WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT FEELING BAD: TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF SUFFERING IN INTERNATIONAL SETTINGS JOHN C. THOMAS, PH.D., PH.D. Presentation for AACC World Conference 2011 Thomas, J. C., & Habermas, G. (2008). What’s good about feeling bad: Finding purpose and a path through your pain. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale. HANDOUT:

Objectives Examine principles from the trauma literature that provides insights into why we struggle with adversity Inspect biblical passages that address suffering to cull out a theology of suffering Provide a holistic process to help clients deal with the psychological and spiritual issues surrounding suffering

The Realities of Suffering Reality 1: Suffering is universal

Universal: Global Suffering Natural disasters have occurred throughout the globe ~half the world is living in poverty between 15% of women in Japan & 70% of women in Ethiopia & Peru reported physical &/or sexual violence by an intimate partner between 0.3–11.5% of women reported experiencing sexual violence by a non-partner the first sexual experience for many women was reported as forced – 24% in rural Peru, 28% in Tanzania, 30% in rural Bangladesh, and 40% in South Africa

Universal: Global Suffering (cont) Africa is the leading country in the world for those with HIV; 60% of the population A huge gap between the burden of mental disorders in the world and the available resources: 28% of countries lacking a specific budget for mental health of those countries that do report mental health expenditure 36% spend less than 1% of their total health budget in this field.

Universal: Global Suffering (cont) After drug dealing, trafficking is tied with the illegal arms trade as the 2nd largest criminal industry Between 4 to 27 million individuals, with between 1 & 2 million trafficked internationally each year The U.S. Department of State (2007) estimates the number of people being annually trafficked across international borders ~ 800,000, 80% are believed to be women and girls million victims of forced labor and sexual exploitation worldwide: 43% for the purposes of sex, 32% for labor, & 25% for a mixture of both or undetermined reasons.

Severe TraumasWorld Level Five (severest Suffering) Nations U.S. Child Deaths (Under-age-5)10,530,830 5,618,875 51,331 Pollution-related Deaths5,030,203 1,757,783 43,100 HIV Prevalence32,446,568 14,046,547 1,200,863 Homicides302,093 20,401 16,517 Hunger (Nutrition deprived)743,915, ,823,190NA Natural Disaster (Deaths & homeless)3,381,851 1,024,098 13,042 Refugees (out-migration) 12,757,786 8,932,361 4,212 Internally Displaced Persons 25,297,883 18,201,852NA Civil war deaths 103,437 61,4770 Suicides 576,133 13,6419,138 Total Estimated Severe Traumas 833,765,759156,486,584 1,329,065 Total Population 6,595,955, ,791, ,641,087 Ratio of Severe Traumas to Population Indicators of Severe Traumas from official Statistics for World, for Level Five Countries and United States* *World statistics were based upon 123 countries, which included 96.7% of the world population. Both world and United States statistics were obtained from the 2010 UNDP Human Development Report. All indicator statistics in this table are population totals rather than rates or percentages. Anderson (2011).

The Realities of Suffering Reality 1: Suffering is universal Reality 2: Suffering is painful Reality 3: Suffering is personal Reality 4: Suffering is unnerving Reality 5: Suffering is mysterious Reality 6: Suffering is biblical

The Pain of Suffering How do most Americans view suffering? How does a American view of suffering differ from that of a others who live in other parts of the world?

Culture and Suffering Culture is a major factor in how people perceive and interpret suffering Next slides shows five major cultural categories that bear upon the experience of pain & suffering

PROBLEM 1: Selecting a principal mode of HUMAN ACTIVITY RANGE OF SOLUTIONS: Being Being-in-Becoming Doing PROBLEM 2: RELATIONSHIPS of human beings TO EACH OTHER RANGE OF SOLUTIONS: Collateral Lineal Individual PROBLEM 3: Determining the primary TEMPORAL FOCUS OF LIFE RANGE OF SOLUTIONS: Present Past Future PROBLEM 4: RELATIONSHIPS of human beings TO NATURE RANGE OF SOLUTIONS: Be Subject to It Live in Harmony with It Master It PROBLEM 5: Prevailing ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN NATURE RANGE OF SOLUTIONS: Mixture of Good & Evil Evil Neutral/Good

PHILOSOPHY/ RELIGION VIEW OF EVIL & SUFFERING DEALING WITH SUFFERING VIEW OF GOD Atheistic & Naturalistic Due to Natural Law Non-Existent/ Science is god PantheismAn Illusion God is Nature Eastern: Buddhism Eastern: Hinduism Judaism Normal in Life / Seeking Pleasure No Real Belief in a Personal God No Meaning/ If Possible Find It No Inherent Meaning Extricate Self/ Enlightenment Extension of Free Will/ From Past Karma; Reach Moksha Varies/ Ultimate Reality Eastern: Taoism Islam Varies/ Tao is Ultimate Reality Balance between Good & Bad Find Harmony Submitting to the Will of Allah Asking Why is Not Submitting Transcendent, Unknowable, Close to People God Allows it OR it is unjustified Exists until Messiah comes All-Powerful, Knowing, Personal

Conceptualization of Suffering Anderson (2011).

