If There Is a God, Why Do We Suffer?

The question has been around for millenia: if God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent, why do people suffer? The answers seem obvious to many (most?) people. It's because of free will. It's because of sin. It's because of the devil or other evil powers. It's because God is testing us. It's to make us appreciate the good. It is to make goodness possible. It will all be resolved in the afterlife. It's a mystery that only God can explain. Pick your answer! And there other options are out there! But is any of them ultimately satisfying? Do they really solve the problem? If not, where does that leave us? Is belief in an all-powerful, loving God possible?

Megan asks Bart:

-What does the NT say about evil and suffering? Is there any biblical explanation for why God doesn’t remove it?

-Could you tell us more about that syllogism?

-How do people try and explain how those three statements can be true?

-What do you think of those explanations?

-Where does this turn up in the NT?

-If suffering can occur because God is punishing someone, then how does the NT view demons and the devil? What purpose does that evil serve?

-Are there any other views or explanations of evil and suffering seen in the bible?

-Do you see in ancient writings this question of why can’t god create good without suffering, or is this something that develops later in Christian thought?

-Are there any modern explanations for the problem of suffering that differ substantially from ancient explanations?

-What other simple explanations have you come across?

-How does free will play into these explanations?

-When you were a Christian, how did you deal with this problem?

[amazinggrace]

My daughter was sick most of her life. When she lived and after she died, religious and esp hyper-religious people (including family) said or implied that it was because of how or what we believed. Not how we treated our fellow man, but whether you prayed enough or went to church enough. It’s was one of the cruelest things done to us. My father told me once that he thought my youngest brother had Down Syndrome was because of his failings. He was the nicest person I know and kind to everyone. It made me so sad to hear he felt that way for decades.

[MikeSmith-myto]

I came up in a theology that is along these lines:
“ if I am suffering God is testing me”
“If you are suffering God is punishing you “
Such a horrible world view

[MeDecade]

"People, for some reason, find solace in the idea that they have an explanation for something that has no explanation." That perfectly sums up pretty much every religion throughout history.

[k.c.]

Megan really has become a good interviewer. Pays attention, asks appropriate follow ups, and lets Bart talk without interrupting.

[asynchronicity]

When a three year old child died from being forgotten in a hot car several years ago in a town I used to live in, many people posted that we should all be praying for justice for the child. Why would “God” care about influencing the ins and outs of the justice system when “He” didn’t care enough to prevent the child from dying a horrible death in the first place?

[darknutgaming]

I heard it put like this…

“Imagine all the things you would do, if you were God. Now realize you worship a deity that has done none of those things.”

[davidk]

Suffering and evil don’t just “exist”, they’re actively perpetuated by forces that we do understand but fail to resolve because everyone feels bound by their own immediate interests. Spiritual explanations of the problem are no more than an excuse to continue avoiding proactive solutions.

[christianfasy]

Excellent response from Bart. "I don't know, but I will do what I can to make things better."

[MrDalisclock]

As someone who is no longer a Christian primarily(but far from the only reason) because of the problem of evil, I appreciate this.

[WordsDontMeanWords]

Watching this after 17 years of failed prayer and being housebound with Myalgic encephalomyelitis in pain and flu like fatigue. Stopped believing in God 1 year ago for many reasons and I am not surprised by the lack of empathy on behalf of Christians they will seek to frame my suffering and response to it in any way possible that keeps them from feeling uncomfortable with their position. I have experienced such hateful comments.

[markswisniewski]

I've read Dr. Ehrman's book on this topic and find his realizations mirror my own. When people tell me thay can't understand why God would permit suffering, I've gotten into the habit of saying that there are simply some questions you can't ask. I have no understanding of how large the universe is, what shape it is, or if there might be more than one. And so I find it better to just leave it be. Try to avoid pain, try to avoid hurting anyone, make whatever you can better, and strive to grow with all experiences.

[ChannelSRL]

If suffering is God's punishment for sin, for what purpose was the sacrifice of Jesus?

[IsmaPuntoDoc]

Hearing how Bart took into account the beliefs of Megan and of his wife as people who identify as christians, I now DEMAND (very nicely and eagerly, of course) an episode with Bart interviewing Megan and her experience as the co-host of this podcast. As someone who also identifies as Christian and fallows Bart's work with utmost interest, I'd love to hear what Megan has to say.

[HassanRadwan]

Loved this! Facing the possibility that our suffering has no explanation is too unbearable for most which is why we contrive explanations.

[FretnesButke]

Professor Bart is big hearted, and it truly helps bolster his perspective on the Bible. Many believers take it for granted that non-believers are amoral when nothing could be further from the truth. Being an authentic human means, regardless of belief or race, you want to be decent, do the right thing and can't help but empathize with another's suffering, human or animal. Regardless of belief, that should be a great source of comfort.

[MichaelYoder]

Sometimes good prevails and sometimes bad prevails. It's the yin/yang of life. This was a really great episode. Thanks Bart, Megan et al. And thank you for answering my question.

[AnnNunnally]

I quit going to church after I heard a sermon about how prayer helped someone get a dorm room they wanted. Because I prayed frantically that my son would live and yet he did not. A God that says yes and no so arbitrarily is too cruel for me.

[MisplacedTrust]

Was anyone affected (like I was) hearing Bart and looking at the pain in his face when he quite pragmatically and as stoic as possible declared that he feels that the worst in us will likely succeed us. How troubling to feel this way. People must unite and rise and we need to keep doing it throughout our past and present to allow for the future. Love coming from Australia Bart, thank you for your contributions.

[Valdagast]

If you read the Bible it becomes _very_ clear that the statement "God is benevolent" is... problematic.

Edit: When we find something that we _want_ to believe, we ask "can I believe it?" And we look for one example, and we don't question it too much. When it's something we _don't_ want to believe, we ask "must I believe it?" And if we can find one counter-example, we're satisfied with that. And that's how intelligent people end up with simple questions to complex answers.

[codykuch]

Now this is one I was looking forward to watching. Thank you both.