God and the Problem of Human Suffering
Posted: Saturday, October 29, 2011
by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian
The atheist boasts loudest when he confronts the Christian with his argument that human suffering is proof that God does not exist. Any believer who confronts an unbeliever is almost certain to hear the following argument.
"You Christians say that your God is omnipotent, i.e., all powerful. You also claim that your God is omnibenevolent, i.e., wholly and perfectly kind and good. The atheist then reasons if your God is perfectly good he would not want his children to suffer. If he is omnipotent, he would not allow pain and suffering to happen. Since we see pain and suffering on every hand, affecting Christians as well as unbelievers, either your God is not wholly benevolent, or he is not omnipotent. In either case he cannot be what you claim for him to be."
The conclusion atheists reach is faulty because it is drawn from faulty premises.
• The atheist overlooks the fact that there are other attributes of God. Among them are His anger at man’s sin and rebellion (Deut. 7:4) and His hatred of man’s wickedness (Prov. 6:16). They fail to factor in the fact that He is a God of justice (Ps. 89:14). Justice demands that righteousness be rewarded and sin punished. Paul tells us, "behold then the goodness and severity of God..." (Rom. 11:22)
• Atheists fail to consider the nature of man. God has endowed each us with volition. We are free to make choices and decisions in life but we must live with the consequences thereof. Much of our suffering is the consequences of bad choices. With our minds made in God’s image, we are not limited to instinct as are birds and animals. We are not robots who are programmed to do certain things.
• They also fail to consider the nature of the world God created. He made laws by which nature operates. They are predictable and dependable. These laws, like that of gravity, must be recognized and complied with else we will incur pain and sorrow. Much suffering results from careless or foolish behavior that is contrary to nature’s laws.
• Unbelievers do not recognize the impact that the sin of the first human couple has on us today.
The Creator made them perfect and placed them in a perfect paradise called Eden. Every need was supplied, with only one prohibition. They could not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The penalty of disobedience was death (Gen. 2:16). Satan, the evil antagonist of God and man, lured them to eat the forbidden fruit. The penalty followed their disobedience. They lost their innocence and their immortality. They and the earth on which they dwelt, fell under a curse (Gen. 3:1-24). When they sinned, it was as if they had broken the vial that contained the virus and germ of every evil disease. It was as if the gate had been broken down that allowed every kind of wickedness to escape into their world. That curse still rests upon the earth (Rom. 8:19-22). Thus Paul wrote, "Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men..." (Rom.5:12).
• The antagonists of God cannot admit that suffering has some value. It reminds us of the consequences of our sin. It helps to see the true value of things in this life. We often get so caught up in insignificant things that we forget what is really important. Suffering reminds us of our mortality and teaches us to number our days and make the best use of them. It purges us of many bad habits and ugly attitudes of life by making us see their destructiveness. Suffering, like physical training, makes us morally and spiritually stronger and better. It purges from our hearts and lives things that are harmful for us. It reminds us that God is the source of all our blessings (Jas. 1:17) and drives us to look to Him for comfort and help. It causes us to look toward a new life and home with God where the curse will be lifted and there will be no more suffering, pain, sorrow and death (Rev. 21:3-5; 22:3). David wrote, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I may learn thy statutes" (Ps. 119:71). Some have described this life as a training ground for the life that is yet to be. The training is sometimes rigorous, but if we listen to our heavenly coach, we will learn "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward" (Rom. 8:18). Because they do not see instant rewards or punishments, atheists scoff at the Christian’s view of God. They forget, that they themselves are bound by time to bless or reward those about them, but God has all eternity to do so and has shown us that is a vital part of his plan.
• Enemies of God fail to understand that while God is omnipotent he too has ultimate volition. He can act or choose not to act in a given circumstance. Being sovereign, He can distribute his blessings as he chooses (Amos 4:7). He can punish the wicked man today and forgive him tomorrow, if the sinner repents of his wickedness. He can bestow a blessing and then take it away if the recipients do not show appreciation and gratitude for His kindness. With his omniscience He can distinguish between ignorance and insolence. He can discern between those who are sincerely trying to serve Him and those who are stubborn and rebellious. Job understood what they do not, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away" (Job.1:21).
We Christian live by faith in God (II Cor. 5:7). We endure the hardships of this life being confident that they are not worthy to be compared to the glory we will one day enjoy (Rom. 8:18). We know we have a heavenly Father who loves us and reward us for faithfulness (Matt. 7:21). We look to God’s Word and find comfort and consolation that enable us to face any problem, knowing that our Good Shepherd will watch over and care for us and in the end take us safely home (Ps. 23:1-4; John 10:11).
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Good exposition and thorough and complete concluding paragraphs. The "argument" against atheists and agnostics is one that many individuals usually don't concern themselves with, but you did a great job of making this both an exegesis and an instruction and inspiration.
Dear Chris: Thanks for your kind words. The case for faith in God is strong. Christians should never be intimidated by unbelievers. John
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