Life as a Random Variable March 8, 2010
Posted by Matt in Christian Beliefs.Tags: Christian thought, god, life, providence, random variable, Satan, statistics, theodicy, theology
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Please note that the following blog entry is the product of some of my thoughts from the past day or so and I realize that the ideas presented here may have several holes in them that can’t be covered in just over 400 words.
Life is a series of variables. Some are random occurrences that take place like the roll of a dice and some are dependent upon our actions, which are in turn dependent upon a whole litany of datum from our lives, whether it is education, experience, temperament or others of untold number. Though it may be realistic for us to correctly predict the outcome of individual events or some series of events within a band of error, the quantity of variables becomes so great that it is impossible for us to map out the entirety our lives with any degree of certainty.
I say this because I find myself greatly bothered by the common idea in Christian circles that all things happen according to a plan set forward by an all-powerful God. Once we place the Zoroastrian-influenced concept of a devil in its appropriate mythological place, things become even hairier. The absence of cosmic warfare places the responsibility for evil at our feet and at the divine feet of God. Thus, we must sincerely ask the questions that bother us so without resorting to the pat answers pervading the Christian religion, particularly when it deals with events beyond our control. We look at the random misery around us – from small children dying of cancer to earthquakes decimating some of the poorest regions on earth – and we must ask the simple question, why? If God is truly good and in power of all things upon the earth, why do such events take place?
Maybe there is no plan. Maybe things just happen beyond our control, events which are beyond our ability to stop, and the important thing is how we respond to them. When the die is cast and the random variables of life turn up in a way beyond explanation within the classic paradigm of Christian thought, perhaps we would be better off acknowledging that some things are even outside the realm of God’s providence. This then absolves God of responsibility for evil and instead places the “blame” upon the random statistical fluctuations of an imperfect universe.
Stuff happens and that’s really all there is to it. All we can do is get up, dust ourselves off and move forward, keeping in mind that there is no force in this world more powerful than love. We embrace God and come to the realization that maybe some things are even outside the sphere of divine power. And that, in turn, is okay and perhaps even a bit comforting as we confront the mysteries of life.
“Pat answers” bother me a lot. I’d rather have honest questions.
Good thoughts Matt and Stephanie. These are questions that have no easy answers. I guess I’m ready for God to be a little more in the middle of it, but I know that also makes Him responsible for some tough situations. One question I’m pondering is: Is God all-powerful?
Good question. You might be interested in Rabbi Harold Kushner’s book When Bad Things Happen to Good People because it explores this question, but his answer is disturbing to a lot of people. The book of Job, he says, sets up a big question/problem/dichotomy. If Job is good (and the Bible says he is) and God is all-powerful, then he can’t be loving. If he’s loving, then he can’t be all-powerful. Kushner had (has?) a child suffering from a terrible disease at the time of his writing, and I know he was struggling with this problem personally. He chooses a loving God over an all-powerful one. You might not agree with his take on the subject, but it certainly makes you think. I wonder if his answer (loving) gives him more comfort than the other possibility (powerful).
I’ll have to check that out, Stephanie. It’s a tough question and I’m still not sure how I feel about it.
Matt – do you equate something being outside the power of God with something being outside the providence of God? The presence of evil or of random variables does not necessarily indicate God’s intent or His approval. I am not willing to say that a tornado killing several in Arkansas or an earthquake killing thousands in Haiti is the active finger of God. Could He have prevented them? I believe so, without a doubt. Why doesn’t He do so? That is the million dollar question that we are seldom if ever privy to. Could it be that human, physical life is not God’s highest priority?
For this reason I think Kushner is wrong. God can be all-powerful and loving and still allow suffering in this life.