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Foundations of Faith |
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· Why Should I Have Faith When Evil And Suffering Are In The World? |
Why Should I Have Faith,
When There Is Evil And Suffering In The World?
Introduction
1. Some believe they have found a defect within Theism: It is argued that the existence of an all-loving and all-powerful God is incompatible with the reality of evil and suffering in the world.
2. Admittedly, this argument is not easily refuted. And so it is properly called “The Problem Of Evil And Suffering” or The Argument From Evil (AE).
Body
I. Before we go any further…
We have to acknowledge the fact – even apart from discussions about faith and evidences – the human mind naturally processes and seeks understanding when it comes to events involving human suffering:
A. There are five stages (levels) the mind goes through in its search for understanding:
B. We’re human beings! We need understanding! We need explanation!
C. Thankfully the Bible helps us deal with the emotional aspects of human suffering and evil: Psalm 23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 21:4; Revelation 20:7-15; Romans 12:17-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Peter 3:7.
D. But some will use the tragedy and suffering as an opportunity to argue against the existence of God! This is The Argument From Evil. There are three main responses that theists can make to AE:
(1) We can point out problems with the argument.
(2) We can try to explain evil and suffering.
(3) We can offer additional arguments for the existence of God that outweigh the AE.
II. We will talk about the first two of these responses:
A. Problems with the Argument From Evil:
1. There are inconsistencies with the argument.
2. The AE uses ambiguous terms.
3. The matter of unproven and unrealistic assumptions.
B. And then: We can try to explain evil and suffering (in some rational fashion). Note: We need to exercise caution in being a know-it-all when it comes to explaining suffering. Suffering may exist for many reasons (some of which are known only to God).
1. First of all: We can explain the compatibility of God’s existence and the existence of evil by using basic Bible teaching.
2. Second: We can offer two explanations for why God allows evil to exist in the world.
3. Third: A distinction should be made between natural evil (pain, misfortune, death) and moral evil (sin).
III. So why does God allow suffering to exist in the world?
A. First: God allows suffering to exist because it keeps the world from becoming too attractive to us (1 Pet.2:11; Heb.13:14; 2 Cor.5:1, 5).
B. Second: God allows suffering to exist because suffering can bring out our best in service to others (Phil.2:1-4).
C. Third: God allows suffering to exist because suffering puts to silence the enemies of God (1 Pet.2:15; Matt.5:16).
D. Fourth: God allows suffering to exist because suffering makes us thankful (Phil.1:3-8; Acts 17:28).
E. Fifth: God allows suffering to exist because suffering teaches us that we are not in control.
F. Sixth: God allows suffering to exist because suffering purifies us (1 Pet.1:6-7; Jam.1:2-5).
G. Seventh: God allows suffering to exist because in the midst of suffering we learn how to pray.
H. Eighth: God sometimes causes suffering and difficulty! Providence allows this (Hebrews 12; James 1:2-4; Matt.5:45; 7:24-27).
Conclusion
If we take God out of the picture (if we say God does not exist), how does this improve the situation? How does it make life easier, less painful, more in control?
Additional: What do we learn from the Book of Job when it comes to the problem of evil and suffering?
A. We learn that faith does not provide an escape from suffering! Second to this, we learn that we (as men and women of faith) have to face difficult questions pertaining to suffering in the world!
B. We learn that faith in God is a source of strength when we suffer (or when others suffer)! How does faith help us? By teaching us to trust God’s wisdom and judgment; to put the matter in God’s hands.
C. We learn the proper relationship between God and man! Man has to answer to God (as difficult as that is); God does not have to answer to man. Job teaches us that it is man’s role to be submissive to God; and to respect God’s sovereignty! We need to serve/trust Him without expecting Him to explain everything to us (which is seeing, not faith).
D. We learn that God is concerned about the faithful who suffer. Furthermore: God does not allow any trial to come upon His people which is greater than they can bear (1 Cor.10:13). And God rewards those who endure their trials (Rom.8:18).
E. We learn to exercise caution in being a know-it-all when it comes to explaining suffering. We learn that suffering mayexist for many reasons (not just one reason).
F. We learn that there are several reasons as to how the presence of evil/suffering in the world is to be explained:
- Suffering tests a man’s character (Job 1:6-12; James 1:2)
- Suffering results from one’s personal sins (Job 4:7-9; John 5:14)
- Suffering purifies the sufferer (Job 23:10; Mal.3:2-3)
- Suffering chastens and humbles God’s children (Job 33:19-30; Heb.12:1-11)
1. Each of these views has something to say for itself and is true of certain cases. No one of them is a total answer. We must especially guard against seeing all suffering as punishment from God (John 9:1ff).
2. In God’s answer to Job, the point is made that man cannot under¬stand everything in his experience (Job 38:1ff).
Content by Brian Giselbach
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