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Your Question:
why does god allow pain?
Answer:
As a pastor, I've grappled with this question many times, and I believe that God allows pain for a few reasons. Firstly, pain often serves as a wake-up call or reminder of our human brokenness and alienation from God, prompting us to seek outside assistance and turn to Him in repentance and faith. This is evident in Scripture, where Jesus says, "Unless you repent, you will all perish" (Luke 13:3). Pain can be a catalyst for spiritual growth and a reminder of our need for God. Furthermore, if God were to shield us from all pain and suffering, it would make Him a deceiver, giving us a false impression that we don't really need Him. As theologian Vernon Grounds puts it, "An individual, quite completely free from tension, anxiety, and conflict may decide not to overcome his opposition and incline him to the act of faith." God desires that there be no physical pain in His creation, but He allows it in certain instances to serve a greater purpose. In my own life, I've seen how pain and suffering can lead people to seek God and experience His love and redemption. As the Bible says, "God is our nearest environment" (Psalm 139:7-12). He is not distant or disconnected from our struggles, but rather, He is actively working to bring us closer to Himself, even in the midst of pain and suffering. This is evident in the cross, where Jesus bore our sins and shared our sorrows, demonstrating God's sensitivity to human sin and sorrow.
Sources:
introduction biblical ethics
robertson mcquilkin
dogmatic theology
shedd
elemental theology
emery bancroft
christian theology
millard erickson
systematic theology
wayne grudem
depression
edward welch
jesus on trial
david limbaugh
christian apologetics
douglas groothius
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