May 27, 2015
SUFFERING: why doesn’t GOD stop evil?
SUFFERING: why doesn’t GOD stop evil?
• the intellectual problem• the experiential problem
SUFFERING: everybody’s problem
SUFFERING: a Christian response
Suffering is very real – but not ‘natural’
Suffering is very real – but not ‘natural’• It has a moral cause: it’s our fault
Suffering is very real – but not ‘natural’• It has a moral cause: it’s our fault• It serves as a warning: we’ll all die
Suffering is very real – but not ‘natural’• It has a moral cause: it’s our fault• It serves as a warning: we’ll all die• It can’t be simply ‘swept away’
God has experienced and defeated evil
God has experienced and defeated evil
• The uniqueness of the cross
God has experienced and defeated evil
• The uniqueness of the cross• The glorious paradox of the cross
God has experienced and defeated evil
• The uniqueness of the cross• The glorious paradox of the cross• God’s love displayed perfectly
There is an eternal context• There is a broader purpose to suffering
There is an eternal context• There is a broader purpose to suffering• Suffering is ultimately redeemed
Our experience of suffering“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our
conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” (Lewis)
• Look around you• John Bunyan• Eric Irivuzumugabe