The Problem of Pain, or, Why Do Bad Things Happen?

[mahf]

One of the things people look to religion for most is comfort in times of difficulty. They want some satisfying explanation about why they have to go through some painful time. For some this comes from a sense of injustice; they feel they don't deserve what they're going through, or that if there were indeed a good, loving and all-powerful God, He

Comments

[shaptastic]

I pretty much agree. The way that I like to think of it (in these words) is that people ask "Why does God allow suffering?" and I believe that God suffers along with the sufferer.

[mahf]

That's a really great way to put it! Thanks for the comment.

[lesliev]

Man, you are the ultimate blogger. I have at max 10 minutes a day to read and type blogs, and you blow my cap!

Not that that is a bad thing. One day I shall have enough time and I shall read your whole entry and then write a proper comment!

[prester_scott]

Hi. I saw this essay posted in christianity and I must say I was impressed; one doesn't often see original thought posted over there. (I take it you're ripping off C.S. Lewis to an extent, but you are not merely regurgitating.)

So if you don't mind, I will tune in for a while. I sense in you perhaps a kindred spirit.

As to your previous post, re: Hell. I once believed as you do, defining Hell as the absence of God, again following Lewis and a lot of contemporary evangelicals. However, more recently I have come to find more wisdom in the Eastern conception: that Hell is not God's absence, but His unveiled presence, fiery and terrible, which is pure joy to the converted saint, but terror and agony to the obstinate sinner. Scripture teaches us that the Presence of God is deadly. Israel's high priest was sent into the Holy of Holies with a rope around his ankle so that they could haul out his corpse in the event that the Spirit struck him dead -- and if the high priest had to fear, how much more the average Jew, how much more yet the

[mahf]

Hmmmm... Ironically, I haven't actually read "The Problem of Pain" yet I just thought it was a good title. While I wouldn't be surprised if C.S. Lewis has a similar take, this is just what I myself have learned about pain/suffering.

About hell, that is an argument I will certainly have to study a little more. At first glance it certainly seems like it could be true. To be honest eschatology is one of the areas of study I have given least attention to as far as in depth study goes. Thanks for the input!

[prester_scott]

Wow! Your thoughts here track Lewis's pretty well. Now I am even more impressed.

[mahf]

I meant to say that I have read a lot of Lewis, just not that particular book, which is why I wouldn't be surprised if he had a similar take.

This is the first time I've taken it upon myself to start writing things out like this, so I expect to find a whole lot of other people's thoughts in mine, and I don't really expect that they'll be wholly consistent. But writing of this nature is something I'd like to do for my whole life, and I want to see if my thoughts can benefit anyone else, and I also want some good criticism so I can learn more myself. I look forward to your input in the future!

[prester_scott]

Oh yeah, and I take it you are an UF student? I spent three years up there in Nuke. Didn't finish there though. It was a very interesting time in my life.

[mahf]

Yes, I am indeed a UF student. Just finished my 4th year as a physics major, not quite finished with the degree requirements though, LoL. Where did you end up?

[prester_scott]

Ended up at UCF with my degree in Mech. I don't regret the move though... much better job opportunities.