Exploring Suffering through "The Problem of Pain" by C.S. Lewis

Exploring Suffering through “The Problem of Pain” by C.S. Lewis

Posted September 1, 2024

In Book Recommendations, Suffering & Testing

The problem of suffering has perplexed humanity for centuries, often raising profound questions about the nature of God and His relation to human pain. From a biblical perspective, the answer to why a merciful and loving God permits suffering lies deeply rooted in the concept of free will and the nature of divine love.

The Nature of God and Free Will

In Christian theology, God is depicted as both omnipotent and omnibenevolent. He possesses the power to prevent all suffering and is fundamentally good and loving. Yet, suffering persists. To understand this, we must delve into the concept of free will—a gift from God that allows human beings to make genuine choices.

God, in His infinite wisdom and lovingkindness, created mankind with free will. This freedom is not merely an allowance for choices but an integral aspect of what it means to be human. The Bible teaches that God’s creation of humanity in His own image (Genesis 1:27) implies an inherent capacity for self-determination and moral decision-making. This gift of free will is a profound expression of God’s love. By giving humans the ability to choose, God affirms the value of authentic relationships and love.

The Consequences of Free Will

Free will, while a divine gift, also carries significant consequences. The Bible recounts the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where their choice to disobey God introduced sin into the world (Genesis 3). This original act of disobedience brought about a cascade of suffering and moral brokenness, affecting all of creation.

Suffering, therefore, can be viewed as a consequence of human choices. It is not that God desires suffering, but rather that He allows it as a byproduct of the genuine freedom He has bestowed upon humanity. This freedom is crucial because it allows for true love and moral integrity. Without free will, love would be reduced to mere mechanical compliance rather than a conscious, voluntary act.

The Role of Free Will

One of Lewis’s central arguments is that free will is essential to understanding the presence of suffering. He posits that a world in which creatures could freely choose to love and do good would necessarily involve the possibility of choosing evil. In his view, free will is a “greater good” that justifies the existence of suffering. Lewis writes:

“To be free is to be able to do anything. Thus, a man in hell is not free to do anything but evil. Therefore, man must be free to do evil if he is to be free at all” (Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 58).

In essence, Lewis argues that the existence of pain and suffering is a consequence of the freedom God has given to humanity. This freedom allows for genuine love and moral integrity but also opens the door to moral failure and its associated suffering. Too many times, Lewis exhorts, “we regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies but he hopes he’ll never have to use it. Now God, who has made us, knows what we are and that our happiness lies in Him. Yet we will not seek it in Him as long as He leaves us any other resort where it can even plausibly be looked for” (Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 94). We seek to find fulfillment, contentment, and satisfaction in things apart from God that cannot ever fulfill nor satisfy.

God’s Use of the Good and the Bad

In this world, we may observe that this is a simple good that comes from God. We may also note that there is a simple evil that is produced by rebellious men and women. God can use the evil acts of the for His redemptive purposes to produce what Lewis calls as a “complex good.”Consider this portrait of two persons painted by Lewis in Chapter 7, “Human Pain, Continued.” (Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 111). Lewis pens, “A merciful man aims at his neighbor’s good and 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 own knowledge or consent, to product the complex good–so that the first man serves God as a son, and the second man serves God as a tool. For you will carry out God’s purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like a Judas or you serve like a John.”

The Message of Hope

Despite the heavy topic, Lewis offers a message of hope that is central to his work. He emphasizes that suffering is not without purpose and that it can lead to profound spiritual growth and transformation. Lewis assures readers that while suffering is a profound mystery, it is part of a larger divine plan. He suggests that pain can be redemptive and can bring individuals closer to God:

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” (Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 91).

Here, Lewis underscores that suffering has the potential to awaken spiritual awareness and lead individuals to seek a deeper connection with God. Pain, in this view, is not an arbitrary cruelty but a necessary part of the process by which humans come to understand their need for God and their capacity for spiritual growth.

Additionally, Lewis conveys that ultimate redemption and relief from suffering are promised through the Christian hope of resurrection and eternal life. He writes:

“All the world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances” (Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 117). This metaphor highlights that suffering, while real and painful, is but a temporary phase in the grand scheme of eternity. The Christian promise of eternal life provides a hopeful perspective, affirming that suffering will be ultimately redeemed and surpassed by divine justice and mercy.

Free Will is Preserved and Spiritual Growth is Nurtured

C.S. Lewis’s “The Problem of Pain” offers a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of why a merciful and omnipotent God allows suffering. Through his arguments, Lewis demonstrates that pain and suffering are not signs of divine negligence but are integral to a world where free will is preserved and spiritual growth is nurtured. His message of hope provides assurance that suffering is part of a larger divine plan that leads to ultimate redemption and eternal joy. By addressing the problem of pain with both intellectual rigor and heartfelt compassion, Lewis invites readers to understand suffering within the context of God’s greater purposes and promises.

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Kit Mullins