Why Does God Allow Suffering ?
On December 26, 2004 a violent earthquake on the seabed south of Sumatra triggered a massive disruption of the Indian Ocean’s waters. The world stood aghast at the devastation caused by the resulting onslaught of immense tsunami waves on many coastal fringes from Thailand to Tanzania. The waves travelled outward from the epicentre of the earthquake at amazing speed. Lack of adequate warning systems in the affected countries meant that most had little warning of the approaching danger. It has become rated as the worst natural disaster in living memory with a probable death toll exceeding 200,000.
Media coverage brought vivid impressions of the catastrophe to millions of viewers, and response to appeals for financial help were tremendous. Within the first week governments around the world had pledged $2 billion for relief and reconstruction. Voluntary organizations have drawn in donations on a scale which promises to surpass all previous records. So deeply has the world been touched by the scale of destruction and death.
Inevitably discussion has surfaced about God’s permission of natural disasters and consequent human suffering. One newspaper headline stood out boldly:“Religious Faith: rocked by the tsunami?” The article commented on the unsettling of many people’s faith by such events as the massive slaughter of World War I and the horrors of the Nazi death camps. Now “religion is once again scrabbling for an answer”.
The Christian’s faith is rooted in God’s Word, with its wonderful revelation of His character and purposes. He is seen there to act always in harmony with His essential wisdom, righteousness and love. Scripture describes His satisfaction with a perfectly completed work of creation “in the beginning” (Gen.1:21). It discloses how its perfection was so seriously impaired as a result of man’s disobedience to the Creator. One physical effect was spelt out to Adam:
Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil shall you eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles shall it bring forth for you … In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread. (Gen.3:17-19)
The far reaching impact on the natural creation is emphasized in Romans 8:20-22:
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope … For we know that the whole creation groans and labours with birth pangs together until now. (Rom 8:20-22)
Human experience has been wrought out generation by generation in this flawed environment, vulnerable to extreme variations such as tempest, flood, earthquake and drought. From his observation of mankind 3000years ago the wise Preacher wrote:
it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith(Eccles.1:13 RV)
He noted also that
time and chance happen to them all. For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are caught in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them. (Eccles 9:11-12)
In such experiences the believer shares the common lot of mankind: we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
The Scriptures therefore confirm that the divine plan of the ages involved a tremendous quota of suffering. Yet the Son of God Himself as our sin-Bearer suffered more intensely than any other. In doing so He manifested the love of God in its fullest splendour. Through that sacrifice also was made possible the reconciliation of each believing sinner. Millions who have known that reconciliation will bring glory to God eternally. In present Christian experience we can say with the apostle Paul:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom.8:18)
With such prospect assured to us, how confidently we may share the faith expressed in Psalm 46!
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
A Wider Perspective: If God is good, why so much suffering?
A cruel world
It seems so wrong: disasters and suffering overtaking so many people, especially the innocent. If not directly, most of us are affected in one way or another at some point in our lives. Children abused, drunk driver car deaths and gangland rapes. Nations suffering under cruel dictators, the holocaust, the twin towers and suicide bombers. And what about so called ‘acts of God,’ those natural disasters like the tsunami; suffering caused by floods, famine, hurricanes and earthquakes. All of this seems inconsistent with the popular image of God. So, if there is a God and this is His world, then why? This is not a new question for in the Bible, centuries ago, Job in the midst of extreme personal suffering for which he had no rational explanation, said to God
"Why didn't you let me die at birth? Then I would have been spared this miserable existence.” (Job 10:18-19 TLB)
God seems to have given us a very cruel world to live in, emphasised to us by the reports that fill our daily newspapers and television news. So whether the result of evil or natural disasters it seems reasonable to doubt God’s claim that He loves us. This all-powerful God certainly seems to be ignoring His creation. Or if God is out there somewhere, surely we are entitled to an explanation.
