Preaching and the problem of evil: a case study in the published sermons of Helmut Thielicke Michael P Calvert BA, MDiv, PhD Student number 22707522 Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Philosophiae Doctum in Practical Theology at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University in cooperation with Greenwich School of Theology Supervisor: Revd Prof Dr D Ben Rees Co-supervisor: Prof Dr FW de Wet May 2014 • NORTH ·WEST UN IVERSITY @ YUNIBESITI YA BOKONE -BOPHIRIMA NOORDWES·UNIVERSITEIT It all starts here POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS ABSTRACT The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the preaching of Helmut Thielicke, the twentieth century German theologian and pastor (b. 1908, d. 1986). More specifically, this thesis will focus upon a selection of Thielicke's translated and published sermons that address the problem of evil and suffering (PES). Arguably, the PES represents the most formidable challenge to Christianity and presents an equally vexing difficulty for contemporary pulpit ministers. Thielicke's faithful preaching ministry, largely situated within the historical period encompassing the rise and fall of the Third Reich and its immediate aftermath, is remarkable for its straightforward treatment of the PES. Thielicke proclaimed the inscripturated Word of God to people in the midst of the horrendous evils and unspeakable atrocities brought about by the War. From his pulpit he boldly addressed the greatest questions raised by his generation concerning the existence of God and the presence of evil and suffering in the world. From the pages of the Word of God, Thielicke offered hope and comfort to the afflicted and pointed them to the Father whose love and mercy could be found in Jesus Christ His beloved Son. With the translation of Thielicke's sermons into English, the benefits of his remarkable preaching ministry are available to a wider audience and his messages that specifically address the PES are readily accessible to contemporary preachers. Given this, the present thesis will attempt to set forth a selection of Thielicke's published sermons on the PES as paradigmatic for contemporary pulpit ministers who must also preach to those who are suffering. The researcher will offer this collection of Thielicke's sermons on the PES as evidence supporting the thesis that he is a worthy model for the construction and delivery of biblical messages that effectively confront the PES and its many intellectual and pastoral challenges that are likewise faced by ministers of the written Word today. Key Words: Preaching, homiletics, the problem of evil, theodicy, defense, suffering, gratuitous evils, free will, divine providence, sin, the image of God, eschatology. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis is offered in the loving memory of my grandfather, the late Rev. William E. Calvert. My grandfather was a bi-vocational Southern Baptist pastor for fifty years. He faithfully served a number of smaller churches in north Alabama while raising a large family and working full time to provide for their needs. While he never had formal theological training beyond the university, he deeply loved the works of Helmut Thielicke. In 1976 I entered the university as a freshman and my grandfather presented me with a copy of Thielicke's sermons on the Lord's Prayer, Our Heavenly Father. Upon reading this volume I was immediately drawn to Thielicke's profound insights into the Word of God, his simple style, and the obvious passion he had for people in need. Upon his death, my grandfather left me his collection of Thielicke's works, including his three-volume systematics and other theological monographs along with several of his sermon collections. Over the many years that I have read through Thielicke's works, I have come to understand my grandfather's love and appreciation for him. Literally every page of every volume that my grandfather left me displays the distinctive mark of his red pencil underlining. My grandfather treasured Thielicke both as a theologian and, especially, as minister of the Word of God. This project is simply an attempt to go a little further than my grandfather was able to go in studying this giant of a Protestant preacher named Thielicke. I pray that this thesis will honor appropriately my grandfather's memory and bring glory to the God whom he loved and served so faithfully and exaltation to the Savior whose Name he boldly proclaimed as humanity's only hope for redemption. I would also like to express my sincere apprec1at10n to Dr. Benjamin Rees of Greenwich School of Theology, UK, and Dr. F. W. De Wet of North-West University, Potchefstroom. This project could never have been completed without their kind and wise assistance. For four years they have patiently guided me though the production of this thesis and I am forever indebted to them. Peg Evans of GST has also been a source of continual encouragement and practical guidance. Her gracious assistance along the way has been most valuable and deeply appreciated. Thank you to each of you for all that you have done to make this study possible. I also give God praise for my dear family. My wife Carol and our three grown children, Benjamin, Joseph, and Brooke, have provided me with endless encouragement and joy. My parents, Perry and Marilyn Calvert, have walked with me and prayed for me through every step in this process. I am eternally grateful for such a wonderful family. Finally, special thanks are in order to Mrs. Emily Mettler. Emily, a retired English professor and member of Christ Presbyterian Church where I serve as pastor, has patiently assisted me with proofreading. Her corrections and suggestions for improvement have made this thesis much better than I could have ever achieved on my own. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1 1.1 THE CENTRAL RESEARCH QUESTION ..............................................4 1.2 THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ........................................................... 5 1.3 THE CENTRAL THEORETICAL ARGUMENT AND METHODOLOGY ....... 6 1.4 CLASSIFICATION OF HEADINGS .................................................... 6 1.5 SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN POINTS 1.1, 1.2, & 1.3 .......................................................................... 8 2.0 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO HELMUT THIELICKE AND HIS CAREER ... 10 2.1 LIFE AND EARLY EXPERIENCES ................................................... 10 2.2 HISTORICAL CONTEXT FOR HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY ..................... 26 2.2.1 The political situation .......................................................... '. ........ 27 2.2.2 The ecclesiological situation ........................................................... 30 2.2.2.1 The Protestant Church and Hitler's ascension to power ......................... 31 2.2.2.2 'Ifae rise of "German Christianity" ..................., ............................... 35 2.2.2.3 The birth of the "Confessing Church" ............................................. 38 2.2.2.4 The Nazi persecution of Confessing Christians ...................................41 2.2.3 The personal situation ................................................................. .44 2.2.3.1 Allied bombing ....................................................................... .45 2.2.3.2 Germany in defeat .....................................................................47 2.3 SIGNIFICANT THEOLOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL WRITINGS ........ 49 2.4 SIGNIFICANT SERMONIC WRITINGS ............................................. 55 2.5 CHAPTER SUMMARY .................................................................. 58 3.0 AN INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING AND THE PROBEM OF EVIL AND SUFFERING ...................................................................................... 60 3.1 THE PROBLEM OF EVIL: THEOLOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................................... 60 3.1.1 Theological considerations .............................................................. 62 3.1.1.1 Thomas Aquinas ........................................................................71 3.1.1.2 Karl Barth .............................................................................. 72 3.1.1.3 G. C. Berkouwer ......................, ................................................. 74 3 .1.1.4 Jurgen Moltmann ......................................................................77 3.1.1.5 Stanley Hauerwas ..................................................................... 79 3 .1.2 Philosophical considerations ............................................................ 81 3.1.3 Christian responses to the PBS ......................................................... 85 iv 3.1.3.1 The free will defense .................................................................. 85 3.1.3.2 The open theology defense ............................................................ 86 3.1.3.3 The compatibilistic theology defense ................................................ 89 3.1.3.4 The greater good defense ............................................................. 90 3.2 THE PROBLEM OF EVIL: PASTORAL AND HOMELITICAL CHALLENGES ...................................................................................................... 95 3.2.1 Introduction: the context and necessity of preaching on the PES ................. 95 3.2.2 The epistemological challenge: the perceived need to explain ..................... 99 3.2.3 The existential challenge: communicating