The Resolution Of Job

[John Ryan]

I have struggling and wrestling with the Book of Job in my head. I am curious how my fellow Catholic brothers and sister interpret the theological insight in the book. What is the final resolution of the book? God does not provide a very satisfactory answer to Job's question, and yet God berates Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar for criticizing Job, saying that he was righteous and spoke the truth. It is fascinating because while it is manifestly about the problem of evil, it does not solve it, and leaves it as something of an open mystery.

 

I am sure there are many more learned than I that could situation that Book of Job within the historical tradition of the Church.

Edited September 28, 2013 by John Ryan

[arfink]

I have struggling and wrestling with the Book of Job in my head. I am curious how my fellow Catholic brothers and sister interpret the theological insight in the book. What is the final resolution of the book? God does not provide a very satisfactory answer to Job's question, and yet God berates Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar for criticizing Job, saying that he was righteous and spoke the truth. It is fascinating because while it is manifestly about the problem of evil, it does not solve it, and leaves it as something of an open mystery.

 

I am sure there are many more learned than I that could situation that Book of Job within the historical tradition of the Church.

 

That is in fact the crux of the Church's understanding of the problem of pain, as it is sometimes known. Ultimately we must believe that God allows pain not as a punishment but for our salvation. His ways of doing this are considered to be, in fact, mysterious.

[John Ryan]

That is in fact the crux of the Church's understanding of the problem of pain, as it is sometimes known. Ultimately we must believe that God allows pain not as a punishment but for our salvation. His ways of doing this are considered to be, in fact, mysterious.

 

Are there any classic Catholic texts on the Book of Job that I should be aware of?

[Catherine Therese]

This might seem a funny answer to your question, but I'm serious. 

If you read, and very carefully, point by point, reflect upon the section on Providence in St. Catherine of Siena's Dialogues, you will find that it very much speaks to the notion of pain as a mystery of God's providence, as indicated by Arfink. 

Definitely a classic, but only indirectly a response to what you're seeking. 
 

If you would like to find classic commentary on the book of Job itself, without specific reference to the problem of evil, but something that looks at all of the themes upon which Job touches, I would recommend beginning by consulting the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, Old Testament Volume VI (Job). This commentary is a compilation of all of the writings of the Church Fathers and is immensely rich in its breadth, and depth. This will really get you reflecting!! 

Because the commentary is broken up verse by verse, I'd obviously recommend focusing on the commentary for Job 39 onwards for the patristic offering on the actual resolution of the Book.