Theology for Troubled Believers: A Lenten Journey 2. Suffering Sunday, March 27, 2011 10 to 10:50...

Theology for Theology for Troubled Believers:Troubled Believers:A Lenten JourneyA Lenten Journey

2. Suffering2. Suffering

Sunday, March 27, 201110 to 10:50 am, in the Parlor

Presenter: David Monyak

March 13 and March 20: The Nature of God.March 13 and March 20: The Nature of God. Topics: Introduction to Theology. The Holy One of Israel. The Topics: Introduction to Theology. The Holy One of Israel. The

Maker of Heaven and Earth. The Limits of Science. What is Maker of Heaven and Earth. The Limits of Science. What is Meant by “God”Meant by “God”

March 27: SufferingMarch 27: Suffering Topics: Topics: Nature as a Witness and Innocent Nature as a Witness and Innocent

Suffering. Innocent Suffering and Life Beyond Suffering. Innocent Suffering and Life Beyond Death. Suffering from Nature and Extreme Death. Suffering from Nature and Extreme Human Cruelty.Human Cruelty.

April 3: The Divine Sacrifices.April 3: The Divine Sacrifices. Topics: Topics: The Sacrifice in Creation. Incarnation as Sacrifice. The The Sacrifice in Creation. Incarnation as Sacrifice. The

Temptations in the Wilderness. The Sacrifice of the Cross.Temptations in the Wilderness. The Sacrifice of the Cross. April 10: The New Life in God.April 10: The New Life in God.

Topics: Topics: The Resurrection of Jesus and Eternal Life. Jesus as The Resurrection of Jesus and Eternal Life. Jesus as Lord and Jesus as Servant. Revelation and Faith.Lord and Jesus as Servant. Revelation and Faith.

April 17: Responding to God.April 17: Responding to God. Topics: Topics: The Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Sacraments. Sin, The Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Sacraments. Sin,

Evil, and Hope for the Future.Evil, and Hope for the Future.

ReferenceReference

Theology for a Theology for a Troubled Believer. Troubled Believer. An Introduction to An Introduction to the Christian the Christian Faith.Faith. Diogenes Diogenes Allen, 2010. Allen, 2010. Chapters 6, 7, and 8Chapters 6, 7, and 8

ReferenceReference

Theology for a Troubled Believer. An Theology for a Troubled Believer. An Introduction to the Christian Faith.Introduction to the Christian Faith. Diogenes Allen, 2010Diogenes Allen, 2010

Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings, you have power over Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings, you have power over

life and death. You know even things that are uncertain life and death. You know even things that are uncertain

and obscure, and our very thoughts and feelings are not and obscure, and our very thoughts and feelings are not

hidden from you. Cleanse me from my secret faults, and I hidden from you. Cleanse me from my secret faults, and I

have done wrong and you saw it. You know how weak I have done wrong and you saw it. You know how weak I

am, both in soul and in body. Give me strength, O Lord, am, both in soul and in body. Give me strength, O Lord,

in my frailty, and sustain me in my sufferings. Grant me a in my frailty, and sustain me in my sufferings. Grant me a

prudent judgment, dear Lord, and let me always be prudent judgment, dear Lord, and let me always be

mindful of your blessings. Let me retain until the end your mindful of your blessings. Let me retain until the end your

grace that has protected me till now.grace that has protected me till now.Saint Ephrem of Edessa, c. 306-373Saint Ephrem of Edessa, c. 306-373

Teacher, Poet, Orator, and Defender of the FaithTeacher, Poet, Orator, and Defender of the Faith

Feast Day June 10Feast Day June 10

This week:This week:SufferingSuffering

SUFFERINGSUFFERING

OverviewOverview

OverviewOverviewSufferingSuffering

Natural Witnesses to God Available to All:Natural Witnesses to God Available to All: The External Witness of NatureThe External Witness of Nature An “Inner” WitnessAn “Inner” Witness God’s Power, Wisdom, and Goodness Displayed in God’s Power, Wisdom, and Goodness Displayed in

