The Problem of Wickedness

Every now and then, I find that some of my secular reading contains a gem or two that has interesting spiritual connotations. This week, for instance, while I was perusing the May 2008 issue of Harvard Business Review, I came across a very interesting article entitled: Strategy as a Wicked Problem.

Now, I was intrigued by their use of the term "wicked" as that is generally only used in a religious context or as slang.   The following except from the article outlines the definition of a "wicked" problem, as outlined by the author, John C. Camillus.

Wickedness isn’t a degree of difficulty. Wicked issues are different because traditional processes can’t resolve them, according to Horst W.J. Rittel and Melvin M. Webber, professors of design and urban planning at the University of California at Berkeley, who described them in a 1973 article in Policy Sciences magazine. A wicked problem has innumerable causes, is tough to describe, and doesn’t have a right answer, as we will see in the next section. Environmental degradation, terrorism, and poverty—these are classic examples of wicked problems. They’re the opposite of hard but ordinary problems, which people can solve in a finite time period by applying standard techniques. Not only do conventional processes fail to tackle wicked problems, but they may exacerbate situations by generating undesirable consequences.

It seems to me that this is a very apt description of wickedness in a spiritual context as well, and it brought to light the complexity of dealing with the problem of sin.   Too often, we look at the sin problem as though it should have been very easy to avoid, given God's knowledge of events past, present and future.  And there is a corresponding tendency to look at the plan of Salvation as outlined in the scriptures as being far too convoluted to be of any use or reasonableness.

Yet, as this article points out, mankind is learning that there are problems whose solution is not simple and concise, but complicated and verbose.  These solutions require a significant investment of time, energy and dedication.

As we look at the plan that required the Son of God to live a perfect life, then die (try to wrap your head around that one) for the sins of everyone, you have to wonder just how complicated this whole sin thing is.   We are told that it will be something that we study and learn more about throughout eternity.

Not every problem is simple.  Not every solution can be thrown together hastily.

Some issues are simply wicked.

Thankfully, God is able to deal with even these issues.

Share Post: