Suffering and the Problem of Evil
The question of why a merciful God allows suffering is one of the most profound and challenging issues in theology, often referred to as “the problem of evil.” From a biblical perspective, several points can be considered to address this question:
Free Will and the Consequences of Sin
In the Bible, God grants humans free will, the ability to make choices. With this freedom comes the potential for sin, which has introduced suffering into the world. The Book of Genesis describes how the fall of Adam and Eve brought sin and suffering into the human experience (Genesis 3). Therefore, some suffering is a consequence of human actions, not directly caused by God but allowed as a result of human free will.
A Fallen World
The world is not as it was originally created. According to Christian doctrine, the world has been corrupted by sin, which leads to various forms of suffering, including illness, natural disasters, and death. This suffering is seen as a result of the broken state of the world rather than a direct act of God.
Suffering as a Test or Refinement
The Bible does present suffering as a potential test of faith or a means of refining character. For instance, in the Book of Job, Job’s suffering is permitted by God as a test of his faithfulness (Job 1-2). Additionally, in the New Testament, suffering is often seen as a way to develop perseverance, character, and hope.
Romans 5:3-5
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers,b when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
God’s Sovereign Purposes
Some suffering is viewed as part of God’s larger, sovereign plan, which may be beyond human understanding. Isaiah 55:8-9 emphasizes that God’s ways are higher than human ways, suggesting that the reasons for suffering may not always be clear to us.
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Redemptive Suffering
In Christianity, suffering is sometimes seen as redemptive, meaning it can bring about a greater good or lead to spiritual growth. The suffering of Jesus on the cross is the ultimate example of redemptive suffering, where through His suffering, salvation is made available to humanity. See the whole chapter of Isaiah 53. But for now, here are the last two verses of this chapter.
Isaiah 53:11-12
“Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”
and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”
1 Peter 2:24-25
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
God’s Presence in Suffering
The Bible teaches that God is present with those who suffer and offers comfort.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
The New Testament also teaches that God’s Spirit comforts believers in their suffering.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Does Suffering Indicate Testing?
Suffering can sometimes be a test or a trial, as seen in the story of Job and in James 1:2-4, which encourages believers to consider trials as opportunities for growth. However, not all suffering is necessarily a test from God. It can also be a consequence of living in a fallen world or the result of human choices.
The key is to seek God in the midst of suffering, trusting in His goodness and mercy, and asking for wisdom to understand the purpose of the suffering or to endure it faithfully.
The Bottom LineIn summary, the Bible presents suffering as a complex issue that can result from human free will, the fallen state of the world, or as a means of testing and refining one’s faith. While suffering is difficult to endure, it does not necessarily mean that one is being tested by God, but it can serve as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God’s grace and mercy.
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