Theodicy refers to attempts to reconcile the existence of evil and suffering in the world with the existence of an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good God. The term “theodicy” was coined by German philosopher Gottfried Leibniz in his 1710 work Essais de Théodicée sur la bonté de Dieu, la liberté de l’homme et l’origine du mal (Essays on the Goodness of God, the Freedom of Man and the Origin of Evil). Theodicy seeks to answer the theological and philosophical problem of evil, which questions how evil and suffering can exist if God is omnipotent, omniscient, and wholly good.
The Bible does not offer a single, neat answer to the problem of evil and suffering. However, it provides several perspectives that can inform a Christian understanding of theodicy. Here are some of the major biblical themes relevant to theodicy:
1. The Fall
The book of Genesis teaches that evil and suffering entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Their decision to eat the forbidden fruit brought sin into creation, marring its original goodness (Genesis 3). The apostle Paul affirms that “sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin” (Romans 5:12). On this view, God’s good creation has been corrupted by human sin; evil is thus the outworking and consequence of humankind’s rebellion against God. This does not fully resolve the philosophical problem of evil, but it provides a biblical diagnosis of evil’s origin and offers insight into why God’s good world contains evil.
2. Freewill
The Bible suggests that God has granted humans freewill and does not determine all human actions. This freewill enables moral responsibility but also opens the door for humans to choose evil. As early Church Father Irenaeus argued, “Man is possessed of free will from the beginning…For God would not have said ‘of every tree of the garden you may freely eat,’ if they had not been endowed with freewill.” (Against Heresies 4.37.1). While protecting human freedom, God permits some human immorality but remains sovereign over it. His ultimate purposes still prevail despite evil. This highlights both moral freedom and divine sovereignty in theodicy.
3. Judgment
The Bible frequently depicts God as a righteous judge who will one day right every wrong and punish evildoers. The prophets warn of coming judgment on injustice (Amos 5:18-24). Jesus speaks of divine judgment in various parables (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). Revelation promises that unrepentant evil will face condemnation (Revelation 20:11-15). Jude urges trust in “the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 1:24). Therefore, while evil continues for now, the Bible promises a final day of reckoning. God will defeat evil forever and create “a new heaven and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:13). This offers hope that justice will ultimately prevail.
4. Redemption
The overarching biblical narrative is one of redemption – God restoring a fallen creation. Against the darkness of evil, the Bible tells of God’s righteous work to save people and the world from sin’s devastation. The cross is the supreme demonstration of redemptive good conquering evil. As Paul writes, “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In the end, God promises to “wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals God’s gracious redemptive mission, defeating evil through Jesus’ sacrificial love. This qualifies simplistic views of God defeating evil through raw power, instead showing that God is opposed to evil but engages it through suffering love for redemption and renewal.
5. Greater Good
The Bible sometimes presents suffering as having a refining effect and bringing about greater good. Romans 5:3-5 describes how “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” James 1:2-4 exhorts, “Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” While avoiding simplistic explanations, these texts suggest God can use suffering to cultivate virtues in people. Romans 8:28 declares, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” This implies that though evil itself is not good, God is able to redeem suffering toward fulfilling His good plans. A complete biblical theodicy incorporates hope in God’s ability to bring redemptive good out of suffering.
6. Mystery
The Bible does not fully resolve or explain the problem of evil. In Job, God permits Job’s suffering, and Job demands an explanation from God. Instead of giving an answer, God responds with a display of His majestic wisdom, saying, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4). The text implies that humans cannot totally comprehend the complexities of God’s wisdom. Paul writes that now “we see only a reflection as in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12). The prophet Isaiah declares, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8). Humility before divine mystery must temper theological explanations of evil. The Bible leaves open aspects of the problem of evil since human knowledge is incomplete.
In summary, the Bible does not present a single, conclusive theodicy. But through its themes of the Fall, freewill, judgment, redemption, potential goods from suffering, and acceptance of mystery in the face of evil, the Bible provides wisdom to sustain faith and hope amid suffering and injustice in a fallen world. It points to the cross as God’s supreme demonstration of redemptive love triumphing over evil for those who trust in Christ.