How Can a Good God Allow Suffering?
April 28, 2024
Introduction:
I. The Problem of Suffering
a. P_hilosophical_
1. If God is all-powerful, then He could end all suffering.
2. If God is good, then He would want to end all suffering.
3. Suffering exists in the world.
4. Therefore, a good, all-powerful God must not exist.
b. P_ersonal_
c. P_roblem_ for all
II. The Christian Perspective on Suffering
a. Human suffering is the
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” – Rom. 5:12
b. God
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” – Genesis 50:20
c. God
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” – 2 Pet. 3:9
d. God
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” – Phil. 2:8
“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death… Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” – Mk 14:34, 36
“Never do we see a man fear death like this man!” – Martin Luther
“This is the horror of one who lived wholly for the Father, who came to be with his Father for a brief interlude before his death and found hell, rather than heaven, open before him.” – William Lane, The Gospel of Mark
“It was so we could see Jesus go to the cross voluntarily, knowing full well what he was about to experience, so that his love for us would be put on display even more.” – Jonathan Edwards
e. God will
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” – Rom. 8:18
“Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory.” – C.S. Lewis
Closing Thoughts: