Archives For theodicy

Martin Luther King Goes to War in Afghanistan

Chris —  January 17, 2011

Recently the Huffington Post reported on a Pentagon official who stated that if Martin Luther King were alive today he would support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This is a bold statement, considering King was not a fan of the war of his day, and is best known for his non-violent approach to problem solving.

My immediate reaction is to insulted and explain that MLK was a pacifist, and would never support any war.  The problem is, I don’t know if King would or wouldn’t support a war in Afghanistan. Neither does the Pentagon or the Huffington Post.

King has reached a point of secular sainthood rivaled only by Gandhi, “the historical Jesus” and the founding fathers.  Their ideals have become such a deep part of American folklore that few understand who they were and what they really accomplished. We use their names like some sort of magical incantation to justify our opinions.

We can learn from King’s thoughts on war, but he did not have an opinion on the 21st century war in Afghanistan.  Gandhi did not have an opinion 21st century trends in global warming.  Jesus did not have an opinion on capitalism or Marxist redistribution of wealth.

While it is essential to look to the great thinker and spiritual leaders for wisdom, it dishonors their legacy and credibility attach their name to opinions we have developed on modern cultural issues.

Today as we honor King, let’s remember what he did and who he was.  Remember that he was willing to suffer and die for his dream.

What have you done to honor his dream come?

What would you be willing to suffer to accomplish your dreams?

In Culture , , ,
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Why God Hates You

Chris —  March 9, 2010

What is the What is an engrossing tale that straddles wars, decades and hemispheres.  It follows Achak Deng, a real life Sudanese refugee from his days as a child in southern Sudan to his struggles adjusting to American Life.

The book really has it all:  tragedy, war, love stories and hope.  Dave Eggars narrator captures the voice of African refugees, with their zest for the small things in life and their deep understanding of tragedy.

The book makes it clear that refugee camps don’t go away.  Achak grows up in a refugee camp: a tent city built on a barren desert plain.  With no agriculture and little schooling, and the only economy at the mercy of the foreign aid workers,  there is little to do but wait.

Although Achak seems indomitable, he can’t help but struggle with theodicy.  Having lived through wars only to arrive in the U.S. and experience continued tragedy, he asks the question “does God have a problem with me?”  Neither Achak or Eggars ever answer the question directly, yet the hero never gives up, neither on his faith or his desire to build a better life.

This question is one that we have all asked in our lives, and What is the What is a reminder that there are many who have persevered through much more difficulty than we can imagine.

It is also an invitation for Christ followers to respond from the very core of their faith.  From the time of Abraham, God’s people have been refugees in a world not their own.  God loves them, and has given us the privilege of demonstrating that love.

Have you read What is the What?  How should we respond to stories of orphans and refugees?

In Culture, God , , , , , ,
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A Good Week for Theodicy

Chris —  May 7, 2009

The classic “How could a loving God allow for all the pain in our world?” question is the number one proof for atheism.  I often hear stories of people who have lost their faith over this question.  

This week has included a suspected murder of one of my college classmates, a devastating fire in one of the poorest parts of Austin, and my own personal neverending job search.  You can’t help but asks questions, “Why does God let these things happen?” or even, “What kind of God would let that happen?”

Christian answers tend to fall in one of two categories.  There’s the seemingly blind faith of the Calvinist, “God is sovereign. He has his reasons.”  Then there’s the more ambiguous arguments of Arminians and Open-Theists, “God gave us free will.  These things happen.” Neither of them really make me feel any better.

Theodicy hasn’t driven me from God, but it has for many others.  I wonder how many of those who struggled with these questions felt like they were supposed to have blind faith, and that there was no room in the church for their doubts.

The key is wrestling with it. Ask your questions.  Give God your worst.  If he’s God, if he even exists, he can handle it.

In God , ,
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If I’m Evil, You Made Me This Way

Chris —  March 5, 2009

We are sadly witnessing the last season of the most daring and complicated Space Opera to ever hit the small screen.  Like any good science fiction, Battlestar Gallactica is little more that a thin veneer of sci-fi, used to address complex social issues.  They’ve taken on war, racism, suicide, terrorism, and the threats of theocratic goverments.

Most recently, Battlestar took a bite into the most debated question in all religion: Theodicy.  The evil robot leader John Cavil confronts his designer Ellen.  He has abandoned the innocence and the purpose for which he was created.  He has turned against his creators, and set on a path that could destroy all intelligent life.

His reason?  A desire to become greater, limitless in his power.  A desire to achieve the perfection he believes his unfair creator kept him from attaining.  In many ways, it’s a retelling of the garden.  The created rebels against the creator because of his desire to become greater than the creator.

When his designer calls him out, Ellen responds by saying, “If I’m evil, you made me this way.”  It’s really the great question of all theology: Can a good God be blamed for the evil within his creation?  

Battlestar has posed the question, but has yet to give their answer.  What to you think?

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