THE PROBLEM OF SUFFERING
[To the Editor of the SpEcrierou.] SIR,—It wouldbe hardly reasonable to expect that the columns of the Spectator should be thrown open to a protracted dis- cussion of that oldest and most insoluble of all theological problems, i.e., the origin of evil, whether moral or physical. But if I may be allowed a further word or two in answer to Professor McFadyen's letter in your issue of September 10th. I would say : (1) That I cannot accept his ingenious theory of dualism in the artistry of the Book of Job, whereby. the author only introduces " Satan " in order to disown and discard him, and that by silence only not by outright declaration. (2) That I agree with the Professor in his statement that we must go further back in order to find the real origin of Job's sorrows. The sneer of Satan against Job's righteousness is equally, or even more, a sneer against God Himself. God (he alleges) cannot command man's disinterested love, nor is man capable of loving God purely : " Doth Job serve God for naught ? God, therefore, allows the test to be made, and the saint proves the sincerity of his love and faith. Perhaps here we conic nearer than anywhere else to an interpretation of the mystery Of permitted evil." (3) But to my mind the pivotal point is, not what interpretation we are to put on the Book of .lob, but, how we are to understand the teaching of our Lord Himself. I know, but feel that I cannot concur in, the argu- ment that He was using " language of accommodation " suited to the religious thought of His own times. In such a matter as that of the authorship of a certain psalm that argument, I feel, may be allowed.' But in a crucial question such as this of the nature and origin of evil, including human suffering, I cannot think that He Who came as " a Teacher sent from God " could give His hearers an " obsolescent " (Professor McFadyen's word) and misleading explanation. " This woman whom Satan hath bound " are words too clear and deliberate to be set aside. I may be wrong, but so it seems to me. --
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