...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Pain and Suffering A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. JIM ZABLOSKI SEMI 500- B15 LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BY Donald Clark LYNCHBURG, VA February 3, 2015 Contents Title Page……………………………………………………….1 Table of Contents………………………………………………2 Introduction…………………………………………………….3 History and Beliefs……………………………………………..4 The Logical Consistency and Moral Judgment of God………..5 Conclusion……………………………………………………...9 Bibliography……………………………………………………11 Introduction One of the most frequently asked questions in today’s society is “why do bad things happen to good people?” Why does God allow suffering and evil things to happen? These questions are central to a Christian’s faith. These questions have not gone unexplored in the cannon of Christian philosophy. Job, Augustine, C.S. Lewis, and others have all considered and contributed to an ongoing dialogue surrounding these issues. For some, the stories of personal sufferings, persecution, and martyrdom provide them a rallying point and as well as constant reminders of the pain Christ faced at the cross and what it took to pay the price for sin; while others suggest that suffering are character-building endeavors. One thing is sure: suffering is an important and ever present element of the Christian faith. Pain and suffering are controversial subjects encompassing all aspects of their meaning from whether God allows it?1 Does God bring it about? Who and what are the intended recipients...
Words: 2630 - Pages: 11
...Why Does God Allow Suffering? by David C. Pack ------------------------------------------------- The world is filled with suffering of every kind. Countless millions know little else. Yet God allows it. Why has He not stopped the terrible suffering that afflicts so many? Is there a REASON God has not intervened? Does suffering have a great unseen PURPOSEthat can be understood? Take a long look around the world. Enormous numbers of people are suffering everywhere for every kind of reason. Every day, 200,000 people starve to death—and this is after weeks or months of horrible suffering. Such suffering is not limited to physical pain, but includes psychological and mental anguish of parents often having to watch their children die in their arms. Starvation is so awful that death is actually a blessed relief. Why doesn’t God stop this? Even more people die each day from disease. The very word disease means people are not “at ease.” As you read this article, untold trauma, pain and suffering, due to crippling conditions, infections and disease of every sort, are occurring around the world. Just in Africa, children are orphaned by the millions every year, due to AIDS alone. Why isn’t God intervening? The prophet Daniel spoke of “the TIME OF THE END.” The apostle Peter said, “there shall come in the LAST DAYS scoffers.” Paul said, “In the LAST DAYS perilous times shall come.”… Order Now Now consider poverty, which affects one-third of all people on earth. The lack of...
Words: 4035 - Pages: 17
...for no reason. The problem of evil is a touchstone of any religion. The direct confrontation with evil results in suffering, and thus endless questions about the meaning of life. That is why all religions have to give a proper answer regarding the origin, nature and end of evil (www.comparativreligion.com/evil.html). Many people think these occurrences are evil and why does God allow them to happen. To believe in God is difficult because of all of the evil that he allows. This is because many evils (for example, the suffering of children) seem to serve no justifiable purpose. Therefore, these kinds of evils count against the existence of God. These evils are called gratuitous (or pointless) evils. (http://www.equip.org/articles/addressing-the-problem-of-evil-). The pointless evils that exist show that God may not exist. The different religions of the world justify that a God does exist. Many religions of the world believe that you cannot have good without evil because it helps to keep things balanced. Brihaspati, the guru of the gods says: "All creatures, even gods, are subject to passions. Otherwise the universe, composed as it is of good and evil, could not continue to develop” (www.comparativreligion.com/evil.html). Some religions believe that to exist on earth is evil in it self. These religions believe that everything that a person does is suffering. The Buddha claim: “The Noble...
Words: 1601 - Pages: 7
...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Suffering and Pain in the Christian Life Submitted to Dr. Albert Letting, In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of SEMI 500 B22 Introduction to Seminary Studies by Philip Mion January 22, 2015 Outline……………………………………………………………………………iii Introduction………………………………………………………………………1 C . S . Lewis’ Influential Experiences with Pain and Suffering………………2 The Weight of Pain and Suffering………………………………..……….2 C. S. Lewis’ Theological Foundations on Why God is God?………………….4 Divine Goodness…………………………………………………………6 Human Pain………………………………………………………………8 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………...
Words: 3308 - Pages: 14
...SEMINARY Pain and Suffering in the Christian Experience Submitted to Dr. Andrea H. Adams in partial fulfillment of the requirement for completion of SEMI 500-B27 LUO Introduction to Seminary Studies by Tami Carroll February 22, 2015 Table of Contents Introduction 2 What Causes Humans to Suffer? 2 Pain is Inevitable 2 Humans Seek Personal Pleasure 3 Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen? 4 Free Will 4 God’s Authentic Love 5 The Purpose for Suffering 6 Draws Man to God 6 Repentance 7 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 10 Pain and Suffering in the Christian Experience There are numerous schools of thought in regards to why humans suffer. Christians question why a loving God allows bad things happen to His people. They wonder how sufferings in the life of a Christian can possibly build faith. These ideas will be explored through the life and works of theologian and scholar, C. S. Lewis. Answers will be sought through the examination of Lewis’s personal experiences, his theological studies and his fictional writings. This paper will prove that human pain and suffering is essential in the Christian experience by examining the reasons human suffer, why God does not intervene to prevent suffering, and how pain and suffering might build faith and draw people closer to God. The reality that Christians...
