Mapping the Issue of Suffering and Evil

John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath hardly needs any introduction. It has been met with fervent admiration and fierce criticism ever since it was first published in 1939. It can be just as harrowing as it is heart-warming. Something it cannot do is leave the reader indifferent. As part of our attempt to ‘map’ the question of evil and suffering with the help of literature, this novel powerfully exposes us to the ways people survive ‘natural evils’ (the Dust Bowl – also exacerbated by human careless exploitation of the soil) and the social evils of extreme forms of capitalist and corporate behaviors. As one of the characters, the former preacher Jim Casy, colorfully states: “Here’s me that used to give all my fight against the devil ’cause I figured the devil was the enemy. But they’s somepin worse’n the devil got hold a the country”. In the end, though, for Steinbeck the decisive confrontation between good and evil takes place in everyone’s heart – as he himself declared: “We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the never-ending contest in ourselves of good and evil”. It is not necessary for participants to have read the novels under consideration – a summary and quotations of main passages will be part of the talks.

The Saint Thomas Theological Education Programme 2024-25 offers a series of talks on The Question of Evil and Suffering and The Theology of Healing by our Theologian In Residence, Fr Luigi Gioia. The dates and titles of the talks are available for download. The lectures will be livestreamed on YouTube and video-recorded. If you want to receive weekly updates about the programme please register online.

Saint Thomas Theological Education Program is at the service of those who seek a deeper understanding of faith and want to nourish their worship and their prayer. The teaching is rooted in Scripture, Christian tradition and spirituality. The lecturers are The Rev. Dr. Luigi Gioia, Theologian in Residence, and internationally renowned guest speakers who are committed to making theology accessible to non-specialists. The classes are held on Sundays at 10 AM on the Fifth Floor of the Parish House and are streamed online. Additionally, recordings and handouts are made available for those who cannot attend the live sessions. For more information about our theology program and to receive links for weekly Sunday Theology Talks, please contact Fr. Gioia.

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