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What about all the suffering?
by
Code 2 Life
Answer: This question is probably the most widely asked and most intensely debated question among philosophers and non-religious skeptics. It is classically known as the ‘Theodicy.’ This word comes from two Greek words (Theo- God; dike- judgment). This argument places God under judgment. Here is how the classical argument goes:
1.If God is all good, then he WOULD destroy evil/suffering;
2.If God is all powerful, then he COULD destroy evil/suffering;
3.Evil and suffering exist;
4.Therefore, God is either not all good, not all powerful, or he does not exist.
On the face of it, this argument looks very strong. It has been used for hundreds of years by critics of religion. In a more common way, this question simply asks, “How can God allow so much evil to go on in the world today?”
It’s a very good question and one that requires a good response. Let’s look at if from a couple different angles. First of all, ironically, the argument actually proves what it is seeking to question. Philosopher, Dr. Doug Geivett, put the argument like this:
1. To say that something is evil is to say that there is a way things OUGHT NOT TO BE;
2. But to say that there is a way things ought not to be is to say that there is a way that things OUGHT TO BE;
3. And to say that there is a way things ought to be is to say that there is some STANDARD by which to determine how things ought to be;
4. To say that there is some standard that determines the way things ought to be is to say that there is some STANDARD GIVER that has told us how things ought to be.
In other words, the very fact that the skeptic admits that there is evil demonstrates conclusively that he/she believes that there is a way things ought not to be. But what possible way could they ever know that, unless, something within them knows that there is some standard by which all men should follow. So, the first point to make is that to even bring up the issue shows that there is an internal understanding that there is a standard that has been violated.
Next, I would approach this problem with a very obvious fact that everyone at least feels to be true. This fact is the fact of human free will. One of the greatest gifts God has given all men is the free ability to choose their paths. God does not violate our will but rather lets us and the world suffer the effects of man’s fallen and sinful choices. Much if not most of the suffering and evil in the world is due to the effects of the choices of fallen man. God has provided a way of escape if we would only listen to Him. It is true that God is all-good and it is true that God is all –powerful. It is also true that evil still exists.
However, it does not follow that therefore God must not exist or is not good or powerful. The Bible teaches that God has already begun to deal with evil through the giving up of His one and only Son Jesus Christ. This is in effect the death blow that God has dealt evil, and although it has not been fully removed YET, a day is coming when God will balance the scales of good and evil through the weight of his justice and love. C.S. Lewis once said that “pain is God’s megaphone to a deaf world.” This is unfortunately true.
It is only through pain that we really desire to seek God and come into a close and intimate relationship with Him. When times are good, it is difficult sometimes to truly be surrendered to the Lord’s will. When suffering and pain come though, our lives are His. Is it any wonder God allows so much pain and suffering so that he can get the attention of so many free creatures? Ecclesiastes says that in time ‘all things will be made beautiful.’
This is true, but until then, we become the Lord’s hands and feet as we reach out to a hurting world who desperately need love and healing. It is unfortunate, but is seems to be only through the context of pain and suffering that the true nature of Christ’s sacrificial life comes out in us. Until God chooses to make all things right, we should see the evil and pain of this world as glimpses into the life of Christ.
So we have a philosophical argument that shows that the mere recognition of evil shows that there must be some ultimate standard by which we see that evil actually exists. We also have seen that God has dealt with evil through the sacrifice of His Son. And finally, we see how God chooses to use evil and suffering to make people more into the image of His Son. The Bible is very clear that evil is not going to be a permanent fixture in God’s plan, but until He is ready, it will be used mightily by God for His glory and for His purposes.
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