If there's anything in my ministry that tires me most, it has to be defending a God who can let people suffer. Theologians call this the "question of theodicy." I call it hard work.
It's hard work holding together these two opposing ideas at the same time--God is good, and God allows suffering in his creation. (Oh, you might say that suffering is the result of sin having entered the world, it's not God's fault! I say that too--but at the same time, God is God and doesn't have to let sin stop him. And besides, the man born blind's sin was not the cause of his affliction, Jesus said, nor was it his parents' sin. So who's to blame when a husband or wife or God forbid! a child gets sick, or is starving, or abuse like the one on the news today--26 bones broken. Surely God almighty could have saved that child from suffering? That's surely God's fault.) It's hard work.
But to go the other way - say that there is no God, or that he's like a grand clock maker (winds us up and watches as we run down) is much worse. For who to blame the wonders of creation on? Or the exquisite joy of a new found love? Who takes the rap for the good in the world? Us? I don't think so.
So I guess I will have to keep working to keep those two premises in the air at once. What I usually do is add a third--just to make it even. God is good. God allows suffering in the world. But God sent Jesus, his son, who died that suffering may one day not even be remembered. When I add Jesus to the equation, somehow it takes the edge off God's culpability. Yes God allows suffering (we don't know why), but not forever. And sometimes God provides the means for us to relieve suffering - not all of it--but more each day. And one day, God promises, no more tears--only smiles and laughter and shouts of Alleluia!
The reading from Job in this Sunday's lectionary got me thinking of theodicy again. Why not read the book of Job and see what you feel about how God is presented in it...
Pastor Tom
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