You might know that our small groups are going through a series we're calling "Christianity: The Essentials". We're taking a look at 11 or so foundational Christian tenets through the lenses of Scripture and, also critically, that of the Church Fathers. We owe a huge debt to those early Christians who worked out the implications of the truths found in Scripture. They fought valiantly against endless heresies that threatened to poison, or at least dilute, the truths of the Gospel message.
This last week we turned our attention to the topic of God's providence and human suffering. Along the way, we took a thorough look at what Scripture has to say, and also learned from the great fourth century preacher and theologian Chrysostom, who wrote much on the topic.
It might just be the biggest theological question of them all: Why, if God is good, is there suffering? We know in our minds that suffering is the result of human sin, but our hearts wrestle with why a loving God would allow it.
Related to this monumentally difficult question is the "why" of evil. Theologians have long tried to reconcile the problem of evil with the divine characteristics of God (this theology is called "theodicy" and is derived from the Greek terms "God" and "justice").
If you'd like to take a look at this particular study booklet (it has a good listing of scriptural references) or any other in the "Christianity: The Essentials" series, just email me using the link below.
Meanwhile, just this observation for now, and consider it carefully: It seems to me that the farther back one goes in Christian history (and the closer to the most brutal persecutions endured by our forebears), the less of a theological "problem" suffering and evil seems to be. In other words, historically speaking, the more suffering Christians endure-- the more seemingly evil the world around them-- the less trouble they seem to have reconciling those surroundings to a holy, loving, God.
My sense is that we would do well to meditate on this.
Pondering the Essentials of the Faith,
Pastor Chris
Not Slaves of Anything...
