Theological Term of the Week: Theodicy

theodicy
A vindication of God given the presence of evil in the world he created and rules; an answer to “the problem of evil.” 

• From scripture, the problem stated:

You who are of purer eyes than to see evil
and cannot look at wrong,
why do you idly look at traitors
and remain silent when the wicked swallows up
the man more righteous than he? (Habakuk 1:13 ESV)

• From scripture, a hint—and maybe more—at the solution to the problem:

  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:7-14 ESV). 

• From the 1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 6:

Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof, yet he did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully transgress the law of their creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit, which God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.

• From Concise Theology by J. I. Packer, page 56:

Of the evils that infect God’s world (moral and spiritual perversity, waste of good, and the physical disorders and disruptions of a spoiled cosmos), it can summarily be said: God permits evil (Acts 14:16); he punishes evil with evil (Ps. 81:11-12; Rom. 1:26-32); he brings good out of evil (Gen. 50:20; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28; 13:27; 1 Cor.2:7-8); he uses evil to test and discipline those he loves (Matt. 4:1-11; Heb. 12:4-14); and one day he will redeem his people from the power and presence of evil altogether (Rev. 21:27; 22:14-15).

Learn more:

1. Simply Put: Theodicy
2. Blue Letter Bible: The Problem of Evil
3. W. Gary Crampton: A Biblical Theodicy
4. R. C. Sproul: Why Does God Allow Evil?
5. Don Carson: How can God allow evil and suffering in the world? (video)

Related terms: 

• decretive will
• omnipotence
• omniscience
• providence
• righteousness (as an attribute of God)
• sovereignty of God
• wisdom (of God)

Filed under Apologetics

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