The Problem of Problems: Good Job

photo courtesy of Jeff Hathaway

The Book of Job, possibly the oldest in the Bible, not surprisingly deals with the problem of evil - surely the oldest in history. It tells the story of Job, a holy man who, with God's permission, underwent severe tribulations and lost everything he treasured – his children, wealth and health. Job endured and remained devoted, but eventually became angry and challenged God to account for his pain and sufferings. God provided neither an explanation nor justification, rather, in essence asked Job: “who are you to call Me into account?” In the end, Job was humbled and assented to God's will. God then restored Job's health, blessed him with new offspring, doubled the riches he had before the ordeal, and lived for another 140 years before dying a peaceful death.

The Book of Job is an invitation to contemplation. Though it does not directly offer a solution to the "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thessalonians 2:7), it offers profound insights into the problems of life. With eyes of humility, let us look at some of its lessons which are as relevant today as when it was written thousands of years ago:

• "Then Yahweh answered Job out of the storm: Who is this that obscures divine plans with words of ignorance?" (Job 38:1-2) God's rebuke put Job in his place - and we are reminded that God should be doing the questioning, not Job; that the Creator holds the creature answerable, not the other way around. As diocesan priest Fr. Leo Trese states: "an ant has more right to criticize an Einstein than has man with his limited intelligence to question the infinite wisdom of God".
• “I spoke of things I did not understand, too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3) God's wisdom forced Job to realize his ignorance - and we are reminded that on our own, we cannot have all the answers for life's problems; that only through God's grace can we understand life's deepest mysteries. As the Socratic maxim goes – "wisdom is the awareness of ignorance".
• "If only there was an arbiter between us, who could lay his hand upon both of us…" (Job 9:32) Job humbly acknowledged the infinite gap between God and man - and we are reminded of how that gap has been bridged by the God-man, Jesus Christ; that God shared in our pain and sufferings by becoming man and conquered evil by His death and resurrection. As St. Paul wrote: "As there is one God, there is one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus, true man, who gave his life for the redemption of all..." (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

The story of Job is one of patience, humility and faith – virtues essential in dealing with pain and suffering. If we follow Job's example and put these virtues into practice, like him, we too shall be rewarded in the end. 

1. Introduction

2. Mystery of Misery
3. Good Job
4. Of Evil and "Non-things"
5. Free Fallen
6. Non Serviam

The Problem of Problems: Mystery of Misery

photo courtesy of David Bitters

Evil is indeed, a most profound problem; a mystery, the meaning of which we cannot fully understand in this lifetime. To cast some light on the problem of evil, we must consider the following Divine attributes: 

1. God transcends space and time. He sees from an eternal point of view. He knows and wants what is best, not just for one, but for everyone; not only for this life, but also for the afterlife.
2. God is omniscient. To ask “Why does God do this?” or “Why doesn’t God do that?” is tantamount to questioning the judgment of an all-knowing Being.

As finite creatures, there is a limit to our human intellect. Thus, to discern more the nature of evil, we must turn to Divine revelation. Humility brings us to faith and to embrace these beliefs; these beliefs in turn, give us further understanding of this mystery. 

1. Introduction
2. Mystery of Misery
3. Good Job
4. Of Evil and "Non-things"
5. Free Fallen
6. Non Serviam

The Problem of Problems: Introduction

photo courtesy of honikum

Many lives are lost and affected daily due to natural and man-made disasters. Countless hearts are broken and bucket of tears are shed everyday. Where is God amidst all the pain and suffering? The problem of evil, possibly the most serious argument against the existence of God, can be stated simply as follows:

1. An omnibenevolent (all-good) God would not want evil to exist.
2. An omnipotent (all-powerful) God could prevent evil from existing.
3. Evil exist; therefore, an omnibenevolent or omnipotent God does not.

“Everybody Hurts” 

– R.E.M.

Pain and suffering is experienced by everybody, both believers and non-believers alike. The difference is, for atheists, life is just is – pain and suffering is what one should expect in a world without God. On the other hand, the theist, Christians in particular, must reconcile the problem of evil with their belief in a God who is omnibenevolent and omnipotent. In other words, Christians look for meaning and purpose of pain and suffering, while atheists seek neither.

“I maintained that God did not exist. I was also very angry with God for not existing.” 

– C. S. Lewis

Of all the objections against the existence of God, the problem of evil is perhaps the one most rooted in emotion rather than intellect. Pain and suffering are not just theories, but are daily realities. We want to heal our hurts; not dwell on our distresses. 

Peter Kreeft wrote that to ask “if there is a God, then why does evil exist?" is not the same as when philosophers asks “Why?”, but is rather like that of a "little child with tears in its eyes looking up at Daddy and weeping, "Why?"". In other words, the problem of evil, at its core, is not so much a matter of reason as it is of rebellion. 

1. Introduction
2. Mystery of Misery
3. Good Job
4. Of Evil and "Non-things"
5. Free Fallen
6. Non Serviam