CreationCreation The Problem of Innocent SufferingThe Problem of Innocent Suffering

Job’s Assertion of Innocent Suffering in CreationJob’s Assertion of Innocent Suffering in Creation Jesus on Innocent Suffering and God’s Idea of Jesus on Innocent Suffering and God’s Idea of

JusticeJustice


Justice and Belief in the Life To ComeJustice and Belief in the Life To Come The Difficulty of Truly Loving JusticeThe Difficulty of Truly Loving Justice Justice, Our Need for Mercy, and Belief in the Life Justice, Our Need for Mercy, and Belief in the Life

To ComeTo Come ““Almighty” versus “Omnipotent”Almighty” versus “Omnipotent” The Free Will Defense to Suffering Caused by The Free Will Defense to Suffering Caused by

OthersOthers


““Natural” Evil and SufferingNatural” Evil and Suffering Lessons in Humility from a StoicLessons in Humility from a Stoic The Experience of God’s love in the Midst of The Experience of God’s love in the Midst of

Suffering. Suffering. Extreme Human CrueltyExtreme Human Cruelty

Concept of a “Total Event”Concept of a “Total Event” Our Calling to Act RedemptivelyOur Calling to Act Redemptively

Natural Natural Witnesses to Witnesses to

God God

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodThe Witness To God of CreationThe Witness To God of Creation

The heavens are telling the glory of God;The heavens are telling the glory of God;and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech,Day to day pours forth speech,And night to night declares knowledge.And night to night declares knowledge.There is no speech, nor are there words;There is no speech, nor are there words;Their voice is not heard;Their voice is not heard;yet their voice goes out through all the yet their voice goes out through all the earth,earth,and their words to the end of the world.and their words to the end of the world.

- Psalm 19:1-4- Psalm 19:1-4


Paul writes in Romans:Paul writes in Romans: Romans 1:20: Romans 1:20: Ever since the creation of the Ever since the creation of the

world his eternal power and divine nature, world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things understood and seen through the things he has made. …he has made. …


Nature’s order and existence are not self-Nature’s order and existence are not self-explanatory.explanatory.

Nature’s order and existence thus raise an Nature’s order and existence thus raise an ultimate question. ultimate question.

A choice must be made between:A choice must be made between: taking the universe as just a brute fact that has no taking the universe as just a brute fact that has no

explanation, or explanation, or seriously examining the possibility that the natural seriously examining the possibility that the natural

world is dependent on God.world is dependent on God.

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodThe “Inner Witness” To GodThe “Inner Witness” To God

There is also an “inner witness” available to all There is also an “inner witness” available to all people.people.

In Genesis 3, after Adam and the woman In Genesis 3, after Adam and the woman disobeyed God, they hide themselves when they disobeyed God, they hide themselves when they hear God walking in the garden. hear God walking in the garden.

God calls, God calls, “Adam, where are you?”“Adam, where are you?” It is not that God does not know where Adam is. It is not that God does not know where Adam is.

Rather, Adam and Eve no longer know where Rather, Adam and Eve no longer know where they are. they are. They have lost their orientation toward They have lost their orientation toward GodGod (= the fundamental meaning of sin, or (= the fundamental meaning of sin, or original sin) original sin)

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodThe “Inner Witness” To GodThe “Inner Witness” To God

““Where am I?” = What is the ultimate reality Where am I?” = What is the ultimate reality in which I stand? What is my purpose here?in which I stand? What is my purpose here?

Each of us encounters and ponders this Each of us encounters and ponders this question in one form or another at various question in one form or another at various times in our lives.times in our lives.

In pondering this question, we are “hearing” In pondering this question, we are “hearing” and responding to God’s call. and responding to God’s call.

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodGod’s Power, Wisdom, GoodnessGod’s Power, Wisdom, Goodness

God’s Creation eloquently witnesses to God’s God’s Creation eloquently witnesses to God’s powerpower, , wisdomwisdom and and goodnessgoodness..

