The classical formulation of Theodicy
The German philosopher, Gottfried Leibniz coined the term “theodicy” in resolve to the existence of human suffering and evil, yet there is a good and just God. According to Leibniz, theodicy is an attempt to defend or justify the existence of God in the face of suffering and evil by answering three problem areas. Firstly, God is powerful and all good and thus all knowing (Leibniz, 2000) . Secondly, the universe and creation were made by God and exist in a contingent link or relationship with God. Thirdly, why does evil exist in the world with all these attributes of God and His creation? Therefore, because of these attributes, God should eliminate suffering and evil in the world.
Book of Job in addressing theodicy
The book of Job addresses the issue of theodicy. The suffering that Job faces and the evil that visits him are too much for any man to bear. Job suffers a lot while God watches and tells evil not to touch his soul. Does God permit evil in the world? Therefore, the book attempts to vindicate the holiness and justice of God in relation to the existence of evil in the world. Job remains faithful through his suffering and later restored by God (Leibniz, 2000) . Imperatively, the book justifies theodicy in the world by stating that those who are faithful to God in their suffering stand to benefit from the evil.
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My answer to Job
I believe that suffering and evil are bad, and if it is possible that God can limit them for humankind, then it will be good, especially for those that may not have much faith. Evil exists in the world but Job’s suffering as vindictive of God’s justice and holiness cannot be sustained by most people today. I still think that suffering and evil have rewards, but these rewards come at an expensive price for a person in real world.
Reference
Leibniz, G. W. (2000). Theodicy: Essays on the Goodness of God, the Freedom of Man and the Origin of Evil . Wipf and Stock Publishers.
