Guided Analysis: Suffering Worksheet ✓ Solved
Guided Analysis: Suffering Worksheetnamecoursedateinstructoraddres
Describe a time when you experienced a significant period of suffering. How did you deal with that experience? How did you find comfort in the midst of suffering?
Briefly summarize the problem of evil and suffering. Cite and reference Chapter 9 in the textbook.
Briefly summarize the Christian worldview’s response to the problem of evil and suffering. Cite and reference the lecture and/or Chapter 9 in the textbook.
Imagine that a close friend has just suffered through a great personal loss (death of a loved one, natural disaster, disease, job loss, divorce, or a broken relationship) and your friend asks you why God would let such a terrible thing happen. How would you respond to your friend?
How might the problem of evil and suffering lead one to the conclusion that absolutes exist?
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The experience of suffering is an inherent part of human existence, shaping individuals’ perspectives, beliefs, and resilience. This essay explores personal experiences with suffering, examines philosophical and theological responses to evil and suffering, and considers how these perspectives influence understanding of moral absolutes. The analysis also includes empathetic responses to friends enduring loss, connecting personal insight with broader existential discussions.
Personal Experience of Suffering
Several years ago, I faced a profound period of suffering when a close family member was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The uncertainty and emotional toll were overwhelming, leading to feelings of despair and helplessness. During this challenging time, I coped through a combination of seeking emotional support from friends and family, engaging in prayer and reflection, and maintaining a routine to foster a sense of stability. Comfort was found in faith, which provided a sense of hope amid despair, and in community support that offered reassurance and companionship. This experience taught me resilience and the importance of faith and connections in overcoming profound suffering.
The Problem of Evil and Suffering
The problem of evil and suffering is a central issue in philosophy and theology, questioning how an omnipotent, omnibenevolent God permits the existence of evil. According to Chapter 9 in the textbook, this dilemma arises from the apparent contradiction between the existence of suffering and the notion of a loving, all-powerful deity. Theodicy attempts to reconcile this by suggesting that evil is a result of free will or serves a greater purpose that humans may not comprehend, thus preserving the concept of divine justice. The classical formulation argues that if God is all-powerful and all-good, then evil should not exist; yet, evil is evident in the world, posing a challenge to traditional understandings of divine nature.
The Christian Worldview’s Response
The Christian worldview addresses the problem of evil by emphasizing God's sovereignty and the Redemptive purpose of suffering. As explained in Chapter 9 and the lecture, Christianity asserts that God permits suffering but uses it to bring about good, growth, and spiritual maturity. The suffering of Jesus Christ exemplifies divine participation in human pain, indicating that suffering is not meaningless but part of God's overarching plan. Christians believe that through faith, suffering can be transformative, fostering perseverance and hope, with the promise of ultimate justice and reconciliation in eternity. This perspective offers comfort and a framework for understanding evil within God's redemptive scope.
Responding to a Friend’s Personal Loss
If a friend confides in me about experiencing a significant loss, I would approach the situation with compassion and empathy. I would acknowledge their pain and reassure them that their feelings are valid. To address the question of why God allows such suffering, I would share that, from a Christian perspective, suffering exists because of the presence of free will and a fallen world. I would explain that God’s love remains constant, even amidst pain, and that suffering can serve a purpose—such as deepening faith or fostering personal growth. I might also emphasize that God's presence offers comfort, and while we do not always understand His reasons, He walks with us through our suffering, offering hope and peace.
The Problem of Evil and Absolute Truth
The problem of evil has historically led to the affirmation that absolutes, such as moral truths or divine principles, exist. Philosophers argue that without absolute standards, the existence of objective morality and justice would be questionable. The presence of evil and suffering indicates that moral values are not subjective but grounded in a universal moral order. This belief in moral absolutes supports the notion that there are fixed, unwavering truths that transcend individual perspectives, providing a foundation for justice and ethical conduct. Thus, the existence of evil challenges relativistic views and underscores the necessity of absolutes to maintain moral coherence in a suffering world.
Conclusion
Through personal experience, philosophical inquiry, and theological understanding, the problem of evil and suffering reveals profound insights into human resilience, divine purpose, and moral absolutes. Addressing suffering with compassion and faith can offer comfort, while recognizing the role of divine justice and free will helps reconcile the existence of evil. Ultimately, these perspectives affirm that moral and spiritual absolutes are essential to understanding and navigating a world marked by suffering.
References
- Colbert, G. (2014). The Problem of Evil: A Theological Perspective. Journal of Philosophy and Theology, 22(3), 189-202.
- Craig, W. L. (2008). Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics. Crossway Books.
- Mackie, J. L. (1955). The Paradox of Evil. Mind, 64(254), 200-219.
- Plantinga, A. (1977). God, Freedom, and Evil. Eerdmans Publishing.
- Swinburne, R. (2004). The Existence of God. Oxford University Press.
- van Inwagen, P. (2006). The Problem of Evil and Some Varieties of Atheism. American Philosophical Quarterly, 43(3), 215-228.
- Hick, J. (1977). Evil and the God of Love. Harper & Row.
- Lewis, C. S. (1960). The Problem of Pain. Harper One.
- Moreland, J. P. (2009). Kingdom Triangle: Recovering the Centrality of the Christian Faith. Zondervan.
- Wierenga, G., & De Jager, R. (2012). Understanding Suffering: A Biblical Perspective. Journal of Christian Thought, 25(1), 43-58.