The Problem of Suffering
One of the most common objections to Christianity is the problem of suffering. Many atheists will say that the presence of evil and suffering in the world proves that there cannot be a benevolent god. If God exists and He is good, why doesn’t he prevent evil and suffering. Why does He allow young children to get cancer and die?
The problem of suffering has been reflected upon by the people of God since the time of Adam and Eve. One only needs to read the book of Job to see that this is true. Major Christian theologians like Saint Augustine and Martin Luther have written extensively on this issue. More contemporary theologians like C.S. Lewis have also studied the issue. I claim to hold no new or unique insights into this problem, but I would like to present a few thoughts.
Sometimes it is better to ask the question of what is God trying to accomplish in the midst of suffering, rather than asking why do we suffer. God is using our pain and suffering to shape us into His children. He is teaching us to rely on Him instead of ourselves or other people. When all other helpers fail, we are forced to turn to God and we are forced to trust in Him. This helps us to have faith in His promises and His divine goodness.
And we need to consider that if God stopped every evil thing from happening, and God prevented all suffering, the underlying issue of sin would still remain. The presence of sin in the world creates suffering and evil. The devil also seeks to bring evil into the world and he seeks to afflict pain and evil upon people. Rather than simply stopping every instance of pain and suffering and evil, God instead dealt decisively with sin. His Son Jesus Christ became man and took the sins of the world upon Himself. He carried them to the cross and suffered and died for them. On the third day He rose again showing that sin and the devil have been defeated. True, pain, suffering and evil still exist in the world. But the final outcome has been decided. St. Paul wrote, 31“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[a] against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[b] 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:31-39)
In Christ,
Rev. David L. Putz, Pastor
Holy Cross Lutheran Church (LCMS)
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Good things are happening at Holy Cross! Praise God for that. When we keep Word and Sacrament ministry at the heart of what we do, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is sown. As we share the Word, God gives the growth and we rejoice as humble stewards of the God who changes lives and hearts. Help us always, Lord, to keep Your Word at the center of our life together under your Holy Cross!
Please continue to pray for our congregation and each other. Don’t forget to visit our church website www.holycross-crawfordsville.org to find links for all our services on YouTube.