Most Christians are committed to the idea that God is all-powerful and is thus able to do as He wishes so for me the question comes down to “why does God *not* fix this?” And I’ve encountered a wide variety of answers that usually start in one of two ways: “God choose/appointed this suffering/evil for you because…” or “God did not choose this for you and the only reason He hasn’t stopped it/fixed it is…” So, I’m going to comment on the answers I’ve heard. Understand, all of these views come from a scripture (or several) and the people saying them usually love God dearly. While I will be direct in my opinion, I recognize that these are my brothers and sisters in Christ. Further, I think it’s important because I meet the people who wanted to love God, do, still in their hearts, but they’ve been battered by the church and some of these answers contributed to the problem.
So here are the answers I’ve encountered:
“God choose/appointed this suffering/evil for you because…
answer A) He then gets the glory when He redeems it/you.
This comes from both John 9 and Job. I think they’ve misunderstood these passages and ignored several other passages that speak of God’s love and motivation. The problem I have with this is that it characterizes God as only interested in Himself and willing to use and abuse us to glorify Himself. Further, this view makes it very easy for pastors/leaders to abuse and use their congregations. Also, it makes redemptive efforts seem contrary to God (why try to cure cancer, doesn’t that steal glory from God?)
answer B) He is trying to teach you a lesson/make you more dependant on Him.
This primarily comes from the experience that we do draw closer and see that we’re more dependent on Him when we deal with times of suffering but it makes God a rather confusing and harsh teacher if we believe that He causes/appoints suffering and evil for that reason. It also, strangely, puts the focus on us instead of on God. The person with this view is scrabbling around to figure out what is wrong with them/what they should learn; their eyes are on their suffering and what they could possibly change. It also makes things seem like that person’s fault, as though they wouldn’t have had problem X if they were better learners or better Christians. I’ve heard people I deeply respect espouse this view but I must disagree.
answer C) He has a plan and His ways are higher than our ways so we must simply trust that this is good.
While there are certainly mysteries about God and He doesn’t answer every question the second we ask it, this answer feels like an evasion. It seems to say, “I don’t know so don’t ask so many questions.” It also tends to give the impression that one should check their brain at the door and simply obey the pastors and leaders, which often leads to spiritual abuse.
answer D) He looked at all the possible futures and this version of reality had the most number of people saved and the least overall evil/suffering.
I hold a different view but I can see how this one makes sense. It assumes that God is all-knowing and loving and is trying to get the best possible outcome on a bigger playing field. It is centered in His love and it holds firmly to values that God does have—the wish for all to be saved and the end of evil and death. It can lead to deism or to fatalism but it is one of the better views.
“God did not choose this for you and the only reason He hasn’t stopped it/fixed it is…”
answer A) you lack faith
While there are passages that mention faith, this is a gross misinterpretation of them. It conveniently blames the person suffering and averts the need to help them or show any brotherly compassion. It also encourages a kind of magical thinking where the person feels that if they get the faith part just right then they’ll get whatever they want. Of course, it’s impossible for us to measure the faith of another.
answer B) this world is broken and we are reaping the sin and death of the Fall.
This has real validity and is a major reason that we experience suffering and evil. The only problem I have with this is that sometimes we can forget that we have a God who is bigger than our world
answer C) this world is in the grip of intense spiritual warfare and while the war has been won on the Cross, there are still battles to fight until the ultimate conclusion.
Again, this is valid and true and we see this in both scripture and experience. The only problem I see with this is that a few people get overzealous and forget that some things are natural—it may be warfare causing person J’s anxiety or it may be physiological or psychological or a blend.
My answer is to make a hybrid of answers B and C.
It doesn’t take the pain away, but it makes it easier to lean on God and to see that He’s not capricious or playing favorites, which is how some of the other answers strike me.
Obviously, I have skimmed and summarized a lot here. (This is an insanely long post and I want you to make it to the end at least the second time you notice it.) I hope I’ve not been too confusing. I didn’t bring up many scriptures directly to keep from getting too detailed. I always come back to “God is love.” For me that is the beginning and ending of all theology. Our worship begins with Him loving us, then we love Him and also each other. I expect to see this core truth in the answers to suffering as well.
