the term is “modern,” however, the subject is not. Augustine, writing at the end of the 4th century and defending the Christian God to the Greek world, wrote impressive “justifications” that we still use.

But theodicy is not just the domain of the theologian. It may be one of the few theological disciplines that are part of the fabric of everyday life. In fact, the problem of reconciling a loving God with evil and suffering seems to come up every time Christianity faces a challenge. I know this, for I have written, preached and argued defences of a loving God on many occasions.

During one’s youth, in particular, the world of suffering people fills the heart with a sense of outrage. How can it be fair, to be strong, rich and vigourous while children just as deserving as I am die for lack of a cup of water, a loaf of bread, or an antibiotic? The eyes of a pleading child or a desperate mother cry out for answers and my own health and prosperity testify to the appearance of injustice.

The classic answer is that suffering is the by-product of God’s gracious gift of free will. Adam’s choice brought systemic evil into creation and our subsequent choices compound that systemic evil.

Unfortunately, this answer still seems to make God responsible for the whole mess and the debate rages on. It is made all the more difficult by God’s retort when Job asked “why?”: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand” (Job 38:2,4). The Bible is surprisingly silent on the matter of theodicy.

Recently, coming home from a mission trip to Central America and having seen the eyes of suffering children again, I realized, to my surprise, that I have lost my passion for theodicy. What happened? Has advancing age sapped me of interest in theological debates? Have I grown cold to the suffering of the world’s children?

As I reflected on this strange ambivalence, I realized something else had taken place.

Over the years, I have sat with parents as their child died in their arms. I have watched people die of ALS, AIDS and cancer. I have watched them suffer strokes and languish in senior’s homes. And now as I look into the eyes of those who suffer, I no longer feel the suffering of the world outside myself. I know that, along with beauty and joy, suffering is deeply woven into the fabric of life – the life of people I love, and my own life.

I realized that somewhere along the way, my preoccupation had changed. It is no longer justifying the ways of God to humankind, but rather finding God’s gifts of peace and joy in a world corrupted by suffering, pain and evil. Where is God for the mother whose child is dying? Where is hope when the diagnosis is terminal cancer? Where does one look when there is no relief of pain in sight? And now as I look about at a broken world the burning question is less “why is this happening?” than “what does the child of God do when faced with suffering and evil?”

The Bible may not give us a theodicy but it does address that latter question. It addresses it exhaustively. The answers are not simplistic or glib but multifaceted and intricate and given in the context of countless situations. One of the Bible’s most powerful answers, in fact, comes juxtaposed against the deepest suffering.

Against the backdrop of shattered dreams, social collapse and genocide, Jeremiah wrote, “I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath . . . Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:1, 21–22).

Christians do not have the complete answer to the question, “Why does evil exist?” But we are assured that if we are His, we can still hope and will not be consumed. That is worth knowing – and understanding.

James Toews is pastor of Neighbourhood Church, Nanaimo, B.C. He is writing this column every other issue during 2005.