An attempt at a theological assessment of classical models of the rationalization of suffering and evil

Krystian Kałuża

Faculty of Theology of the University of Opole

Abstract

The article is aimed at trying to assess the classical models of rationalization of suffering and evil from a theological point of view. The models include: harmonization and aestheticization, ontological dispotentiation, moralization, and pedagogization of evil. The author concludes that none of those models gives a sufficient answer to the painful question: Why does God allow suffering? Nevertheless, each of the above mentioned models includes elements that can be successfully used in contemporary theodical discourse. The existence of evil is not sufficient evidence for the non-existence of God. The way non-believers perceive evil is already determined by their lack of faith. And conversely, believers perceive evil in the light of faith. For Christians the last word of God in the face of evil is Jesus Christ.

Keywords:

evil, suffering, rationalization of evil and suffering, theodicy, freedom