The recent natural disaster in the Pacific, which is still very recent, with the number of individual tragedies still to be fully ascertained, has brought much grief to many people, families, and communities, and we pray that much consolation would be graced to those reflecting on their past and looking into future with anxiety and fear.
Such a response affirms the inter-relationships that are endemic in the community of cultures and nations, which is encouraged not only by the multicultural context of our locales, but also by the viral nature of the mass media, where a happening in another time zone is beamed into our consciousness at a moments notice, where we see another individual, like us, imago dei, experiencing any number of joys, and sadly, seemingly more poignantly, and newsworthy, many more griefs, where, but for the grace of God, such could be you or I, standing in their place, standing in their experience.
In fact, empathy for our fellow man will behoove us to view our reality through their eyes, thereby allowing us to enter into a larger perspective, where the call to weep with those who weep will be more reality than rhetoric, and where finally, our empathy will lead us to the Cross where true shalom can be found!
The last line of the previous paragraph introduces the reality of God into the equation, and for every follower of Christ, such a reality is the source at such a time of pain that poses no problem, but the very solution, not only to deal with the pain, but as means of hope for tomorrow, and for the end of all days.
However, while not wanting to use such a time as being merely a mindless means for maturation, such a time does present a living context for a wider context, which is the problem of evil and suffering in the world, in light of the Bible’s truth claim that God is love, perfect, holy, good, and in control… all the time!
Questions on suffering and evil may very well be the biggest obstacles for humanity searching for divine answers. Whether we have intellectually or practically dealt with these issues, in a wider context, these are wrestled with daily.
Therefore, just as we are behooved to enter into the pain and suffering of a dying world, like Jesus… we are also behooved to play some part in speaking truth in love, thereby signalling that sickness, suffering, and evil, while seeming to win many battles, will never win the war, as The Answer has come!
Here are a number of different resources, sourced from various places on the internet that may provide answers, guidance and wisdom for you, or those who may come into the pathways of your life lived under the Sun!
<Resources>
Disclaimer: I have not perused all the material individually, however, these are sourced from individuals and sites that are trustworthy. This is not to say that there are not other resources that may hit the mark more manifestly!
SUFFERING: IF GOD IS GOOD, WHY IS THERE SO MUCH EVIL IN THE WORLD? This is an Mp3 message by Tim Keller from his Reason for God series, which is based on his NY Times best-seller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. You should really purchase this book, as it deals with many of the questions facing Christians in culture. For some other Mp3 material that cover the other chapters in this book, visit this PAGE… NOW!
THE CROSS AND SUFFERING by Tim Keller.
A PASTORAL THEOLOGY OF SUFFERING AND EVIL by Don Carson.
THE PROBLEM OF EVIL by Greg Bahnsen.
THE BIBLE ON THE PROBLEM OF EVIL BY John Frame
HOW CAN I BELIEVE IN GOD WHEN THERE’S SO MUCH SUFFERING by Michael Ramsden.
THE TSUNAMI: IF GOD IS GOOD… WHY? by Dave Burke.
WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL TO EXIST? by Josh McDowell Ministry.
BOSNIA, RAPE AND THE PROBLEM OF EVIL by Greg Koukl.
HOW CAN A GOOD GOD ALLOW SUFFERING AND EVIL by William Lane Craig.
GOD CAN’T POSSIBLY EXIST GIVEN THE EVIL AND PAIN I SEE IN THE WORLD by Paul Copan.
THE PROBLEM OF EVIL by William Lane Craig.
EVIL AND THE GOD WHO KNOWS by Bruce Little.
SUFFERING AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. This is an on-line, downloadable, book, which the team has put online for free at Desiring God. On the above link, you will find a link for both to download the book, but also to download a study guide.
Here is a short blurb that may provide more insight:
In the last few years, 9/11, a tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and many other tragedies have shown us that the vision of God in today’s churches in relation to evil and suffering is often frivolous. Against the overwhelming weight and seriousness of the Bible, many Christians are choosing to become more shallow, more entertainment-oriented, and therefore irrelevant in the face of massive suffering.
In Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, contributors John Piper, Joni Eareckson Tada, Steve Saint, Carl Ellis, David Powlison, Dustin Shramek, and Mark Talbot explore the many categories of God’s sovereignty as evidenced in his Word. They urge readers to look to Christ, even in suffering, to find the greatest confidence, deepest comfort, and sweetest fellowship they have ever known.
Here is the PAGE to all the books at Desiring God, with most of these being downloadable. As it relates to this subject, two other books may be relevant: WHEN THE DARKNESS WILL NOT LIFT and BEYOND THE BOUNDS: OPEN THEISM AND THE UNDERMINING OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY. Both these books are downloadable and may prove helpful!
JOB: FIVE SERMONS ON SUFFERING. Here Piper goes through the text of Job, which can either be read or listened to. Our third son is named Malachi-Joeb for a reason. This is a book that has meant alot to I am Jonny king over the last four years, and the message of God in the book of Job still speaks today!
HELP FOR THOSE WHO GRIEVE. This is a page of an extensive number of resources that Greg and Nan Wright have put together that helped them deal with their suffering and loss of their child [I believe].
THEY CRY FOR A REASON IN SUFFERING by Ravi Zacharias.
MAKING SENSE OF SUFFERING – 1 by Don Carson.
MAKING SENSE OF SUFFERING – 2 by Don Carson.
MAKING SENSE OF SUFFERING – 3 by Don Carson.
CHRIST’S GRACE AND YOUR SUFFERING by David Powlison.
You can find many, many more resources here on SUFFERING, SUFFERING and EVIL.
If you have not been introduced to suffering, either personally, or through those you have come into contact with, it will only be a matter of time.
Romans 8:28 will still be true when that day will come, and these resources may play a part in preparing you personally, practically, and pastorally for such a time as this will be!
Until Next Time
I am Jonny King
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