Universal Myths about Suffering Philosophical Myths: A God of love would not allow suffering Christian Myths: Spiritual people don’t suffer: Lack of faith or sinning Reading the Bible solves the problem God owes us

Universal Myths (cont) Psychological Myths: You can handle it alone A sign that someone did something wrong Pain and suffering are of no value

Christian Theology of Suffering Everyone will suffer All suffering has meaning Multiple sources: A broken & fallen world Supernatural causes People’s choices Our choices No all-inclusive answer

Christian Theology of Suffering (cont) God is not obligated to give us a reason God knows our pain and is with us when we suffer God is always at work God can redeem suffering There is an end to all suffering for the believer

Universal Human Beliefs about Suffering Key Belief 1: I deserve ease and comfort in life Key Belief 2: I deserve a predictable world Key Belief 3: I deserve a fair world

The Purposes of Suffering The Inward Direction The Forward Direction The Outward Direction The Upward Direction

DIRECTIONINWARDFORWARDOUTWARDUPWARD PURPOSES Purify FaithMature UsTo Build His Kingdom See His True Character Humble HeartMake Us Like Christ A Strong & Caring Church Prepare Us for a Blessing Test FaithfulnessPersonalize Faith To Minister through Us Give Believer’s Dying Grace Well-Behaved Children Reward Us Glorify God The Purposes of Suffering: Overview

Inward Purposes of Suffering A Purified Faith (1 Pt. 1:6-7) 6 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

Inward Purposes of Suffering (2) A Humble Heart (2 Cor. 12:7-10) 7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me… 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Inward Purposes of Suffering(3) Test Our Faithfulness (Job 1-2) 8 “Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” 9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” (Job 1:8-12)

Inward Purposes of Suffering (4) Well-Behaved Children (Hb. 12:5-6) 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

Forward Purposes of Suffering To Mature Us (Js. 1:2-4) “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” To Be Christ-like (Ro. 8:29-29) 28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Forward Purposes of Suffering (2) A Personalized Faith (Job 42:5) 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You…”

Outward Purposes of Suffering To Build His Kingdom ( Phil. 1:12-13) 12 “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;”

Outward Purposes of Suffering (2) A Strong and Caring Church (1 Cor. 12:25-26) 25 “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

Outward Purposes of Suffering (3) To Minister through Us ( 2 Cor. 1:3-7) 3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.”

Upward Purposes of Suffering See His True Character (Job 42:1-6) 1 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

Upward Purposes of Suffering (2) Prepare Us for a Blessing ( Job 42:10-17) 10 And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. 12 Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning… 13 He also had 7 sons and 3 daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren- Happuch. 15 In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived 140 years, and saw his children and grandchildren for 4 generations. 17 So Job died, old and full of days.

Upward Purposes of Suffering (3) Give Believers Dying Grace ( Phil. 1:20-21) 20 “according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Reward Those Who Endure (Js. 1:12) “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Upward Purposes of Suffering(4) To Glorify God (Jn. 9:1-4) 1 “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”

The Pathway through Suffering Probe Your Beliefs about Suffering; look for misconceptions Assign Your Suffering to God Apply a Plan of Recovery Redeem Your Suffering

Pathway: Assign Your Suffering Release Your Feelings to God Get real Understand the truth about feelings Review the Nature of Your Suffering Examine why you are suffering Examine yourself

Pathway: Assign Your Suffering (2) Recognize the Ways God Works to Accomplish His Plan God is unchanging God is untamable God is mysterious

Pathway: Assign Your Suffering (3) Reaffirm Your Desire to Know God Do you long to know God? Do you really know God? Reassess Your Dependency & Trust in God What is my real God? How can I trust God?

Pathway: Assign Your Suffering (4) Relinquish Your Destiny into God’s Trustworthy Hands Get to know God Accept what happens as God’s way of growing you Focus on your response rather than the cause of it Focus on God’s presence A willful decision to trust

Pathway: Assign Your Suffering (5) Rejoice in How God May Use Your Suffering

Pathway: Apply a Plan Purpose your heart Accept Reality Decide to grow Communication with God Use your support system Change your perspective

Pathway: Apply a Plan (2) Examine your attitude Have a grateful attitude Have a teachable attitude Maintain a sense of humor Let heavenly rewards motivate you be Change your emotions The problem with feelings How sufferers experience emotions

Pathway: Apply a Plan (3) Change thinking: Avoid Minimizing Magnifying Examine expectations A realistic outlook A biblical outlook Have a proper life perspective

Pathway: Redeem Your Suffering Prevent undue stress Surrender protection and be open to others

Ministry A ministry of presence An empathic ear Be aware of your attitude Attitude of love & acceptance Accept what happened & the person’s response Seek to instill hope Pray Be practical Stay in contact Train internationals to help

Need to Train Helpers Worldwide Theology of suffering Recognize trauma Impact of war, genocide, trafficking, rape, natural disasters, & treatment of women Skills to intervene How to use community to heal Understand secondary trauma

Anderson, R. (2011). World suffering – conceptualization, measurement, and findings. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Public Opinion Research in Phoenix, AZ, May 13, 2011 Pilch, J. J. (1991). Introducing the cultural context of the Old Testament. New York, NY: Paulist Press. "Session Four: Parenting (Discipline)." Pilch, J.J. (1999). The cultural dictionary of the Bible. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press. Pilch, J. J. (2000). Healing in the New Testament: Insights from medical and Mediterranean anthropology. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress. Pilch, J. J. (1997). The cultural world of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday. Collegeville, MN: Litigural Press. Thomas, J. C., & Habermas, G. (2008). What’s good about feeling bad: Finding purpose and a path through your pain. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale. World Health Assembly (2002) Mental Health: Responding to the Call for Action. Report by the Secretariat A55/18.Geneva:World Health Organization. References