Why did this happen?

Why did this happen?

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

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

No answer to the ?No answer to the ?

Could be the wrong ? Could be the wrong ?

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