Words: 2955 - Pages: 12
...Does God Exist The question of God’s existence has lingered in the mind of man since the dawn of religion. The simple fact that billions of people consider themselves to have some allegiance to a deity means that this question deserves to be seriously considered. In this paper I will argue for the sake that God does exist and the reasons why. I will include many of the arguments found in our philosophy book and those covered in class as well as other subjects such as human suffering and the reasons God chose to make the world as it is today, also including examples from life and the movies we watched in class. St. Thomas Aquinas had many arguments for the existence of God and one of those was the fifth way. In the argument of the fifth way Aquinas says “The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world. We see that things which lack knowledge, such as natural bodies, act for an end, and this is evident from their acting always, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result. Hence it is plain that they achieve their end, not fortuitously, but designedly. Now whatever lacks knowledge cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is directed by the archer. Therefore, some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God”. Here St. Thomas Aquinas is basically saying that the existence of order and apparent purpose in the universe...
Words: 1494 - Pages: 6
...the subject of an all-powerful and good God with depth. The way they deal with this controversial question is through the concept of suffering and how they can use suffering to explain this question. Not only do they ask questions that common people don’t ask, but they also answer these question through the lens of many types of religion and explanation. They have their opinion and also arguments to both sides of the points they illustrate. They were concerned more with opening every door available and letting the reader decide which path they would like to take as far as investigation or their opinions with the topic. Besides that, it was clear that Ehrman was not in favor of an all-powerful and good God and that suffering proves that while Stackhouse was. Ehrman, a man who previously served the lord but changed his ways, makes the case through suffering that a good, powerful God does not exist. He starts off by saying that God brought Jesus to our world in a point of darkness or sin. (7) Why doesn’t God come into our world again? There had been many tragedies after Christ and we can sure use guidance to help with the new sufferings. Using the fact that God hasn’t visited us again, Ehrman asks if God wants people to suffer. (41) Is there a reason we do suffer, if so then why? Regardless of the reason we are suffering and God is accused of not being all good and not having the power to prevent it because we do. The idea of suffering...
Words: 1977 - Pages: 8
...questioning the existence of God. The main question being “If God truly does exist why does he allow evil to occur, why doesn’t he protect the innocent”. In the dialogue between Athea, Bea and Agnos, Bruce Russell uses the characters to tackle that exact question by focusing on the argument of the problem of Evil. Athea in this dialogue is used as the protagonist in the attack of theism, he lays the foundation of the dialogue by providing the premises on which he believes that God must not exist due to the presence of evil. Bea in this dialogue is considered the protagonist in the defense of theism, he role is to highlight the weakness in the problem of evil argument and furthermore suggesting alternative reasons for the presence of evil despite God’s existence. In this essay I shall summarize the setting of the dialogue between the two main characters, then delve into the arguments that are presented. I shall first highlight Athea’s argument against the presence of God, explaining the structure and conclusion of the problem of evil argument, as this lays the foundation for the whole dialogue. I shall then focus on Bea’s reaction to Athea’s argument, clarifying her perceived weakness of the argument and furthermore pointing out her theories on why the presence of evil exists despite Gods existence. Finally I shall present my opinion on the Problem of evil, illustrating the weakness in the premises and its inadequate consideration of the ways in which God might prevent evil without...
Words: 2222 - Pages: 9
...“Can God Allow Innocent Suffering” Most of us wonder why things happen to us the way they do. We base what happens around our beliefs and values. Some people consider things such as natural disasters or a loved one dying being innocent suffering. This question is debated between whether it can be accepted or there isn’t anything causing or stopping it from happening in the first place. So the question is, can God allow innocent suffering. The Contradictor discusses that there isn’t a God at all. People will do their best to explain why their beliefs are true. In all reality, facts are facts and unless people are able to support their reasons then the facts will always override the opinions. People are always going through something, whether it be personal or happening to many. People do stupid things like school shootings and innocent children suffer. Fires break out and kill an innocent family in the middle of the night. Hurricanes that cover the area of more the three states causes thousands to loose their homes and personal belongings, have no way to get shelter and are starving. Do these people deserve to be put through all of this and later in life to only look at it like it was a tragedy. The question is why people suffer. If there is a God, why would these bad things happen to innocent people. Its obvious that God can do what he wants and if he wants to eliminate it (and why would he not?), then why do people still go through these tragedies? If we are capable of doing...
