Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
The Problem of Evil and Suffering (SUFFERING (Def: feeling of pain or…
The Problem of Evil and Suffering
EVIL
moral = acts of humans that are morally wrong
natural (disasters, e.g. earthquakes, droughts
SUFFERING
Def: feeling of pain or sadness
man-made
global (e.g. climate change, poverty)
personal (e.g. loss of a loved-one)
CHRISTIAN REACTIONS TO EVIL AND SUFFERING
PRAYING: for strength or the removal of the suffering/evil. Christians trust God will punish a person who committed a moral evil.
HELPING
Following Jesus' example
Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
(Matthew 25: 31-46): Jesus returns to reward all those who have fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited those in prison, and cared for the sick
Ignoring a person in need = ignoring Jesus
CHRISTIAN EXPLANATIONS FOR EVIL & SUFFERING
THE ORIGINAL SIN: Adam & Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. God punished them (the fall). The tendency to sin has been inherited since:
'...the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth.'
(Genesis 8:21)
SATAN: an archangel who disobeyed God, now the power of evil
SUFFERING AS A TEST: shown in
the story of Job
, whom the devil made suffer (by taking his wealth, health and children) to see if he would still believe in God (which he did), many Christians believe suffering in life is a test of their faith, and they will be rewarded in the afterlife.
THE PROBLEM OF EVIL AND SUFFERING
:
If God is benevolent, why does He allow people to suffer?
If He is omnipotent, why does he not prevent evil and suffering?
If He is just, why does he allow injustice to happen?