The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Theodicy

I would suggest the following as the only possible direction in which to look for a biblical and thus a defensible theodicy: The ultimate end which God decreed he regarded as great enough and glorious enough that it justified to himself both the divine plan itself and the ordained incidental evil arising the foreordained path to his plan's great and glorious end. But is there, indeed, can there be such an end? Yes, indeed there is such an end. Paul can declare: "I consider that our present sufferings (which are ordained of God; the reader is referred to 2 Cor. 11:23-33 and 12:7-10 for a sampling of Paul's sufferings) are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us"; and again: "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (Rom 8:16; 2 Cor 4:17; 1 Cor 2:7). And what is that anticipated and destined end for us? It is this: Someday the elect will be conformed to the image of Christ -- our highest good according to Romans 8:28-29. But our conformity to Christ's likeness is not the "be all and end all" of God's eternal purpose. We have not penetrated God's purpose sufficiently if we conclude that we are the center of God's purpose or that his purpose terminates finally upon us by accomplishing our glorification. Rather, our glorification is only the means to a higher, indeed, the highest end conceivable - "that God's Son [N.B.: not Adam] might be the Firstborn [that is, might occupy the place of higest honor] among many brothers" (Rom. 8:29), and all to the praise of God's glorious grace (Eph. 1:6,10,12,14; 2:7).