Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 26:2 (Fall 2022)
Article: The Comfort Of The Cross: Romans 8:31–39 And The Religious Problem Of Evil
Author: Jared Twigg

JMAT 26:2 (Fall 2022) p. 107

The Comfort Of The Cross: Romans 8:31–39 And The Religious Problem Of Evil

Jared Twigg1

Abstract: Romans 8:31–39 reveals a critical part of the biblical answer to the suffering Christian who feels abandoned by God. Although a believer may logically understand God’s all-powerful and all-loving nature, personal suffering can leave the believer feeling as though God does not care. However, when a believer comprehends the depth of God’s love as demonstrated at the cross, he can feel comforted knowing that the God who loves the believer enough to give his own Son will never abandon him. Paul highlights this truth through a combination of compelling rhetorical devices and skillful structuring of the text, notably the often-overlooked chiasm in Romans 8:35–39. These elements of Paul’s writing, when properly understood, allow greater access to the comfort he points to in the cross.

Keywords: Problem of Evil, Romans, Chiastic Structure, Psalm 44, Suffering

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Introduction

Kenneth Boa and Robert Bowman identify what they suggest is the greatest challenge laid against Christianity by unbelievers: “Ask ten non-Christians at random to give two objections to the Christian faith, and very likely nine of them will mention what is known as the problem of evil: How is it that there is evil in the world created by an all-powerful and all-loving God?”2

JMAT 26:2 (Fall 2022) p. 108

The occurrence of inexplicable and seemingly preventable evils appears to disprove the existence of the Christian God by creating a logical quandary that presents an obstacle to faith. This struggle is often viewed as intellectual in nature, a logical problem attempting to affirm two ideas that appear mutually exclusive. Christians, recognizing such biblical doctrines as man’s sin nature and creation’s corruption, may seem impervious to the doubt-fueling power of this “problem of evil.” They possess a very logical answer to a very logically oriented problem. However, the power of the believer’s logical answers appears to wane when the question of suffering becomes personal to him. Though “having all the answers,” a Christian personally experiencing pain and suffering faces tremendous emotional struggles, sometimes resulting in serious questions regarding God’s nature and character.

But why is this so? If there are good explanations for why evil exists—if the biblical answers to the problem of evil a...