For the Christian, there is suffering. For the non-Christian there is suffering as well. Our beliefs (or unbelief) cannot change the fact that there is pain and suffering in this world. But what of our God? If God is all good and all powerful, like I as a Christian believe, then why is there suffering and pain in the world?
This is a question that many atheists pose and often use as the reason for their philosophy in life. At first glance it proves that the Christian God is not real because since there is pain, God cannot be both all good and all powerful. The atheist would claim that since there is pain, then God shows he is either not good, or not able, thus disproving the Christian God’s existence. It is also a question that many Christians pose that can cause doubt in who their God is because of the same reasons that many atheists will point to. It is a great question to delve into because it is a legitimate one but it is also one that has been given a more than satisfactory answer to. Even though an answer is given, it still is difficult to wrap our minds around it. At the same time, when we are experiencing pain and suffering, the last thing we want to hear is an expository on why our good God allows pain and suffering.
If you are currently experiencing pain (and to some extent we all are), this will not provide the comfort that you are looking for; but hopefully it will help us all better understand the God of the universe and His purposes. Anyways, lets jump right in. C.S. Lewis in his book “The Problem of Pain” does a wonderful job breaking things down. Here is an excerpt from his book that gives a great set up to understanding the existence of suffering,
“In the fallen and partially redeemed universe we may distinguish (1) the simple good descending from God, (2) the simple evil produced by rebellious creatures, and (3) the exploitation of that evil by God for His redemptive purpose, which produces (4) the complex good to which accepted suffering and repented sin contribute. […] A merciful man aims at his neighbor’s good as so does ‘God’s’ will, consciously co-operating with ‘the simple good’. A cruel man oppresses his neighbor and so does simple evil. But in doing such evil he is used by God, without his knowledge or consent, to produce the complex good — so that the first man serves God as a son, and the second as a tool. For you will certainly carry out God’s purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John”
Looking at this excerpt we must understand that God is sovereign (in control). He is able to use things that are both good and evil for his purposes. The simple good that is descended from God includes mans ability to choose. We were given the choice to obey God or not to obey God. Looking at our world today mankind has chosen to disobey God. The choice that God gives us is intrinsically good; however, because we are given that choice, we as man have rebelled against God and as a result produced evil.
Now the evil itself is not the pain and suffering. The pain and suffering is a result of the consequences of evil. But God, has put himself into the center of that suffering in order to redeem man but man must choose to be redeemed or else he continues doing evil. The savior is there because God knows the extent of our suffering, and the horrific nature of our evil and how we are enslaved to it, his goodness is why Jesus is here. Jesus himself suffered for our sake. He took on the wrath of God so we could be reclaimed by God as righteous. God uses both evil and suffering in order to carry out his goodness with his perfect wisdom.
God’s wisdom is the last thing I want to touch on. We as humans have finite wisdom. God’s wisdom is infinite. He knows everything and it is all at the forefront of his mind. Many of the things God understands are things that we do not. I think a full understanding of goodness and evil is included in that. I heard a great quote recently from a woman named Rachel Barkey who was dying from cancer. As she was speaking to a congregation she said “God allows in his wisdom what he could easily prevent with his power.” God is powerful enough to rid the world of suffering and pain. Instead God has chosen to use suffering and pain to bring more people to a relationship with himself and that is the greatest good.
Mike
Excerpt from C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain. 1940
Rachel Barkey quote is from her speech entitled “death is not dying”. It can be found here http://deathisnotdying.com/.
