Why does a 'good' God let 'evil' things happen? Part 3

Navigating Suffering, Theodicy, and the Grace of God

Episode Summary:

In this deep and deeply personal episode, Staci and Elizabeth tackle one of the hardest questions of faith: How do we reconcile an all-loving, all-powerful God with the reality of suffering and evil in the world? Introducing the theological term theodicy ("justifying God"), they discuss why it is not our job to defend or justify God, but rather to let God justify us. Drawing from the heavy, complex story of King David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 12, the conversation shifts to how God works restoration through pain, the profound parallel of Christ's sacrifice, and how Colossians 3 challenges us to put earthly things to death and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

In This Episode We Talk About:

• The Definition of Theodicy: What the term means, its historical roots, and why humans shouldn't try to play the role of defending or justifying God.
• The Story of King David (2 Samuel 12): Examining David’s sin, Nathan's confronting role, the loss of David's child, and where David placed his ultimate hope.
• Suffering vs. Sin: Reassuring listeners that not all suffering is a direct punishment for personal sin, and offering comfort to those walking through dark, painful seasons.
• The Ultimate Parallel: Looking at how God watched His Son, Jesus, bear the sins of the world, contrasting David's loss with Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
• Putting Off the Earthly (Colossians 3): Practical insights on inviting the Holy Spirit to reveal idols, desires, and behaviors that need to be put to death in our own lives.

Key Scriptures Mentioned

• Romans 8:28–30 
• 2 Timothy 
• 2 Samuel 12:10–25 
• Colossians 3:1–6 
• John 3:16 & 3:36 
• Isaiah 53:4–6 

Favorite Quote From This Episode

"Because David's hope was not in the healing of the child. David's hope was in the healer who could heal forever."

Savor Moment:

Invite a friend and make this yummy, easy Mexican Casserole and discuss the idea of Theodicy…https://www.juliapacheco.com/chicken-tortilla-casserole/

Reflection Question

As you read through Colossians 3, are there areas in your life—whether idols, hidden desires, or unhealed pain—that God is asking you to invite the Holy Spirit to examine, and what might it look like to truly surrender them to Him?

References:

• 
  Frank D. Macchia, Jesus the Spirit Baptizer: Christology in Light of Pentecost (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 275.
• 
  Jeremy J. Wynne, Wrath Among the Perfections of God’s Life (New York, NY: T&T Clark, 2013), 202.
• 
  Jim West, “Divine Wrath,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014). 
• 
  Scott Hahn, ed., in Catholic Bible Dictionary (New York; London; Toronto; Sydney; Auckland: Doubleday, 2009), 201–202.
• 
  Elmer A. Martens, “Day of the Lord, God, Christ, The,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), 146, 149.
• 
  Dana M. Harris, “Day of the Lord,” in Dictionary of the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, ed. G. K. Beale et al. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2023), 165

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