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodGod’s PowerGod’s Power

Psalm 33:Psalm 33:

Let all the earth fear the Lord;Let all the earth fear the Lord;

let all the inhabitants of the world stand let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.in awe of him.

For he spoke, and it came to be;For he spoke, and it came to be;

he commanded, and it stood firm …he commanded, and it stood firm …

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodGod’s PowerGod’s Power

Isaiah encourages the people of Israel to take Isaiah encourages the people of Israel to take heart by reminding them that Yahweh was the heart by reminding them that Yahweh was the creator of the universe:creator of the universe:

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God God (40:1) …(40:1) …

Who has measured the waters in the hollow Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span? with a span? (40:12a) …(40:12a) …

Even the nations are like a drop from a Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are counted as dust on the bucket, and are counted as dust on the scales. scales. (40:15a).(40:15a).

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodGod’s WisdomGod’s Wisdom

God’s wisdom is stressed in the creation story God’s wisdom is stressed in the creation story of Genesis 1, in which the world is ordered in of Genesis 1, in which the world is ordered in a sequence of six days, with the frequent a sequence of six days, with the frequent refrain, refrain, “And God saw that it was good” “And God saw that it was good” (vv. 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25), concluding in verse (vv. 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25), concluding in verse 31 31 “God saw everything that he had “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.”made, and indeed, it was very good.”

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodGod’s WisdomGod’s Wisdom

God reminds Job of God’s responsibility for God reminds Job of God’s responsibility for all creatures and the great beauty and order of all creatures and the great beauty and order of the cosmos:the cosmos: ““Where were you when I laid the Where were you when I laid the

foundation of the earth?. . . Who foundation of the earth?. . . Who determined its measurements? . . . Have determined its measurements? . . . Have you commanded the morning since your you commanded the morning since your days began? . . . Have you entered into the days began? . . . Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?” recesses of the deep?” (Job 38:4, 5, 12, 16). (Job 38:4, 5, 12, 16).

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodGod’s GoodnessGod’s Goodness

The goodness of God that nature reveals is the The goodness of God that nature reveals is the making of a habitable universe, a place for us making of a habitable universe, a place for us and all other creatures. and all other creatures. This is reflected in the cosmology in Genesis when This is reflected in the cosmology in Genesis when

God separates and holds back the waters. God separates and holds back the waters.

““Natural” Witnesses to GodNatural” Witnesses to GodGod’s GoodnessGod’s Goodness

Psalm 104 praises God’s goodness in providing for us Psalm 104 praises God’s goodness in providing for us and all other creatures a world in which our basic needs and all other creatures a world in which our basic needs can be met:can be met: You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they

flow between the hills, giving drink to every wild flow between the hills, giving drink to every wild animal. You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, animal. You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use to bring forth food and plants for people to use to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart …heart …

These These [and many more named in the psalm] [and many more named in the psalm] all look to all look to you … when you open your hand, they are filled you … when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.the face of the ground.

Innocent Innocent SufferingSuffering

Innocent SufferingInnocent SufferingSuffering as Deserved PunishmentSuffering as Deserved Punishment

The ancient Jews believed that all the adversity they The ancient Jews believed that all the adversity they suffered as a people and individually was a punishment for suffered as a people and individually was a punishment for sin.sin. They often praised God for his mercy in not punishing them as They often praised God for his mercy in not punishing them as

much as they deserved.much as they deserved. Common complaint today: “What did I ever do to deserve Common complaint today: “What did I ever do to deserve

this?”this?” In classical Hinduism, the doctrine of reincarnation allows a In classical Hinduism, the doctrine of reincarnation allows a

belief in perfect justice on earth:belief in perfect justice on earth: There is no innocent suffering.There is no innocent suffering. Everyone’s place in life is a result of their deeds in a previous Everyone’s place in life is a result of their deeds in a previous

life.life. All those who are poor, in lesser castes, or born as animals or All those who are poor, in lesser castes, or born as animals or

less, deserve their fate.less, deserve their fate.

