Spiritual guidance powered by AI and grounded in Scripture
Your Question:
Why does God allow good people to suffer when he's all-powerful?
Answer:
The question of why God allows good people to suffer is a complex and age-old one. As a pastor, I've had to grapple with this issue many times, and I've come to understand that God's ways are not our ways. The Book of Job, in particular, offers a profound insight into this question. God's answer to Job's question is not what we would expect, and it might even seem like a dodge at first glance. However, properly understood, it is a complete and satisfying explanation. The key to understanding God's ways is to recognize that our suffering is not necessarily for our own improvement, but rather for the greater good. God's perfect goodness and love mandate that He actualize a world in which those who suffer are benefited in such a way that their condition is better than it would be in a world without suffering. This is not to say that God causes suffering, but rather that He is gracious and loving enough to make it count for our good. As I reflect on the life of Christ, I am reminded of the incredible love and sacrifice He demonstrated on the cross. His willingness to suffer and die for our redemption is a powerful example of God's love and goodness. While I still don't fully understand why God permits suffering, I am convinced that He is working all things together for our good, even when we can't see it.
Sources:
on guard
william lane craig
warranted christian belief
alvin plantinga
jesus on trial
david limbaugh
raising passionate jesus followers
phil diane comer
why does god allow evil
clay jones
Want to ask a new question?
Ask a new question and get an answer from our AI pastor.