Theodicy (from Greek theos, “god”; dikē, “justice”), is an attempt to explain of why a perfectly good, almighty, and all-knowing God permits evil. The term literally means “justifying God.” It is something that seminary students argue and discuss in clean classrooms for fun. It is something that hospital residents wrestle and struggle with in trauma bays and oncology waiting rooms. It is scary and relevant and elusive.
Yesterday I held a beautiful 36 week old baby in my arms. She was no longer breathing. Her mother and father were crying. Their hopes and dreams for her were dashed. We held her tiny fingers and touched her pink lips. We brushed her little black curls and wrapped her in a pink blanket, made with love for this very occasion by someone who had felt this very pain.
No one asked me to review Augustine's theory or to come to a resolution on the role of free will. Labor and Delivery is not a place for cliches or debates. It is a good place to rest in a God big enough to handle our questions. It is a good time to realize that Jesus knows what it feels like to be confused and overwhelmed by the darkness of death. It is a good opportunity to say "God, I sure hope you will make this right someday."
I do believe; help my unbelief. Mark 9:24 NASB