Innocent SufferingInnocent SufferingJob and Innocent SufferingJob and Innocent Suffering

The book of Job attempts to break the Jewish The book of Job attempts to break the Jewish tradition of its day. It insists that sometimes tradition of its day. It insists that sometimes people suffer innocently. people suffer innocently.

Job’s orthodox friends continually appeal to Job Job’s orthodox friends continually appeal to Job to confess his wrongdoing – which they are to confess his wrongdoing – which they are certain is the cause of his loss and suffering – and certain is the cause of his loss and suffering – and to rely on God’s forgiveness. to rely on God’s forgiveness.

Job, with vehemence, anger, frustration, and Job, with vehemence, anger, frustration, and firmness resists them. He insists that he is firmness resists them. He insists that he is innocent.innocent.

Innocent SufferingInnocent SufferingJob and Innocent SufferingJob and Innocent Suffering

Job is finally able to transcend his own suffering and Job is finally able to transcend his own suffering and recognize that the Creator is worthy of his worship (= recognize that the Creator is worthy of his worship (= to ascribe worth) despite Job’s own condition and his to ascribe worth) despite Job’s own condition and his inability to account for his suffering.inability to account for his suffering.

Job also becomes convinced that God is just and will Job also becomes convinced that God is just and will ultimately vindicate him from all charges of sin:ultimately vindicate him from all charges of sin: ““I know that my Redeemer [or Vindicator] lives, I know that my Redeemer [or Vindicator] lives,

and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see from my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another” another” (Job 19:25).(Job 19:25).

Innocent SufferingInnocent SufferingJesus and Innocent SufferingJesus and Innocent Suffering

Jesus also firmly repudiates the view that all Jesus also firmly repudiates the view that all suffering is a just punishment.suffering is a just punishment.

In the In the Parable of The Man Born Blind Parable of The Man Born Blind (John (John 9:2-3), the disciples ask, 9:2-3), the disciples ask, “Rabbi, who “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”was born blind?”

Jesus answers, Jesus answers, “Neither this man nor his “Neither this man nor his parents sinned”parents sinned” His blindness had nothing to do with punishment.His blindness had nothing to do with punishment.


In Luke 13:4, Jesus refers to the death of 18 In Luke 13:4, Jesus refers to the death of 18 people on whom the tower of Siloam fell and people on whom the tower of Siloam fell and bluntly asks bluntly asks “Do you think that they were “Do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you.”living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you.”


In the In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus firmly repudiates the (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus firmly repudiates the view that all suffering is a just punishment and view that all suffering is a just punishment and that prosperity is a mark of righteousness.that prosperity is a mark of righteousness. The fact that the rich man enjoys all the goods and The fact that the rich man enjoys all the goods and

comforts of this life does comforts of this life does notnot mean he is righteous. mean he is righteous. The fact that Lazarus knows nothing but abject The fact that Lazarus knows nothing but abject

poverty does poverty does notnot mean that Lazarus is unrighteous. mean that Lazarus is unrighteous.

Innocent SufferingInnocent SufferingJesus on God’s JusticeJesus on God’s Justice

Jesus furthermore challenges common views Jesus furthermore challenges common views about justice in the about justice in the Parable of the Laborers Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyardin the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) (Matthew 20:1-16)

The Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus says, is like a The Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus says, is like a landowner who hires laborers for his vineyard landowner who hires laborers for his vineyard throughout the day.throughout the day.

At the end of the day, the landowner gives all At the end of the day, the landowner gives all of his laborers a full days wage.of his laborers a full days wage.

