Standing Helpless at the Roar and Surging of the Sea

Abstract

The classical questions of theodicy are regularly brought to the fore by large catastrophes, such as the recent tsunami. The present article reviews a number of responses in early Jewish literature, arguing that a traditional paradigm, based on the idea of retribution and clearly exhibited in deuteronomistic history, lies at the bottom of most – if not all – of these. Today, moralizing as well as apocalyptic readings are rendered meaningless by our evolutionary worldview. Catastrophes are often caused by those very properties of nature that have made the evolution of human life and society possible. We thus need a modified understanding of divine purpose and control. From such a perspective, three gospel texts are discussed: the stilling of the storm, the tower of Siloam and part of Jesus’ eschatological discourse. While trust in God's control in view of natural disasters is difficult to expect, some of these texts may be read against traditional paradigms as invitations to co-operation and common responsibility in relieving human suffering. This is part of the evolution of human life that in the end might help us to find moral, future and even divine purpose.