Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

“Why does the way of the wicked prosper?. . . Why has the land been ruined and laid waste like a desert . . . .?” “Is any suffering like my suffering. . . . ?” Jer. 12:1, 9:12; Lam. 1:12.

More broadly, if God is all-good and all-powerful, why does evil exist? This question poses a central challenge to Christian theism. John C. Peckham’s book, Theodicy of Love: Cosmic Conflict and the Problem of Evil(2018), answers thoughtfully and from Scripture. Here are some key highlights.

God permits evil because He wants his creatures to love Him genuinely and without coercing them. God thus gave His human creatures with the freedom needed to decide their relationship with Him (and much else). God’s respect for their free will constrains his ability to shield them from choices they make - even bad ones by some people that hurt innocent others, e.g., starting war. But this explanation covers only some types of suffering.

Peckham traces other afflictions, including some illnesses and natural disasters, to a “cosmic conflict” between God and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12. These forces are not “flesh and blood.” Id.Our post-Enlightenment society is skeptical about this explanation, but Scripture - as understood through many centuries - supports the idea at least as an indirect cause. E.g., Ro. 8:18-22 (creation subjected to frustration and is “groaning as in the pains of childbirth”). In the ongoing cosmic conflict, these dark forces tempt humans away from the voluntary loving relationship God seeks.

Peckham further explains that in this cosmic conflict, God seeks to show his goodness. Desiring his creatures’ voluntary love, He cannot persuade them of His goodness by sheer power. Instead, He must demonstrate it. Peckham posits that during the trial-like persuasion period, “rules of engagement” (hammered out between God and the dark forces) constrain both sides’ actions. See Job 1:8-12, 2:3-6 (Satan’s limited scope for causing Job to suffer); Matt. 26:36-42 (in Gethsemane, Jesus prays for the “cup” of his suffering to pass “if it is possible”). Jesus's sacrifice decisively demonstrates God’s love and testifies that God has done everything -  within the constraints needed to preserve creaturely freedom of choice – that He can for mitigating evil. Nevertheless, because the cosmic conflict continues, the agreed terms of engagement temporarily (and morally) restrict God from eliminating evil. But in the end, He will finally eradicate it - without compromising his goodness and love. Meantime, God’s commitment to love provides a morally sufficient reason for God’s allowance of evil.

On January 14, 2025, the Reading Circle will discuss Peckham’s book. See me for details on how to participate; you can do this in person or via video conference - even if you’ve not read the book and can’t define theodicy! - Lloyd