How many of us have ever muttered these words, “Why does God allow suffering?” We all have when we see, experience, or witness tragedy. For Christians, though, these questions can be even more acute because we believe and proclaim that at the bright center of the universe, there is a good, loving, and all-powerful God. In fact, there is a classical argument against the very existence of God that goes like this:
Premise 1: If God is all-good, he would not want suffering for his creatures.
Premise 2: If God is all-powerful, he would be able to prevent suffering for his creatures.
Conclusion: The world is full of suffering, so either God is not all-good or is not all-powerful (or he is neither), and since, by definition, God should be both, God does not exist.
As we’ve studied in this series, this argument does not spell the end of the matter in terms of whether God exists or not. However, no honest Christian can deny that there is some degree of persuasive power here. What’s more, no honest Christian can claim that there are easy answers to the issues this argument raises.
Here is what we know: Creation is fallen…All of us as human beings (and all of creation itself) are broken as a result of the fall. God created us with free will…true relationship requires that we not be robots who are pre-programmed by God. God entered into our suffering…God suffers with us through his incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. And we have an ultimate hope…One day, God will do something about it.
What did Jesus say? “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Therein lies our hope in the midst of suffering!
Premise 1: If God is all-good, he would not want suffering for his creatures.
Premise 2: If God is all-powerful, he would be able to prevent suffering for his creatures.
Conclusion: The world is full of suffering, so either God is not all-good or is not all-powerful (or he is neither), and since, by definition, God should be both, God does not exist.
As we’ve studied in this series, this argument does not spell the end of the matter in terms of whether God exists or not. However, no honest Christian can deny that there is some degree of persuasive power here. What’s more, no honest Christian can claim that there are easy answers to the issues this argument raises.
Here is what we know: Creation is fallen…All of us as human beings (and all of creation itself) are broken as a result of the fall. God created us with free will…true relationship requires that we not be robots who are pre-programmed by God. God entered into our suffering…God suffers with us through his incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. And we have an ultimate hope…One day, God will do something about it.
What did Jesus say? “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Therein lies our hope in the midst of suffering!
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