In a world of suffering, what is Christianity's answer ?

Question

There is no denying that this world is "sinful" as Jesus witnessed himself.

Yet the answer that there will be salvation in another life is inadequate. This is because the source of Jesus's suffering, if it could be identified with other sufferers of the world at large, is also the source of Jesus's ressurection. That may lead to the conclusion that Christianity is only a transcendental religion, with no care for the reality of this world - that the suffering felt in this world is only answered by the salvation in another.

I am inclined to believe that Jesus had another message that would also make the life in the world important also. As the Bible states, God was good and therefore all that he created was good also.

So between the inherent goodness of this world and the world we know today, what are Christian's task in this world?

Another related questino would be, why would God allow a sinful world to exist in the first place?

BrotherMichael - I hope my line of reasoning didnt offend you as your answer seems to indicate. Yes Christians do a lot of good in the world, but my question was, in a related way, why do good in this world if the eternal salvation lies in another life.

I must say im rather dissappointed with most of the answers - it seems to individualistic and out of touch with the world. Most of these answers seem to point to mentally believing - which Jesus did much more. He could have left Judaea, until things calmed down but he acted without thought of consequence. It would seem that to believing only by mental capacity is inadequate.

Answer 1

"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest". _ Jesus

Answer 2

"Yet the answer that there will be salvation in another life is inadequate." Why? Salvation for Christ's people is being saved from facing the punishment for our sin, which Christ took upon Himself, but also giving us a new nature, being reborn in the Spirit, so that we no longer serve our sin nature, but serve the living God. The suffering that others endure can in no way come close to the suffering Christ endured. His resurrection justified the believers so that they too may rise to new life, no longer facing eternal death.

"That may lead to the conclusion that Christianity is only a transcendental religion, with no care for the reality of this world - that the suffering felt in this world is only answered by the salvation in another."
Not true. Christianity is a very hands on faith. We don't sit in monasteries and meditate, or leave our sick and dying in the street so as not to mess up their karma. Who started the hospitals? Christians. Who started and run the food pantries, cloth pantries, orphanages, and hospices? Christians. Christians work to alleviate the pain and suffering of others more than any other faith.

"God was good and therefore all that he created was good also." God IS good, and the original creation was good, until sin ruined it. If you hate the suffering and pain of this world, hate the source, sin.

Our task? To share the good news of grace to all whom God brings our way, and love others, care for them, be Jesus to them.

Answer 3

There are 2 motives in Christianity which will in each subject ease human suffering. they're the two chanced on contained in the e book of Hebrews Hebrews 4:15-sixteen For we've not an extreme Priest which won't be in a position to be touched with the sensation of our infirmities; yet exchange into in all factors tempted like as we are yet, without sin. sixteen enable us to subsequently come boldly unto the throne of grace that we could get carry of MERCY and charm to help in time of choose. Mercy and charm are a promise that each and every time we go through God supplies us something to ease our suffering. each Christian has experienced those 2 issues as a manner to alter right into a Christian. Mercy is God's withheld judgment. all of us are responsible of sin.yet God has withheld his judgment because of the fact of His Grace. As a believer contained in the factitious that alter into Jesus Christ,and the present He got here to make accessible, Grace is what we receive.Grace is God's unmerited divine want. those 2 issues, Mercy and charm will in each and each subject and situation (from the Christian point of view) answer the question of human suffering.

Answer 4

God created humans and they were good until Satan tempted Eve with the forbidden fruit- God made us good, but he also gave us the ability to choose, to make our own decisions. Where there is good, there is evil, because God and Satan are at war for our souls. Satan is jealous of us as humans because he felt that God loves us more, so he tries to destroy us. this is why there is sin in the world. We are beings of free will and thinking. You can believe whatever you want. I believe a Christians place is to worship God and lift his name on high, to tell all non believers that they do have hope in this world! Christians want to try to save Non believers, b/c the bible says to bear witness. If someone chooses ro not believe, at least they are making an informed decision.

Answer 5

The bible clearly tells us, as Christians, what we are to do while on this earth. We are to be witnesses to others of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, we are to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves.

The world looks the way it does because sin came into the world in the Garden of Eden. Snowballed over thousands and thousands of years, death, disease, misery, war, hate, despair, it's all a result of sin.

But there is a day coming when all will be put right. That is called the "Good News"; that Jesus Christ came to seek and save that who are lost. And one day, His perfect, just kingdom will reign forever.

Answer 6

I say the answer is for the world to just have faith in God and read the Bible so that some self discipline can be acquired. That would greatly reduce the amount of sinning world wide.

Answer 7

We are both flesh and spirit. Many who think carnal consider their temporary flesh first, God is an eternal spirit and we are taught that the spirit should rule the flesh. his message of this world is your eternal salvation which is by faith yours today but literally we must be born again.

Answer to your second question is the free will answer. God created man with a choice and man had a sin nature and did sin and separate himself from a righteous God it is the reason God paid the penalty of death for us.

Answer 8

Accepting Jesus as savior and Lord of our life is the answer. When a person gets saved, he is a new creation. The Christians that follow the bible are blessed.

Answer 9

Jesus' message is mentioned in Luke 8:1
"he went from city to city and village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God."
Preaching this "good news of the kingdom of God" is the responsibility Jesus gave to his followers.
Matthew 28:19
What is the good news of God's kingdom (or government)?
"For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, namely, to break up the works of the Devil." 1 John 3:8
The same thing is said in Daniel 2:44, but in a more powerful way.
The Christian responsibility is to preach this news until Jesus acts.

Answer 10

Their is no book in the world that has survived even 5% of what the BIBLE has. Their is no book that is as historicly accurate as the BIBLE. Their is no book THAT HAS EVER HELPED MORE PEOPLE THAN THE BIBLE. Their is no book that made more wealthy than the Bible has. Their is no book made more people happy than the Bible. Their is no book that foretold more events than the bible. If you can find another book that can do all these things tell me about it. As for your original question it is up to the christians of this world to save us. It's a pity more of us aren't trying to.

Answer 11

The human perspective cannot always see the greater good. If your mother dies perhaps you grow up to cure the disease that killed her and save 1000 lives. She may have also gone to heaven and would be in paradise.