Words: 874 - Pages: 4
...Northern Baptist Seminary ! ! ! ! ! ! ! God and Job ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! A Research Paper Printed in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course OT 458 Old Testament Theology ! ! ! by James L. Brooks May 27, 2013 ! ! ! !2 ! ! ! Introduction The book of Job is a classic. Many have read this book, especially when seeking answers to suffering. Whenever Christians talk about suffering, more than likely the story of Job will be mentioned and Job’s sayings will be quoted. Although the “Job story” is frequently discussed, there are still many unanswered questions. Where was God? Why did God allow Job to go through all the trials and tribulations? What kind of God is this? Why does God make a deal with Satan? What about Job’s friends and their response to his suffering? These are all questions that will continue to haunt readers after reading the story of Job. This paper will examine the character of God and his parental attributes. No matter what the reader may think, God is ultimately in control. Although God gives Satan the latitude to do what he will with Job, short of killing him, still it is all within the scope of God’s permissive will. The story of Job, although it may be rather simple to read, is complex in theological understanding. The God of Job is inscrutable, but yet he is in control. “The book of Job challenges the principle of retribution: that trouble in life must be a person’s own fault.”1 The prologue is in prose. The epilogue is in poetry. The conclusion...
Words: 5811 - Pages: 24
...2. Briefly summarize the problem of evil and suffering. Cite and reference Chapter 9 in the textbook. “Suffering can come in many forms, but, at some point, everyone will suffer deep pain or loss—it is an unavoidable fact of being human (Sharpe, 2014).” The main problem of evil and suffering is why would a good and just God allow so much evil and suffering in our world. If God loves us so much, why would he let bad things happen to good people? 3. Briefly summarize the Christian worldview’s response to the problem of evil and suffering. Cite and reference the lecture and/or Chapter 9 in the textbook. The Christian worldview’s response to the problem of evil and suffering is best explained through the example of Job. Like Job, suffering will come to a person regardless of their social or righteous status, but God cares about every single person’s suffering. Second, it is okay to ask God questions, but it is not okay for us to blame God for the evil or suffering we are going through, nor question his love. It should be sufficient for us to know that our God knows us, listens to us, loves us, and is with us. Lastly, the Christian worldview explains that although we are suffering and in pain right now, eventually everything will come together and we will be with God, free from any kind of suffering (Sharpe, 2014). 4. Imagine that a close friend has just suffered through a great personal loss (death of a loved one, natural disaster, disease...
Words: 598 - Pages: 3
...existence of God quite as eloquently as C.S Lewis and Sigmund Freud. Dr. Armand Nicholi extensively explores the worldviews of both Lewis and Freud in his novel, The Question of God. He does this by examining both of their life experiences, from childhood to death. Through meaningful moments and various human interactions, Freud and Lewis develop their personal view about the world and the question of God. With these views, both assert their differing ideas on the meaning of life, suffering, and love. Although...
Words: 1469 - Pages: 6
...is, “Why would God allow this to happen?” He says that there is no answer to this question and that he does not know why bad things happen to good people. However, he says that it is not God who is causing the tragedy. He states that we live in an imperfect world where things will happen that are beyond our control. Kushner says that the best way to deal with tragedy is to understand that God did not cause the tragedy and that he is weeping with us. He also states that we must ask ourselves what we can do to get over it and prevent it from happening to anybody else instead of asking ourselves why God would allow it to happen. In the speech, Kushner references the story of Job. The...
Words: 806 - Pages: 4
...GOD’S PLAN FOR SUFFERING A PAPER PRESENTED TO IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BY GOD’S PLAN FOR SUFFERING The Desire for Answers When exploring the major hurdles of the Christian faith, Lee Strobel appointed George Barna to create a survey that inquired of respondents a single question they would ask God if they were guaranteed to receive a response. The leading question asked by those surveyed was, without surprise, “Why is there suffering and pain in our world?” The occurrence of evil – demonstrated through suffering, pain, moral wickedness, and other similar things– signifies a challenging subject for anyone desiring to defend the existence of a true God. For non-believers, suffering and evil present an intimidating blockade to ever recognizing the reality of a God whom is both all-good and all-powerful. This is what William Lane Craig states as being “atheism’s killer argument” . For Christians, the issue of pain and evil has great prospective ability to upset the faith of the most proven saint, particularly when pain lands directly on them or their loved ones. How can a God who declares to be the epitome of love, all-good, and all-powerful allow pain and suffering to, ostensibly, have such power on this earth and affect those who seem innocent or those He calls His children? This issue, for the believer, becomes one of not if a God exists, but what type of God exists. While it is uncertain that an easy answer will ever be found that fulfill...
Words: 4201 - Pages: 17
...there is an all-knowing and all-powerful God, then why would he or her allow for this to transpire? Why would God allow bad things to happen to good people?...
Words: 1111 - Pages: 5
