REVERSING THEODICY: THE ISSUE OF EVIL AND SUFFERING

Both theologically and pastorally Christians often approach the issue of evil and suffering backwards.  We try to defend the presence of evil.  Despite attempts to seek out an answer, the Bible simply does not explain the reason.  Our first creation account starts with three unexplained symbols of chaos that are contra-life: a formless, empty land engulfed in water and surrounded by darkness.

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Gen 1:2-3 NIV; verse 1 is a title/summary)

Our second biblical text about creation starts with a serpent figure, an ancient Near Eastern symbol of chaos:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"  (Gen 3:1, NIV).

For some reason, we cannot bear not having an explanation for the serpent and evil.  For example, people for ages have sought to equate the serpent figure to “the Satan” (Hebrew for "the adversary") and then Satan to “lucifer” (a Latin translation found also in the KJV) a term which is found in a poetic taunt song in Isa 14:12 with a symbolic reference to Venus (=Morning/Evening Star; Hebrew helel = “shining one”), culminating with the supposition that “lucifer” is a fallen angel.  However, the poetic Isaiah imagery apparently traces back Canaanite/Ugaritic mythology in which stars were associated with gods and the god Helel ben Shahar was a punished, cast-down god.  In short, this explanation for the serpent/devil is a remythologized form of pagan mythology!  On a more sophisticated level, various arguments are given for the origin of evil such as the absence of good or the presence of “free will.”

As interesting as the pursuit of the origin of evil might be, my point here is that we need to turn the issue around: Why is there any order and life?  Theologically reflecting, Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 answers the question: God spoke order into darkness and brought forth light; God spoke into the watery deep and brought about an orderly cosmos; God spoke into a jumbled earth and brought about ordered land and seas; and then God created all life.  The nature of our God is that God brings order into chaos.  As ones created in the image of God, that, too, should be our role.

Scientifically reflecting, all life as we know it exists in an extremely delicate balance of order and chaos.  Too much order and all would be “crystalline.”  Too much chaos and everything falls apart.

What about reflecting pastorally?  We all encounter chaos continually.  The maintenance of life is a battle against chaos, from keeping weeds out of garden to dealing with COVID.  On the one hand, living righteously confronts various forms of chaos in our world.  On the other, sin (seeking to be like God) as repeatedly demonstrated throughout the Bible, tips the balance toward the encroachment of more chaos in our lives.  However, in life’s battle against chaos, some people present a witness to something most important.  Some people do struggle against chaos to live righteously.  They produce order and life for others.  And, so many people, who are facing the same forms of suffering and death as all other people, demonstrate a Presence of order and peace in their lives.  Their example turns the question of evil and suffering around to the more significant question: “Why is there order and peace in your life?”  “Where does that order come from?”  That is when the answer is, “Jesus is in my life.”

Main Point: Christians are not called to defend the presence of chaos and evil but to lead people to Order and Life.

Lord, may I seek your order and life.  Until the promised new heavens and earth that will have no chaos, may your Presence of order and peace be in my life as a witness to Jesus.  Amen.