Covid-19 and Theodicy: A Theological and Philosophical Response

Abstract

Since the first diagnosis of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, in 2019, the novel disease spread globally and caused the World Health Organization to declare it a global pandemic in March 2020. The stigma and, more so, the fatality rate caused harmful effects on public mental health. For instance, it caused anxiety, depression, trauma, grief over the loss of life, and catastrophic impoverishment from the substantial financial costs of treating COVID-19 patients. One curious question posed by local radio listeners on a Sunday morning program is whether God enjoys seeing people suffering from COVID-19. The daunting paradox is the depth of human pain and suffering in the presence of a loving and powerful God who allows suffering and pain. This paper examines the question of theodicy in the context of COVID-19 to encourage Christians to cope with the challenge of pain, suffering, and tragedy by anchoring on a sound theological understanding. The paper analyses and evaluates research and philosophical arguments to establish logical consistencies on the question of pain and suffering. The study used the Divine Command Theory, which states that an action is right or wrong because of God’s prescription. This paper concludes that the current philosophical arguments on theodicy may not sufficiently explain the problem of pain and suffering; thus, the biblical discourse is the only source that gives hope and comfort concerning the intense and horrendous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.