Theodicy

The word theodicy was coined by the 17^th century German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz. It describes the process of seeking to logically vindicate the goodness, power, and justice of God in spite of the fact that he created a world in which evil exists.

The Bible nowhere offers humanity a true theodicy. However, Revelation offers insight into the problem. According to the text, God has made an escape for human beings in the midst of this evil world. Escape from the power of evil is provided through the loving grace and forgiveness of God which, in turn, is provided for by his eternal plan of salvation that culminated in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The theodicy of Revelation approaches its climax in 12:1 – 14:20 as it sets its focus upon the Lamb of God and the crushing defeat of evil. Following his defeat, Satan turns to wage war on the messianic community on earth. Disciples conquer the same way Jesus conquered: by faithfully testifying to God’s plan even if it requires death.

The final judgment scene of Revelation 20:11-15 serves as a fitting closing statement about God’s authority over evil, a final dropping of the curtain. In this section John also brings his theodicy to a conclusion. Evil is finally and permanently destroyed, God is vindicated, and those who choose to serve him are declared victorious.

Revelation offers a hope like no other New Testament writing. God is in control of history guiding it to a predetermined conclusion. Human beings of all ages are commanded to reject the values of their culture, to trust God, and to obey God as he works his redemptive plan out in history. Such loyalty to God may cost disciples their lives; however, the resurrection assures us that even though we may be martyred in this world we are still more than conquerors.

This theodicy may not satisfy everyone but it is the biblical answer to the problem of evil. Jesus has conquered and now reigns. To conquer with him we must give up being earth dwellers and, instead, become loyal citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven—no matter the consequences.

 

The Timeless One Speaks in Time about Time

The term eschatology comes from two Greek words: (1) eschatos, last, and (2) logos, speech, word, or discussion. Eschatology then is a discussion of the last things or the final age of human history. It is also a mindset, a way of looking at time.

Obviously it is difficult for those of us who have never known anything but time to speak the language of the One who lives beyond time. And yet the Timeless One entered into time to teach us something about time. It behooves us to make a sincere effort to embrace His teaching about time.

Theories abound on how we should properly interpret the New Testament’s presentation of the end of time (the eschaton). C. H. Dodd proposed a useful conceptualization of the end of time that he called Realized Eschatology. According to his proposal, since the end of the world has already been announced by God then the end of time has already been “realized.” Most reject this terminology (if not his idea outright) because it can be misinterpreted to mean that the end of time has already been realized—the end of the world has already occurred.

Oscar Cullman proposed a more useful term for (and a more coherent explanation of) the end of time. He argued that we should see things in terms of Inaugurated Eschatology. God has announced the end of the world; however, we should see that not as the realization of the end of time but the inauguration of the end. In other words, the beginning of the end has arrived but the end of the end has not.

Clearly God has established events and experiences that are to help us experience the “end of time” in the here and now. In the Lord’s Supper, for example, we celebrate our salvation now, we feast now, we experience forgiveness now and yet, simultaneously, we anticipate that Great Banquet at which the full realization of all these things will take place. In-time judgments (e.g., the destruction of Jerusalem) are also in-time events that carry with them end-of-the-world significance.

The importance of this discussion is in how we view our lives in relation to the end of time. Are we living in this present age? Or are we living the future now?