The answer to the existential problem of evil through pastoral theology

Master's thesis, theology field

Abstract:

The existential problem of evil is a problem that occurs in an emotional and emotional paradigm and is not philosophical or logical in any way. Therefore, Defense and Theodicy are unable to answer this issue, irrelevant and ineffective. In fact, this problem affects a God-believing person when he feels abandoned and alone with the emergence of evil that has made him helpless and confused, and is on the verge of distrusting the loving and caring God; In this state, man is not waiting for explanation or justification, but he is thirsty for the development of divine love, active presence, caress, attention and care of God. He is looking for a way to improve his relationship with God and repair and restore his damaged love and trust in God. A suffering person constantly asks the God who has promised to take good care of him, why he said goodbye to him and left him alone; Why doesn't he take care of him and allow the wicked to destroy him?

Christian pastoral theology as the theology that has assumed the mission of mediating in expressing divine love and care to all those who need care, and due to its non-rational and non-advocative nature, it has provided answers under the title of "pastoral care" to the existential problem of evil. This theology traces its lineage to Christ and Paul as shepherds of the people and is based on presenting a model of Christ's pastoral life; This means that when people face evil in life, they will feel like shepherdless sheep who are left defenseless and insecure. In this regard, pastoral care has useful ideas and solutions.

Key words: existential problem of evil, pastoral theology, response to the existential problem of evil, pastoral care

Introduction

Pastoral theology to It is a partial title of the Christian narrative theology that has the task of conveying divine love and care to all those in need. It is natural that the issue of evil does not manifest itself in a logical and philosophical issue for these theologies; Because pastoral theology has not taken on the mission of defense. But the problem of evil appears in another form with the name of the pastoral problem of evil in these theologies; This means that when people face evil in life, they will feel like sheep without a shepherd who are left defenseless and insecure. Those who expect care and security from their loving and benevolent God, with the emergence of evil, they are at the threshold of distrust and despair of God.

Since this issue is not a philosophical or logical issue in any way, defense and theodicy are helpless, irrelevant and ineffective in answering. At this time, man needs God's care and shepherding to restore his trust in God. Pastoral theology has useful ideas and solutions in response to this problem according to the example of Jesus Christ. Answers such as reminding God's care and companionship with his servants, portraying God's love, using the language of emotions, active listening, correcting misconceptions about suffering, promoting correct beliefs and behaviors about suffering, remembering the suffering and pain of others, especially elders and saints, maintaining faith and trust in God, ways to answer prayers, emphasizing the ritual of anointing the sick and dying are among the answers of pastoral theology to the problem of evil.

In this dissertation, an attempt will be made to describe and examine the response of this type of theology to the pastoral problem of evil after introducing pastoral theology and the pastoral problem of evil.

The main question of the plan:

What answers does the pastoral theology offer when facing the existential problem of evil?

Sub-questions:

What is the problem of evil and how many types is it divided into?

How does the existential problem of evil differ from the philosophical and logical problem?

What is pastoral theology and what is its mission?

How does pastoral theology deal with the existential problem of evil?

Main hypothesis:

Defence and Theodicy are unable to answer the existential problem of evil, and man needs God's care and shepherding in this matter; As the pastoral theology is looking for.

Sub-hypotheses:

There are several types of evil, each of which requires its own answer;

In the existential problem of evil, man is on the verge of distrust and despair of God;

defensive stances are ineffective in answering the existential problem of evil;

the answer of pastoral theology can be a suitable answer for this type of evil problem.

Presuppositions of the research:

The problem of evil is of three types, and the two logical and philosophical types have their own answers, which in this The thesis will not address them;

The existential problem of evil in the guise of a logical and philosophical problem for pastoral theology does not manifest itself.

Research background:

Given that pastoral theology has not been addressed (or at least very little) in works translated into Persian, as well as the pastoral issue of evil. It is completely new in Persian language research, it can be said that this thesis is completely innovative in terms of choosing the territory and the problem. In this thesis, we intend to examine how pastoral theology confronts the existential problem of evil and find out whether this theology's approach to the problem of evil is effective or not. Adaptation of pastoral theology's answer to the existential problem of evil with what is presented in the Quran and Islamic texts about giving meaning and sympathizing with the suffering and sick.

Importance of research:

The existential problem of evil is a comprehensive problem that includes the majority of human beings. On the other hand, the answer given to this type of problem should have different characteristics than logical and philosophical answers; Because it does not have a defensive or persuasive aspect, but it is the aspect of companionship and sympathy with humans that is taken into consideration. Facing this issue, pastoral theology provides answers and conveys missions to Christian priests who practically accompany and give meaning to the suffering of patients and sufferers in hospitals and the desired places. According to this background and the lack of related works in Persian language, the importance and position of the discussion becomes clear.

The benefit of the research:

As it was mentioned before, the scientific benefits of this research will be manifested in innovation and subsequently in the adaptation of pastoral theology tools with Islamic teachings.

Abstract

Existential problem of evil is emotional sort of problem, which is different from philosophical or logical problem of evil. Therefore, defense or theodicy are not suitable answers for the existential problem of evil. This kind of problem occurs to a believer, when he confronts evil in his own life. In this situation, he feels to be alone & forgotten by his Lover God, and this causes him to distrust God. While suffering, he does not wait for justification, but strongly needs to receive the grace of God, His presence & attention. The suffering man looks for the God who had promised to take care of his servants. He complains why God has forgotten him, why He does not care about his suffering.

Christian pastoral theology as a theology aims to mediate in the love of God for those who are suffering and need attention. This theology, which finds its root in the act of Jesus Christ & Paul, has some answers to the existential problem of evil under the title of 'pastoral care'.