journaljournal
Have you ever had a problem reconciling a God who is just with the fact of unjust evil and suffering in the world? If so, explain what happened? If not, tell why you think this has never been a problem for you.
Have you ever had a problem reconciling a God who is just with the fact of unjust evil and suffering in the world? If so, explain what happened? If not, tell why you think this has never been a problem for you.
What do you think? What do you think?
Take the attitudes survey on page 37.
Take the attitudes survey on page 37.
Why?Why?
by asking this ? we assume there is an answer
answers created Superstition- non-christian
belief that bad luck is caused by magic or certain actions like walking under a ladder
by asking this ? we assume there is an answer
answers created Superstition- non-christian
belief that bad luck is caused by magic or certain actions like walking under a ladder
Our Quest for JusticeOur Quest for Justice
life isn’t fair, but people seek explanations for the bad things that happen to them
life isn’t fair, but people seek explanations for the bad things that happen to them
JusticeJustice
Retributive justice- good people are rewarded and evil people are punished. Seen in OT-
Proverbs about who will suffer
God rescuing Noah, the Israelites
Retributive justice- good people are rewarded and evil people are punished. Seen in OT-
Proverbs about who will suffer
God rescuing Noah, the Israelites
Not why suffering exists but how it is distributed
Unjust sufferingUnjust suffering
Can challenge our faith Theodicy- trying to reconcile
God’s justice with the fact of unjust evil and suffering
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Suffering as punishment seems great until we are suffering
Can challenge our faith Theodicy- trying to reconcile
God’s justice with the fact of unjust evil and suffering
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Suffering as punishment seems great until we are suffering
All of those ideas are inadequate
All of those ideas are inadequate
God is shown in a bad light
Innocent suffer (babies, kids)
Loving God JC describes Human Goodness: the
innocent suffer too
God is shown in a bad light
Innocent suffer (babies, kids)
Loving God JC describes Human Goodness: the
innocent suffer too
A test of faithA test of faith
Abraham and Isaac But this does not hold
true because God is Omniscient
Abraham and Isaac But this does not hold
true because God is Omniscient
A form of DisciplineA form of Discipline
Suffering to make us stronger
Like pottery that emerges from the fire, God it the potter and we are the clay
Suffering to make us stronger
Like pottery that emerges from the fire, God it the potter and we are the clay
Not a form of disciplineNot a form of discipline
There is no guarantee that with suffering we will become stronger
If it were true being virtuous would include seeking out suffering
There is no guarantee that with suffering we will become stronger
If it were true being virtuous would include seeking out suffering
Suffering and FreedomSuffering and Freedom
Some suffering caused by human sin *7 capital sins
Free choice To love or reject God Without suffering we
could not be truly free Free to react to evil in
any manner
Some suffering caused by human sin *7 capital sins
Free choice To love or reject God Without suffering we
could not be truly free Free to react to evil in
any manner
Victim to Victor Victim to Victor
Face problems rather then dodge them
Keep close to people you love
Discover what you are really feeling
Balance the ongoing problem with other parts of your life
Face problems rather then dodge them
Keep close to people you love
Discover what you are really feeling
Balance the ongoing problem with other parts of your life
Be responsible for your own decisions
Be true to your moral, religious, and spiritual beliefs
Be proactive, not reactive, to your situation
Maintain your sense of humor
Be responsible for your own decisions
Be true to your moral, religious, and spiritual beliefs
Be proactive, not reactive, to your situation
Maintain your sense of humor