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Would a loving God allow suffering?

Firstly think about the definition you have of a loving God. Must a loving God keep you from any pain and suffering? Does God only love towards you if you are blessed with all the good things in life? Could there be some good purposes in human suffering? See Romans 8:20-22.

Secondly, think about what God is allowing. Who is often the agent of suffering? Isn’t it often other people? Are we then asking God to work in everyone in order to alter their thoughts and behaviour in order that they don’t do harm to anyone else? Wouldn’t that make us puppets?

Thirdly, is suffering a necessarily bad thing for us? Isn’t it commonly understood that it forges character and perseverance? Could God in his love all us to suffer so that we might reap benefits? See Hebrews 12:7-11.

A good resource on the question of suffering is a small booklet by John Blanchard called "Where was God on September 11".

Other questions

• How do you know there is a God?


• When I die I’ll meet my god and you’ll meet your god.


• Why didn’t God destroy the world in the first place?


• Is eternal suffering a fair penalty for finite rebellion?


• Is Jesus an alien?

There are two ways to live. Which way will you choose? Read more ...