By Dr. Greg Lanier (Table Talk 2017 Aug.issue)
If we are merely atoms subject to physics and natural selection,
suffering does not exist.
“ONE CANCER IN CHILDREN? What's that about? How dare You?
How dare You create a world in which there is such misery that is not our
fault?” With these bracing words, the comedian Stephen Fry, an outspoken
atheist, voiced a crucial issue for Christians and non-Christians: If God is
all good and all powerful, as the Scriptures claim, then why does He allow good
people to suffer evil? All are confronted with it: a dear friend’s diagnosis
with terminal illness, abuse of a neighbor’s child; terrorist bombings at a
beach café; hurricanes devastating entire islands. When skeptics ask this
question—or when fellow Christians ask, or when you ask—what is a biblically
sound response?
It is essential to distinguish, and carefully engage with,
two parts of the question: the head/intellectual side and the heart/emotional
side. In the moment of suffering, a head-oriented answer—even if doctrinally correct—may not be balm for the anguished soul.
Often the tender response comes first. But that must be grounded in the
intellectual side, so we begin there and will circle back to the emotional
side.
The head/intellectual issue can be rephrased like this: Does
the suffering of good people disprove God? For if He allows such things to
happen, doesn’t that prove that He is not good, is not all-powerful, or is
nonexistent? Four responses should be made.
1, The question assumes there is such a thing as “good” and “evil” to begin with. The person asking the question has decided that one thing/person/event (earthquake, Hitler, terrorism) is “evil” and that something else (a suffering individual) is “good”.
1, The question assumes there is such a thing as “good” and “evil” to begin with. The person asking the question has decided that one thing/person/event (earthquake, Hitler, terrorism) is “evil” and that something else (a suffering individual) is “good”.
But how does the questioner know what is
the “evil” or “good” thing? Not by personal opinion. For one realizes upon
reflection that “evil“ people (Hitler/ISIS/whoever) do not think they
themselves are evil. The fact that anyone can protest evil at all requires a
standard from good and evil outside any single individual or culture, which can
only come from God and which has been revealed to all (Rom.1:19-20;2:13-16)
2. The question presupposes that the suffering of a
“good” person has meaning, Rocks and trees do not suffer. Even “bad” things
happening to creatures is proportional; few rages against God
when a tsunami destroys millions of ants.
The significance of human suffering, however, is intuitive to all and entails
that humans have unique dignity that is being undone by the suffering. Such
dignity can only be conferred by God. If we are merely atoms subject to physics
and natural selection, suffering does not exist.
3. The question assumes that God never has good
reasons for suffering. But according to Scriptures, God does have such reasons,
even if we dislike or do not understand them. Suffering can be due to the
fallen state of creation (Rom 8:19-22) Suffering can be a punishment for sin
(Judg. 2:11-15), though not always (John 9:1-3), God can permit Satan to
inflict it (Job 1-2). It can be used to advance God’s kingdom (1Peter 4:12-19)
and sanctify us (Rom.5:3-5, James I:2-4)
Indeed, the most stunning instance of a bad thing happening to a good
person—the death of Jesus—accomplished the good of salvation (Acts
2;22-24;4:8-12). But sometimes, when facing the most gratuitous and
inexplicable of evils, we can but trust that God’s ways are beyond our own (Rom
11:33-36).
4. Finally, the question requires that there be such a thing as a “good” person, yet Scriptures and life attest that all of us are broken and miserable (Rom 3:10-18). Indeed, another question might be why good things happen to anyone at all, given how bad we are. The skeptic believes the universe operates on the basis of “do good, receive good; do bad, receive bad.” If this view is accurate, why do utterly despicable people prosper? No other worldview can explain this except the biblical one, which reveals the sinfulness of everyone and the benevolence of God toward everyone for His own purposes (Matt. 5:4-5)—unto the final day of judgment, when all will be rectified.
4. Finally, the question requires that there be such a thing as a “good” person, yet Scriptures and life attest that all of us are broken and miserable (Rom 3:10-18). Indeed, another question might be why good things happen to anyone at all, given how bad we are. The skeptic believes the universe operates on the basis of “do good, receive good; do bad, receive bad.” If this view is accurate, why do utterly despicable people prosper? No other worldview can explain this except the biblical one, which reveals the sinfulness of everyone and the benevolence of God toward everyone for His own purposes (Matt. 5:4-5)—unto the final day of judgment, when all will be rectified.
We return, then, to the
heart/emotional issue. When bad things happen, suffering and grief often
confront us with the seeming absence of God in that moment. What do Christians
do? The head/intellectual issue must be dealt with, perhaps when the dark
clouds part. In the darkness, we comfort those who are suffering with the
loving comfort we have received from God (2 Cor. 1:3-7). We grieve with them
(Rom.12:15). We sit in the ashes with them (Job 2:11-13). We bear one another’s
burdens (Gal. 6:2). And most of all, we lovingly point them to Jesus, the one
good person who suffered the greatest of all evils to redeem us, who wipes away
our tears, and who promises a day when this will all be fixed (Rev. 21:4)
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