Innocent SufferingInnocent SufferingJesus on God’s JusticeJesus on God’s Justice

Our first reaction to this parable tends to be Our first reaction to this parable tends to be sympathy with the people who work all day.sympathy with the people who work all day. Either they should receive more, or those who have Either they should receive more, or those who have

worked less should be paid less.worked less should be paid less. Simon Weil: the reason they are paid the same is Simon Weil: the reason they are paid the same is

because the landowner does not have any small because the landowner does not have any small change.change. That is: That is: God gives Godself to everyone who hears his God gives Godself to everyone who hears his

call and responds, for that is all that God has to give.call and responds, for that is all that God has to give. God’s justice is actually an act of overwhelming God’s justice is actually an act of overwhelming

generosity, giving us communion with Godself.generosity, giving us communion with Godself.

Justice and Justice and Belief in the Belief in the

Life To ComeLife To Come

Justice and The Life To ComeJustice and The Life To ComeRectifying Injustice in the Life To ComeRectifying Injustice in the Life To Come

Many great thinkers have become convinced there must Many great thinkers have become convinced there must be life after death because of a profound belief in and be life after death because of a profound belief in and love of Justice. love of Justice.

Plato (427-347 B.C.) for example believed that all Plato (427-347 B.C.) for example believed that all injustice must surely be ultimately righted. injustice must surely be ultimately righted. Injustice could surely not persist forever by people evading Injustice could surely not persist forever by people evading

punishment for their evil through dying.punishment for their evil through dying. People who have done good could surely not go People who have done good could surely not go

unrewarded forever (even though they are not moral in unrewarded forever (even though they are not moral in order to receive rewards). order to receive rewards).

This conviction was the main reason Plato believed in This conviction was the main reason Plato believed in life after death. life after death.

Justice and The Life To ComeJustice and The Life To ComeRectifying Injustice in the Life To ComeRectifying Injustice in the Life To Come

A love of justice can also strengthen our own A love of justice can also strengthen our own faith in the life to come, and potentially give faith in the life to come, and potentially give us some relief in the face of innocent us some relief in the face of innocent suffering.suffering.

Justice and The Life To ComeJustice and The Life To ComeThe Challenge of Loving JusticeThe Challenge of Loving Justice

However, loving justice is not easy.However, loving justice is not easy. Jesus taught us: Jesus taught us: “Blessed are those who hunger “Blessed are those who hunger

and thirst for righteousness, for they will be and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” filled” (Matthew 5:6)(Matthew 5:6)

A simple test to determine if we truly love justice:A simple test to determine if we truly love justice: To love justice is to desire with our whole heart (to To love justice is to desire with our whole heart (to

“hunger and thirst”“hunger and thirst”) that the consequences of the ) that the consequences of the wrongs wrongs wewe have done fall fully and wholly on have done fall fully and wholly on ourselvesourselves, and , and notnot on anyone else. on anyone else.

Loving justice thus puts us into a horrible Loving justice thus puts us into a horrible situation: We both want and do not really want situation: We both want and do not really want justice.justice.

Justice and The Life To ComeJustice and The Life To ComeAcceptance of God’s MercyAcceptance of God’s Mercy

This dilemma pushes us to: This dilemma pushes us to: Accept our personal failure before the standard of Accept our personal failure before the standard of

justice.justice. Gratefully accept and receive God’s mercy.Gratefully accept and receive God’s mercy.

If we:If we: try to hunger and thirst for justice (= for try to hunger and thirst for justice (= for

righteousness), and righteousness), and accept the blessedness of God’s mercy, accept the blessedness of God’s mercy,

then the claim of life after death can give us some then the claim of life after death can give us some relief in the face of innocent suffering.relief in the face of innocent suffering.

Almighty Almighty versus versus

Omnipotent Omnipotent GodGod

Almighty Versus OmnipotentAlmighty Versus OmnipotentWe Believe in an Almighty God We Believe in an Almighty God

Christians do not believe God is Christians do not believe God is OmnipotentOmnipotent.. Christians believe God is Christians believe God is AlmightyAlmighty::

The Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God the Father, The Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God the Father, AlmightyAlmighty, maker of heaven and earth,”, maker of heaven and earth,”

The Nicene Creed: “We believe in one God, the The Nicene Creed: “We believe in one God, the Father, the Father, the AlmightyAlmighty, maker of heaven and earth, , maker of heaven and earth, and of all that is, seen and unseen.”and of all that is, seen and unseen.”