In the beginning
According to the Bible, God created a very good world and intended man to experience the best. The creation record describes the universe as God made it in the following words,
“ God saw all that he had made, and indeed it was very good” (Gen 1:31 NKJV)
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This includes the universe, the earth, all living forms and mankind. As far as God was concerned He seems to have been pleased with what He had provided. It was a real ‘paradise’ to live in, it was The Garden of Eden. There was no evil (or sin as the Bible calls it) and man in the beginning enjoyed a God-given perfect environment in which to live in harmony with Him, with each other and with His creation. But looking at today’s world, something must have happened to change things.
Is it fair to blame God?
God not only made the universe, He also controls it. He is described as “great in power;” (Nah 1:3, NIV) so we may ask ‘why does He not prevent these terrible events?’ Modern technology predicts natural disasters to make us safe, but even if some are saved, many feel that does not excuse God and still blame Him. On the other hand, did our first parent’s rebellion against God change things? Adam disobeyed and thus ruined his relationship with God. This not only brought disaster on himself but it had serious consequences for the human race and the world we live in. Also in God’s reckoning man is head of this creation and the things man was responsible for suffered as well as man. Addressing God, one Bible writer says about man
“You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.” (Ps 8:6 NKJV)
The following Bible quote, from a modern version, shows the effect on creation which is corrupt and spoiled as a result of man’s disobedience and rebellion against God.
“up to the present time all of creation groans.” (Rom 8:20-23 TEV)
What about suffering through evil?
When Adam disobeyed God one of the results was that
“sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin.” (Rom 5:12 NIV)
As we experience life it soon becomes obvious that evil doers abound. God could have made us to respond like robots; in which case we would not have had any freewill. He could have ‘programmed’ us so that we only did good things. However, just as we humans would not want a meaningless robot-like relationship with each other so it was with God, thus we all have free will. Unfortunately the innocent suffer since some chose to exercise their freewill with evil intent, so we cannot blame God. This evil distresses God for He has gone to great lengths to enable us to live differently. Also remember that God is there for us when we suffer. Jesus said:
“Come to me all you who are weary..and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11;28 NIV)
and on another occasion to those who would not come to Him
“You are not willing to come to me in order to have life.” (John 5 TEV)
This shows that God through Christ was there for us, but people were unwilling to take advantage of His offer.
Surprise, surprise, a God who suffers too
This God that many criticise for being unfair and distant experienced for Himself the worst of human suffering; suffering of both an emotional and physical kind. He experienced mob hatred, rejection, misunderstanding, humiliation, jealousy and lies. All of this with the most extreme physical pain and degradation ever experienced by humans. This happened when God came in the person of Christ, the Jesus of Nazareth. We certainly can’t say that He didn’t get involved. All of this to show His amazing love for each of us.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9 NIV)
In addition He showed us how to respond to suffering, especially the kind inflicted through undeserved injustice. And His goodness did not stop there for He capped it all with equally undeserved forgiveness to those who did it to Him and ultimately forgiveness to you and me. On the cross Jesus said, "Father, forgive them,” (Luke 23:34 NKJV) The death of Jesus was God’s way of coming alongside us, sharing in human experience, providing a way of forgiveness. This forgiveness is for those who respond in faith to Him and His love. We all have failed to give Him the place in our lives He deserves. So we should appreciate all He has done rather than criticise Him for our suffering, which is not His fault. It is far wiser to focus on His goodness, evident all around us, and specially seen in His love to us through Jesus Christ.
“The goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom 2:3-4 KJV)
“All the prophets testify about him (JESUS) that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins” (Acts 10:43)
Will things ever get better?
God has a master plan to restore things to perfection and goodness.
“God ... made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.” (Eph 1:9-10 TEV)
In other words, like an unfinished story we have still to read the final chapter. The good news is that His future perfect paradise, in which no suffering exists, is accessible to each of us. The Bible describes it like this:
“He (GOD) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21:4 NKJV)
We can be assured of this future blessing now, the only requirement being our repentance to God and faith in Jesus Christ.
