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A theodicy is a defense of God's actions. -The claim is that God has done something wrong. -The claim is that God has done something that does not add up to good or does not add up to justice. -A theodicy is an answer to such a claim. It is a vindication of God's character. It is a demonstration, a defense, that shows that the claim is false.-Romans chapter 9 represents such a defense. -Paul raises a question -has the Word of God failed-, answers the question, and then anticipates a false claim based on a true answer, and then answers that false claim with a defense of God's character.-HE DOES NOT DO THIS OUT OF ACADEMIC INTEREST. This is not just theoretical for Paul.-These are the very questions, and objections, and accusations, that Paul dealt with in his ministry.-And as I look at this theodicy, a couple of things stand out to me at the very outset. One of these I have mentioned many times before, but it bears repeating.