AlmightyAlmighty: to have authority over all things.: to have authority over all things. OmnipotentOmnipotent: to be able to do all things.: to be able to do all things.

Almighty Versus OmnipotentAlmighty Versus OmnipotentWe Believe in an Almighty God We Believe in an Almighty God

““Omnipotence” Omnipotence” which means “can do all which means “can do all things,” is a philosophically indefensible things,” is a philosophically indefensible concept, and leads to all sorts of needless concept, and leads to all sorts of needless contradictions and absurdities: contradictions and absurdities: Can God can contradict his own will?Can God can contradict his own will? Can God change the past?Can God change the past? Can God make a circle with four sides?Can God make a circle with four sides?

God has authority over everything (= God has authority over everything (= AlmightyAlmighty), but God cannot do everything.), but God cannot do everything.

The Free Will The Free Will DefenseDefense

The Free Will DefenseThe Free Will DefenseThe Evil Done By OthersThe Evil Done By Others

One understandable cause of evil and suffering is One understandable cause of evil and suffering is the gift of “free will” God has given to human the gift of “free will” God has given to human beings.beings.

In allowing human beings to have the freedom to In allowing human beings to have the freedom to choose to do evil, God must also allow the choose to do evil, God must also allow the possibility of human suffering, including innocent possibility of human suffering, including innocent suffering, because of evil human actions.suffering, because of evil human actions. God cannot do everything. God cannot give everyone God cannot do everything. God cannot give everyone

free will and at the same time guarantee no one shall free will and at the same time guarantee no one shall will to do evil.will to do evil.

The alternative of making people without freedom The alternative of making people without freedom to choose would be to create robots, not human to choose would be to create robots, not human beings.beings.

The Problem of The Problem of Natural EvilNatural Evil

Natural EvilNatural EvilNatural Evil and a Good Creator?Natural Evil and a Good Creator?

The free-will defense does not help with the fact The free-will defense does not help with the fact that a great deal of human suffering comes from that a great deal of human suffering comes from the operations of the natural world, from diseases the operations of the natural world, from diseases and natural catastrophes, from and natural catastrophes, from “natural evil.”“natural evil.”

Is Is “natural evil” “natural evil” compatible with the goodness of compatible with the goodness of God in creating a habitable universe?God in creating a habitable universe? Wouldn’t a good God have created a more felicitous Wouldn’t a good God have created a more felicitous

order in the natural world, so that there was no, or at order in the natural world, so that there was no, or at least not so much suffering from natural evil?least not so much suffering from natural evil?

Natural EvilNatural EvilLessons from the StoicsLessons from the Stoics

In wrestling with such questions, Allen suggests In wrestling with such questions, Allen suggests we may find the teachings of Stoics philosophers we may find the teachings of Stoics philosophers helpful (he quotes extensively from the Greek helpful (he quotes extensively from the Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus, 55 to 135 A.D.)Stoic philosopher Epictetus, 55 to 135 A.D.)

The goodness of the cosmos is not that everything The goodness of the cosmos is not that everything goes according to our will, with each of our goes according to our will, with each of our desires catered for. desires catered for.

Appreciation of the goodness of the cosmos Appreciation of the goodness of the cosmos requires a comprehensive view of the entire order requires a comprehensive view of the entire order of the universe.of the universe.

In that order we are but one item among many in In that order we are but one item among many in a vast interconnected whole.a vast interconnected whole.


In this interconnected universe, we are In this interconnected universe, we are material beings, formed of the clay of the material beings, formed of the clay of the earth, vulnerable to injury, illness, decay, and earth, vulnerable to injury, illness, decay, and death. death.

