As I conclude this series of four articles on the problem of suffering, I want to look at the ways in which God uses suffering in lives of both Christians and non-Christians alike. Over the last 3 articles I have deliberately not dealt much with the emotional side of when we go through pain and suffering in our lives. I have focussed on the philosophical and theological reasons for this happening. But how do we find purpose and comfort in the midst of suffering?
Why does God allow non-Christians to go through suffering?
Have you ever noticed that many people seem to become Christians when they are struggling in life? This is observed in one of my favourite comedies’ I’m Alan Partridge’ when Alan is talking to his Christian PA, Lynne, at a low-point in his career.
Lynne: One can take some strength when you’re at your bleakest moments, if you open yourself up to new.....Alan: Lynne, I’m not coming to your Baptist church, you always get people when they’re down!
Suffering
Posted on March 08, 2010
by Rich Spear
Categories: Free Will, History, Suffering
In recent weeks we have seen the utter devastation that has come about in Haiti with nearly 230,000 people having been estimated to have died as a result of an earthquake. When you consider the million people who have been left homeless and destitute as well, it causes deep emotion and a very real sense of concern to rise up in us. We are left asking again why such a terrible disaster could happen, and perhaps why God could allow such a disaster to happen? Many have been quick to speak up and give their opinion. The ‘New Atheists’ such as Richard Dawkins have seen this as further evidence that God does not exist, that it is just ‘the blind happenings of nature’. However, as we saw in the first article there are major problems with this perspective. Just because you can give a geological explanation for an event does not mean that there is no law giver behind these events. This is a basic philosophical category mistake.
Posted on March 01, 2010
by Rich Spear
Categories: Faith, Free Will, Suffering
In the first article I was looking at if it was possible for a good all-powerful God to allow suffering to exist within our world, or whether the very existence of suffering proved that there is in fact no God at all. I came to the conclusion that in order to define suffering and evil in a meaningful way, the existence of God was necessary. In this article, we will look at the causes of suffering in our world, particularly focussing on the issue of ‘personal evil’. What I mean by this is the kind of suffering that comes about as a result of individuals or groups making decisions that have an impact on others. This includes a very broad range of things from mass evil such as the Holocaust, and 9/11 to everyday decisions.
The necessity of free will
Posted on February 10, 2010
by Rich Spear
Categories: Faith, Character of God, Suffering
For anyone who watches the news on a regular basis it seems like our world has a considerable amount wrong with it; pain and suffering seem to surround us on every side. Broadly speaking we find the roots of suffering in two places; due to the choices of fellow human beings, and natural disasters like that recently experienced in Haiti. We will have much to say on both of these in subsequent articles, but for now I intend to tackle the issue at hand. Does the very existence of suffering lead us to atheism; that is to conclude that there is in fact no God in control of this world that we inhabit?
Whether it has come from an emotional or intellectual source, I'm sure that anyone who has ever given any consideration to world events has felt a strong sense that 'the world is not as it should be'. It somehow seems out of sync with a world that a loving God could have made. This is entirely normal and leads us to question how this could be.
18th century philosopher David Hume spoke for many when he summarised this argument:
Posted on November 26, 2009
by Rich Spear
Categories: Bible, Faith, Free Will, Character of God, History, Jesus, Lifestyle Issues, Morality, Religion, Science, Suffering
If you consider yourself a sceptic about Christianity or a Christian who is looking for honest answers to some of the toughest questions, then this book was quite simply written for you. Tim Keller is a pastor in New York, who has put into writing the kinds of questions that he is asked on a regular basis about Christianity such as ' How can a good God allow suffering?', 'Hasn't science disproved Christianity?' and 'How can a loving God send people to hell?'
Posted on October 26, 2009
by Ruth Preston
Categories: Bible, Lifestyle Issues, Suffering
As humans we are not just complex machines. There is more to us than the sum of the molecules we are made up of. Naturalistic philosophy teaches the opposite, which has from time to time caused confusion when considering persons with a disability. As much of Europe has adopted naturalism as a philosophical position, disabilities have been thought of increasingly like faulty machinery, despite inherent feelings of repulsion at such a concept. However, if one considers humans naturalistically it is difficult to consistently conform to any other notion. Conversely, Christianity sees humans as more than just the physical. As such, physical or mental disability is not self-defining.
What does it mean to be ‘Made in the image of God’?
Posted on August 04, 2009
by Matt Carvel
Categories: Bible, History, Lifestyle Issues, Morality, Suffering
Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. – Titus 2:9-10
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ – Ephesians 6:5
Passages like these may lead someone to the conclusion that the Bible is pro-slavery, and therefore should not be acknowledged or listened to, never mind followed: A book that promotes such an appalling, violent, dehumanizing and often racist concept as slavery has no place in our society.
But to come to this conclusion, that the Bible supports slavery, is quite wrong. These passages do not say this and they need to be understood in their proper context. I want to explain that God and His Word, the Bible, are very much opposed to slavery.
New Testament slavery
Posted on June 26, 2009
by Mark Hosmer
Categories: Free Will, History, Religion, Suffering
In short, yes.
In the beginning God created Man to live in relationship with him. Sin has ruined this relationship and created a barrier between us and God. Throughout history man has sought to bridge this gap through his own efforts, by being 'good' or by abstaining from things in order to please God. This is religion. Most Christians would not class Christianity as a religion for the reason that there are no strict rules we have to follow, Jesus has done everything that is necessary.
Without sin, there would be no need for 'religion' at all. No one would be seeking to find God, as there would be no separation from Him to start with. In this sense, yes, the world would be better without religion.
If we accept the fact that as long as there is sin, there will be religion because of our inbuilt longing for God, we must then look at the second part of the question, regarding war.
Posted on May 28, 2009
by Yohaan Philip
Categories: History, Jesus, Morality, Suffering
An unjust God?
Sadly, because of the gross injustice prevalent in this world, we tend to think that God is an unjust God. How can He be a loving Father and yet allow a child to be abused? There’s something inherent in us that cries out for crimes to be punished, for wrongs to be made right. Anger rises in us when we hear of hideous atrocities committed against innocent victims. And I believe that this is what it means to be created in God’s image (Gen 1:27). God hates injustice with a greater passion than you and I can ever do. A study of the book of Amos in the Bible would reveal to you how angry God is that His people are mocking the judicial system. It is a terrible thing to come across God’s mighty wrath. For now, we look briefly at what the Bible says about justice.
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— He did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Rom 3:25-26)
Posted on April 29, 2009
by Cat Cotton
Categories: Bible, Character of God, Suffering
This is a question made popular by YouTube videos, which dismiss the existence of God as they claim He doesn’t heal amputees. Their logic is as follows:
1) The Bible says God heals
2) Amputees don’t get healed
3) Therefore the Bible isn’t true
In my opening I would like to make it very clear that I believe God does heal amputees. In fact, there is even a man in the Bible that Jesus heals after his ear has been chopped off. (Matt 26:51-54)
As to why God does not heal everyone in this life, including obviously some amputees is a different question. Christians believe that they are in a stage between the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus (2000 years ago) and his returning again to bring his work into completion, to make the earth and all that is in it renewed.