RELIGION > What The Bible Say Yes! The God Of Suffering Posted by Reverend Kemoh Sulaiman on May 20, 2008, 00:06

Before reading this article, it would enhance your understanding if you read the Standard Times article entitled The God of Suffering? Under Religion and posted on March 15^th, 2008. This article seeks to answer the question with a Yes. 

The article asking the question, “The God of suffering?” is a good example of classical theodicy. For the purpose of clarity, theodicy is trying to explain the goodness and power of God in the midst of evil and suffering. The writer carefully balanced God’s  attributes,  with the existence of suffering and evil.   Questioning the goodness of God in the midst of suffering and pain, is nothing new in the world.

According to Thomas C. Oden on page 223 of Pastoral Theology, “Theodicy means to speak justly of God amid the awesome fact of suffering.” Oden continued, “Its task is to vindicate the divine attributes, especially justice, mercy, and love, in relation to the continuing existence of evil.”  The existence of evil is a reality as the existence of good. The existence of suffering is another reality as the existence of happiness. Yes, Christianity teaches that God is good and all that was created is also good. However, Christians are not the only people encountering difficulties explaining suffering and evil in the world. 

Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Atheists, and other religions,  have questionable explanations for why people suffer. Tragedies do not only strike Christians.  Every living being at some point will face some form of adversity. Understanding suffering, as against God’s power and goodness is problematic for all religions. The writer used Christianity to lay out the argument. As a Christian theologian and scholar, I  would like to answer with an affirmative YES!

Yes! The God of Suffering. In the midst of agonizing suffering, God is still loving, caring and merciful. God does not cease to be God because of evil and suffering. Come rain or shine, God will be God. Our self-determination and choices we make have effects. Adam chose to eat the fruit.  He was not forced by Eve or the tempter. We make choices and then blame God when things go wrong. We try to fault God when we face the naked consequences of our actions.

Nevertheless, suffering and pain are necessary ingredients for spiritual formation and growth. God increases our capacity for joy and gladness out of the sorrow and afflictions we have experienced. Furthermore, there is no suffering that God cannot pierce with outcomes that are good. Read the biography of powerful people of God, you will see suffering behind their grandeur. If nothing else the awareness that God is present in our lives in both its joy and sorrow should convince us that we are never alone. God is around all the time.

Suffering can lead to despair and brokenness. But a wise individual said, “A broken vessel is all the potter (God) needs to perform a miracle.” Yes! God is the God of the brokenhearted and oppressed. God is the God of liberation.  God understands human suffering. God’s goal is always to bring redemption, salvation and deliverance to suffering people. God stands in solidarity with the suffering masses of the world.  YES! The God of Suffering.

Blessing and Peace,

Rev. Kemoh Sulimani Jr.