(from a quote by John Stott)
2006-09-22 09:33:40 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'd say yes, just look at how much suffering the Jews have endured and they are God's choosing people.
2006-09-22 09:40:33 · answer #1 · answered by Sean 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The challenge suffering puts to Christianity (or any religion) is this, "How can a good & powerful God allow pain & suffering to exist." I would encourage you to read the book "The Problem of Pain" by C. S. Lewis. He was an atheist who found his way to God throught his very question.
First remember that some pain is necessary. It keeps us from hurting ourselves further. If you didn't feel pain from burning yourself on a hot stove, you let your hand sit there forever & melt off.
Second, much suffering is inflicted by other humans, evil people- murderers, child molesters, dictators, crazy aunts. So either God isn't powerful enough to stop them or He isn't good enough to care. That is the problem that suffering presents us. There are two things we must remember:
Humans have free will. Everyone make choices over the courses of our lives. If we could only make the choices God wanted us to, we would be robots not humans. God created the world perfect & free of evil, we messed it up.
Second, just because God does not intervene & stop suffering now, doens't mean he never will. One day, He will set everything right again. In the meantime, He comforts us with Himself.
Rev. 22:4
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away."
2006-09-22 16:48:28 · answer #2 · answered by hhvbnz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all, suffering is essential to the Christian faith. Like any feudal system, it takes a lot of peasants to support one king. Promising an end to suffering is the selling point that keeps the money rolling in.
2006-09-22 16:46:50 · answer #3 · answered by rich k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No... rationality and improvements to our public education system constitute the greatest challenge to the Christian faith.
2006-09-22 16:38:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I don't think so, I personally believe trying to be more like Christ in my daily life. I fall short & I'm very hard on myself . I hate it when people say we're only human, to me that's no excuse. Or when we sin people say well that's OK, I'm forgiven, that's a cop out!! Yes we are forgiven, but we need to always think (what would Jesus do) BEFORE we do anything.
thanks for the question.
2006-09-22 17:11:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I believe from Job to the Apostle Paul they viewed suffereing as proof that they loved God and wanted to do his will no matter how difficult it may be. Satan challenged that we serve God for selfish reasons. But they showed they were willing to serve God with no hope of any reward.
2006-09-22 16:38:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Challenge? Pehaps, but not one that we must stand alone in. Jesus is with us the entire way if we let him! Amen!
2006-09-22 16:36:48 · answer #7 · answered by yeppers 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it is because of christians that is why we are all suffering with all the wars thay have caused over 2000yrs
2006-09-22 16:37:35 · answer #8 · answered by andrew w 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope! Sin Does!
2006-09-22 16:36:50 · answer #9 · answered by LARRY S 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