Suffering and Its Relation to God

Paper Summary:

Utilizing a Judeo-Christian approach to the problem of suffering as it arises from both moral and natural evil, this paper explores the nature of suffering in an attempt to understand why God allows it and what it says about God. The writer first defines suffering and describes what precipitates it and how it affects humanity. The writer then analyzes several different responses by different scholars to this problem, but does not find an intellectual solution. The paper concludes that since God gave freedom to his creation, life inevitably experiences suffering and evil but these do not have the final word. God stands before and after both suffering and evil.

From the Paper:

"Suffering as caused by "natural evil" is seen throughout the history of humanity and all kinds of life. Pain is also rampant throughout the animal kingdom. Pain is seen as more of a physical manifestation in a discomforting sensation, whereas suffering occurs upon a reflection of the physical pain or even emotional pain. The distinction is not so clear throughout the theological/philosophical literature. It seems to be much clearer from a psychological standpoint."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Website of Robert Augustus Masters: Online. <<http://www.robertmasters.com/ESSAY-pages/Suffering_Pain.htm>> Accessed March 7th, 2008.
• Dawkins, Richard. A River Out of Eden. New York: Basic Books, 1995.
• D'Souza, Dinesh. What's So Great About Christianity? Washington: Regnery, 2007.
• Holder, Arthur. The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2005.
• Hunter, Cornelius. Darwin's God: Evolution and the Problem of Evil. Grand Rapids: Brazo, 2001.

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