Gospel News · May - August 2016

23
The Human
Problem of
Suffering
An Article for Discussion
T
he problem of suffering has no easy
answer. Let me say that at the start. And
the answers which the Bible gives are not, at
the first impression, what secular man would
like to hear. But at the outset, let’s observe
that some of the problems associated with the
question arise from false theologies and inter-
pretations. Not least is the idea that God gives
only good, wants us to have a fantastic life
free of suffering, and therefore all the nega-
tive stuff must be blamed upon a supernatural
being known as the Devil or Satan. This is not
what the Bible teaches. This is a simplistic
theology which has its roots in paganism and
not in the one true God. It creates more prob-
lems and more mental suffering than it ever
solves. I’ve written extensively about the issue
in The Real Devil, which you can freely access
at www.realdevil.info. For now, let’s allow
the words of Isaiah 45:5-7 their full weight: “I
am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides
Me, there is no God. I will strengthen you,
though you have not known Me… I form the
light, and create darkness. I make peace, and
create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all
these things”. This was written in the context
of Judah in captivity starting to be influenced
by the pagan ideas that there was a good God
and a bad one. But there is not; struggle with
it as we may, the one true God is all powerful,
and all things, positive and negative, have
their source in Him.
Men with our Questions
The Bible has a wonderful way of correctly
anticipating our questions and doubts - and
addressing them. The questions are taken
right out of our minds, and placed in the
mouths or on the pens of Bible characters. The
prophet Habakkuk takes the thoughts, doubts
and struggles out of our minds when he begins
his short prophecy with a list of questions
about the justice and morality of God. Reading
his opening questions, we are immediately
attracted to him. For the questions of this
ancient Israelite man in Habakkuk chapter 1
are our questions in this age: Why do the
wicked prosper? Why does God tolerate them?
Why is there so much injustice? Why do the
innocent suffer so terribly? He stubbornly
stands upon his watchtower and awaits the
answers from God (Hab. 2:1). With baited
breath, we await smart, profound responses
from God in chapter 2, brief, pithy answers
that are going to leave us feeling with relief
The reason for suffering is sometimes difficult to comprehend and
this article is an attempt to provoke thoughts to help more deeply
understand it. Your comments will be most welcome.