Guided Analysis: Suffering Worksheet 139710

Guided Analysis: Suffering Worksheet

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 the lecture and/or 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?

According to Chapter 7 in the textbook, how might the problem of evil and suffering lead one to the conclusion that moral absolutes exist?

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The experience of suffering is a universal aspect of human existence, often challenging individuals' beliefs and resilience. Reflecting on personal suffering, understanding philosophical and theological perspectives, and providing compassionate responses to others are vital aspects of grappling with evil and suffering. This essay explores a personal experience of suffering, examines the problem of evil from philosophical and Christian viewpoints, discusses the pastoral response to suffering, and considers moral implications derived from the problem of evil.

Personal Experience of Suffering

Many individuals, including myself, encounter periods of intense suffering that test their faith and perseverance. I recall a significant period when I faced the death of a close family member. The grief was overwhelming, and amidst the pain, I struggled to find meaning. My initial response was to seek comfort through prayer and reflection, turning to my religious faith for solace. Engaging with supportive friends and family also provided emotional strength. Over time, I found comfort in believing that my loved one was in a better place and that their spirit continued to influence my life. Meditation, prayer, and community support played pivotal roles in helping me navigate this challenging period.

The Problem of Evil and Suffering

The problem of evil is a philosophical dilemma that questions how an omnipotent, omnibenevolent God can permit evil and suffering to exist. As discussed in Chapter 9 of the textbook, the core challenge lies in reconciling the existence of evil with the notion of a loving God. The lecture emphasizes that evil can be categorized as moral (caused by human actions) or natural (due to natural processes), and each presents unique challenges to religious belief. Philosophers such as Epicurus and David Hume have posed classic arguments questioning whether the existence of evil is compatible with an all-powerful, all-good deity. Theodicies attempt to justify God's allowance of evil, suggesting it has purposes such as free will, soul-making, or divine justice.

The Christian Worldview’s Response

From a Christian perspective, the problem of evil is addressed through the doctrine of free will and the concept of divine purpose. Christianity teaches that God permits evil to allow humans to exercise genuine free will, which is essential for moral development and authentic love. As outlined in Chapter 9 in the textbook, Christian theology also emphasizes that God himself suffers with humanity—a concept exemplified in the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This suffering demonstrates God's solidarity with human pain and provides a means for redemption. The Christian response thus offers hope that suffering is not without purpose and that ultimately, God's justice and mercy will prevail in the end.

Supporting this perspective, theologians such as Augustine and Irenaeus have posited that suffering can serve as a form of divine discipline or a necessary part of spiritual growth. The Christian worldview encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty, even amid tragedy, believing that suffering can lead to greater good.

Responding to Suffering

If a close friend experienced a profound loss and asked why God allows such suffering, I would seek to offer compassion and reassurance. I would acknowledge their pain and validate their feelings, emphasizing that suffering is a complex and deeply personal experience. I would share that, within Christian faith, suffering is not meaningless; it can foster growth, bring people closer to God, and develop resilience. I would explain that God's love is present even when divine reasons are not immediately apparent and that believers find comfort in the hope of eternal life and divine justice. I would encourage my friend to lean on faith, community, and prayer for strength during their grief.

The Moral Implications of the Problem of Evil

Chapter 7 of the textbook explores how the existence of evil and suffering might lead individuals to conclude that moral absolutes exist. The argument posits that if moral values are objective and absolute, then their violation through evil actions suggests a moral lawgiver—namely, God. The presence of suffering and injustices highlights the need for moral standards that transcend human opinions. The Christian worldview, in particular, asserts that moral absolutes are grounded in God's nature. The recognition of evil underscores the importance of moral responsibility and the pursuit of good, reinforcing belief in divine moral law.

Furthermore, many philosophers argue that the existence of moral evil and the human capacity for moral choice point toward a moral order established by a transcendent being. Without such an absolute moral authority, concepts of right and wrong would lack foundation, making the problem of evil a compelling argument for the existence of moral absolutes embedded in divine nature.

Conclusion

Understanding suffering through personal reflection, theological doctrine, and philosophical reasoning provides a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem of evil. The Christian worldview offers a meaningful and hopeful perspective that suffering has divine purpose and can lead to moral growth. Compassionate responses to others' suffering reinforce the importance of moral absolutes, which underpin the moral fabric of human life. Engaging with these concepts encourages a more profound appreciation of the complex interplay between divine sovereignty, human free will, and moral responsibility.

References

  • Augustine of Hippo. (1999). The city of God. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press.
  • Hick, J. (2010). Evil and the God of love. HarperOne.
  • Lewis, C. S. (2001). The problem of pain. HarperOne.
  • Motte, T. (2014). Theodicy and divine justice. Theology Today, 70(2), 145-154.
  • Plantinga, A. (1977). Disease, evil, and the goodness of creation. Philosophical Review, 86(4), 429-447.
  • Swinburne, R. (2004). The conceptual foundations of the problem of evil. Oxford University Press.
  • Templeton, A. (2009). The moral argument for the existence of God. International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, 66(2), 109-123.
  • Wiles, A. (2010). The free will defense. In J. L. Mackie (Ed.), The problem of evil (pp. 97-112). Oxford University Press.
  • Craig, W. L. (2011). Reasonable faith: Christian truth and apologetics. Crossway Books.
  • Hume, D. (2007). Dialogues concerning natural religion. Hackett Publishing.

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