Lament for a Son

Theodicy is a branch of theology and philosophy that grapples with the problem of evil and suffering in a world believed to be created by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good God. For readers of Lament for a Son, understanding theodicy provides crucial context for Wolterstorff’s struggle with his son’s death and his faith. In essence, theodicy attempts to reconcile the existence of an omnipotent and benevolent God with the reality of evil and suffering in the world. This question becomes particularly challenging in the face of personal tragedy, such as the loss Wolterstorff experiences in losing his son.

Throughout history, various approaches to theodicy have been proposed. The Free Will Defense argues that God allows evil because He values human free will, which necessarily includes the possibility of choosing wrongly. Soul-Making Theodicy suggests that suffering serves a purpose in developing human character and spiritual growth. The Greater Good Theodicy proposes that God allows some evils because they lead to greater goods that humans might not immediately understand. Skeptical Theism argues that human beings, with their limited understanding, cannot expect to comprehend all of God’s reasons for allowing suffering.

In Lament for a Son, Wolterstorff grapples with these ideas not as abstract philosophical concepts, but as deeply personal questions in the face of overwhelming grief. He doesn’t offer neat solutions or try to explain away the pain of loss. Instead, he wrestles openly with the tension between his faith in a loving God and the reality of profound suffering. Understanding theodicy helps to contextualize Wolterstorff’s spiritual and philosophical struggle. It illuminates the age-old questions he’s grappling with and helps explain why simple answers or platitudes about God’s will are inadequate in the face of such loss.

Theodicy in Lament for a Son is not an academic exercise, but a deeply personal journey of faith seeking understanding in the midst of grief. Wolterstorff’s approach reflects the complexity of theodicy, acknowledging that while faith can provide comfort, it doesn’t necessarily offer easy explanations for why tragedy occurs.