To realize this is to realize our status, our place To realize this is to realize our status, our place – to realize what we are. It is to come to terms – to realize what we are. It is to come to terms with a hard fact.with a hard fact. It is to melt our egotistic illusion that we are of It is to melt our egotistic illusion that we are of

ourselves immensely significant in the grand ourselves immensely significant in the grand scheme of the material universe.scheme of the material universe.


But when we humbly accept our status as But when we humbly accept our status as transient pieces of matter in a vast transient pieces of matter in a vast interconnected material universe, we interconnected material universe, we paradoxically transcend being merely a piece paradoxically transcend being merely a piece of matter. of matter.

Any degree of humility means that we have Any degree of humility means that we have performed an action that a piece of nonliving performed an action that a piece of nonliving matter or nonhuman living matter does not matter or nonhuman living matter does not perform – and thus we prove ourselves to also perform – and thus we prove ourselves to also be spiritual beings.be spiritual beings.

Natural EvilNatural EvilA More Felicitous World?A More Felicitous World?

The question of whether God could have The question of whether God could have created a more felicitous order in the natural created a more felicitous order in the natural world, so that there is less suffering from world, so that there is less suffering from natural evil, is impossible to resolve:natural evil, is impossible to resolve:

Things in the world are so connected that we Things in the world are so connected that we do not know what consequences the alteration do not know what consequences the alteration of any one factor might have for the rest of the of any one factor might have for the rest of the universe. universe.

Natural EvilNatural EvilExperiencing God’s Love Amid SufferingExperiencing God’s Love Amid Suffering

When as Christians:When as Christians: we have accepted our humble role as material we have accepted our humble role as material

beings in a vast interconnected creation, and beings in a vast interconnected creation, and we are suffering,we are suffering,

we can also say – as Jesus did in the Garden of we can also say – as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane – “Yes, Father” and experience Gethsemane – “Yes, Father” and experience God’s love in the midst of our suffering. God’s love in the midst of our suffering.

Natural EvilNatural EvilExperiencing God’s Love Amid SufferingExperiencing God’s Love Amid Suffering

The French philosopher and Christian mystic The French philosopher and Christian mystic Simone Weil (1909-1943), suffering from Simone Weil (1909-1943), suffering from severe headaches, wrote of such an experience:severe headaches, wrote of such an experience: Christ himself came down and took Christ himself came down and took

possession of me.... I had never foreseen possession of me.... I had never foreseen the possibility of that, of real contact, the possibility of that, of real contact, person to person, here below, between a person to person, here below, between a human being and God.... Moreover, in this human being and God.... Moreover, in this sudden possession of me by Christ, neither sudden possession of me by Christ, neither my senses nor my imagination had any my senses nor my imagination had any part; I only felt in the midst of my suffering part; I only felt in the midst of my suffering the presence of a love.the presence of a love.

Extreme Extreme Human CrueltyHuman Cruelty

Extreme Human CrueltyExtreme Human CrueltyThe The ShoahShoah, The Catastrophe, The Catastrophe

In the In the ShoahShoah = the Catastrophe (1939 – 1945) = the Catastrophe (1939 – 1945) about six million Jews and five million others about six million Jews and five million others were exterminated by the Nazis and their were exterminated by the Nazis and their sympathizers. sympathizers.

The The ShoahShoah of World War II, the genocide of of World War II, the genocide of Armenian people in 1915-16 (plus some in Armenian people in 1915-16 (plus some in 1922-23) in Turkey, the 1994 genocide in 1922-23) in Turkey, the 1994 genocide in Rwanda — can all be attributed to willful Rwanda — can all be attributed to willful human action, to extreme human cruelty.human action, to extreme human cruelty.

Extreme Human CrueltyExtreme Human CrueltyRedeeming the World from EvilRedeeming the World from Evil

As Christians, we believe:As Christians, we believe: God seeks to redeem us from evil.God seeks to redeem us from evil. We are called to bring the Kingdom of God to We are called to bring the Kingdom of God to

creation, and must thus strive to participate in creation, and must thus strive to participate in redeeming the world from evil.redeeming the world from evil.

