Apologetics Session 2: The problem of suffering

“Apologetics”????  “…but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence…”  1 Peter 3:15-16a NRSV  defence/answer/case = apologia

Suffering  Philosophical or  Personal  ‘why is this happening (to me)’?  Is there ever an acceptable reason?  Is a good reason enough? What keeps people from believing?

Don’t be like Job’s Comforters  Better to listen than explain  At the time of suffering, don’t attempt a theology of suffering  When someone is suffering, Just be alongside them when you can, and pray for them when you can’t

Don’t be like Job’s Comforters  ‘”We know you’ve lost your child, but we know he’s up in heaven now” – that is a sufficient answer only for someone who hasn’t lost a child.’  Richard Rohr, Job and the Mystery of Suffering

Why do people suffer?  because there is evil in the world  …so why is there evil in the world?

The problem of God and evil 1. God is all-powerful (omnipotent) 2. God is all-knowing (omniscient) 3. God is perfectly loving  but still allows suffering  so one of those must be wrong?

Two kinds of evil  Human evil  violence, murder, hatred, war  Natural evil  earthquakes, disease, wasps

Human Evil  the Freewill Defence  if people are free to choose  sometimes they will choose evil  Which is the greater?  freedom (good)  sin (bad)  Love can only be a choice

Natural Evil  why do earthquakes happen?  are they a result of sin?  is that just the way things have to be?  both the above?  Is Natural Evil a consequence of Human Evil?  What about Supernatural evil?

Does this help?

God suffers too…

video

1. Has anyone said to you that they can’t believe in a God who allows suffering? 2. Job 38:15 says The LORD spoke to Job: “who are you to question my wisdom?” Were you there when I made the world? Have you ever commanded day to dawn? Would this help if a friend asks you why they are suffering? questions

3.Do you think that all suffering is ultimately due to sin (human choice)? 4.Has your own experience of suffering ever made you doubt that God exists or that He loves you? questions

5.Jesus is described as ‘a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief’ (Isaiah 53:3). How does Jesus’ experience of suffering help us to deal with our own suffering? questions

6.Is suffering ultimately for our benefit? Does it make us stronger? Why did God allow Paul’s “thorn in the flesh”? 7.The ultimate end of suffering in this world is in death itself. Have you ever seen death as a positive because it’s an end to suffering? How could you use that in a conversation? questions

8.Revelation 21:4 (NIV) says: 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ God’s New World seems to be without suffering. Does that help us to deal with suffering in this world? questions

9. If someone doesn’t believe in God, is suffering a problem? Shouldn’t they expect to suffer in a world where nature is ‘red in tooth and claw’? Why complain? questions

10. Do Christians shy away from speaking about our experiences of suffering? Are we trying to protect God’s reputation by keeping quiet? questions