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Your Question:
Why does God allow suffering when he's supposed to be all-powerful?
Answer:
**The Paradox of Suffering** The question of why God allows suffering when He is all-powerful and all-loving is a complex and deeply personal issue. It is a question that has puzzled many, including believers and non-believers alike. The Bible acknowledges the reality of suffering and the presence of evil in the world, but it also offers a unique perspective on why God permits it. **The Purpose of Suffering** The Bible teaches that God does not permit suffering for its own sake, but rather for a greater purpose. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, the Apostle Paul writes about his own experience of suffering, which he describes as a "thorn in the flesh." Despite his request for God to remove the thorn, Paul came to understand that it was a means of humbling him and keeping him from becoming proud. Similarly, Jesus' own experience of suffering and death on the cross was not an end in itself, but a means of redeeming humanity from sin and its consequences. This perspective suggests that suffering can be a means of growth, refinement, and redemption, even if it is not immediately apparent. **The Love of God** The question of why God allows suffering can also be seen as a misunderstanding of His love. While it is true that God is all-powerful and could prevent suffering, it is also true that He is all-loving and desires a personal relationship with each of us. In order to achieve this relationship, God may have to allow us to experience suffering, which can be a catalyst for us to seek Him and His purposes. The Bible teaches that God is not a distant deity, but a God who is intimately involved in our lives and who suffers with us. As the prophet Isaiah wrote, "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). In this sense, God's permission of suffering can be seen as a manifestation of His love for us, rather than a lack of love or power.
Sources:
on guard
william lane craig
jesus on trial
david limbaugh
confronting christianity
rebecca mclaughlin
why does god allow evil
clay jones
warranted christian belief
alvin plantinga
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