How can we as Christians act redemptively in How can we as Christians act redemptively in the face of something like the the face of something like the ShoahShoah, the , the Catastrophe?Catastrophe?

Extreme Human CrueltyExtreme Human CrueltyConcept of a “Total Event”Concept of a “Total Event”

The Concept of a The Concept of a “Total Event:”**“Total Event:”** The suffering inflicted on a person is not a complete event.The suffering inflicted on a person is not a complete event. A A complete or total event complete or total event includes a person's response to includes a person's response to

the suffering, and the response of other people.the suffering, and the response of other people. For example:For example:

A person who responds to torture with fear, self-pity, and A person who responds to torture with fear, self-pity, and hatred, and in no other way, makes the total event worse. hatred, and in no other way, makes the total event worse.

A creative response to the torture can bring a redemptive A creative response to the torture can bring a redemptive element into existence.element into existence.

Since the response is part of the total event, it affects Since the response is part of the total event, it affects the meaning and significance of the event.the meaning and significance of the event.

** concept from: Iulia de Beausobre, “Creative Suffering”

Extreme Human CrueltyExtreme Human CrueltyThe “Total Event” of The The “Total Event” of The ShoahShoah

The The ShoahShoah, the Catastrophe, then, is not just an , the Catastrophe, then, is not just an event of 1939 to 1945, an event over and done event of 1939 to 1945, an event over and done with. It includes people’s responses to that event. with. It includes people’s responses to that event.

How we react to it even now affects the meaning How we react to it even now affects the meaning and significance of the event.and significance of the event.

If our response today is one of utter indifference, If our response today is one of utter indifference, then the significance and meaning of the death of then the significance and meaning of the death of the victims differs from what it would be if our the victims differs from what it would be if our response is:response is: Reconciliation with present-day Jews;Reconciliation with present-day Jews; Recognizing in ourselves the seeds of the kind of Recognizing in ourselves the seeds of the kind of

hatred and evil that did such things.hatred and evil that did such things.

Extreme Human CrueltyExtreme Human CrueltyThe “Total Event” of The The “Total Event” of The ShoahShoah

In New York Times, February 12, 1980, under the In New York Times, February 12, 1980, under the headline, headline, “Three Nazis Convicted of Abetting Murder “Three Nazis Convicted of Abetting Murder of 50,000 Jews.”:of 50,000 Jews.”: We read of Ida Greenspan, sent to Auschwitz at the age of We read of Ida Greenspan, sent to Auschwitz at the age of

fourteen in one of the boxcars that the defendants fourteen in one of the boxcars that the defendants supervised, who attended the trial. supervised, who attended the trial.

She said to a reporter afterward that she thought the She said to a reporter afterward that she thought the sentences (six to twelve years) reasonable. In addition, she sentences (six to twelve years) reasonable. In addition, she is quoted as saying:is quoted as saying:

The three of them lived easy lives until now, and The three of them lived easy lives until now, and the sentences don’t really mean much. Perhaps the sentences don’t really mean much. Perhaps reliving all of this was harder for a person like me reliving all of this was harder for a person like me than for them. If I did hate them, that would mean than for them. If I did hate them, that would mean in a way that their inhumanity had won.in a way that their inhumanity had won.

Next Time (April 3):Next Time (April 3):April 3: The Divine April 3: The Divine

Sacrifices.Sacrifices.Topics: The Sacrifice in Creation. Incarnation Topics: The Sacrifice in Creation. Incarnation

as Sacrifice. The Temptations in the as Sacrifice. The Temptations in the Wilderness. The Sacrifice of the Cross.Wilderness. The Sacrifice of the Cross.

Theology for Troubled Believers: A Lenten Journey 2. Suffering Sunday, March 27, 2011 10 to 10:50...

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