Is suffering a theodicy to be solved? Is there justice from God? Is human love the only island of meaning during COVID and crisis?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s one of my final year essays, peer-reviewed and polished up as part of the latest COVID-19 themed issue of Laidlaw College\u2019s Stimulus Journal.<\/a> Come on an adventure through Broadway and the Bible, and see how the book of Job offers better responses to suffering worth reintroducing into the public conversation. I’m indebted to Kirk Patston for the original impetus and encouragement into the world of Hebrew exegesis and Old Testament reception history, and to Geoff Harper for reading an earlier draft of this paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s the abstract:<\/p>\n\n\n\n How can Christians respond faithfully to the disease and suffering our world is currently experiencing? Amidst the chaos of a global pandemic, the creative arts offer a fruitful outlet for us to voice our sorrows, and grapple with different schemas to respond faithfully to God amidst pain and pandemic. In 1956, American poet Archibald MacLeish explored the vexing dilemma of theodicy in J.B., a play written in order to address \u201cquestions too large for you which, nevertheless, will not leave you alone.\u201d Following a survey of the plot and background of J.B., I briefly explore how MacLeish\u2019s portrayal \u2014 particularly the \u201cdeath of God\u201d ending \u2014 coheres and contrasts with the book of Job itself, then suggest some reflections and responses in light of our uncertain and painful times.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n