Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Free Will and Moral Evil

Much of the suffering in the world stems from human choices. God endowed humanity with free will, enabling genuine love and moral responsibility. As C.S. Lewis explains:

"Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having."
— C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (cslewisinstitute.org)

Without the capacity to choose, love would be meaningless. Thus, God permits moral evil as a consequence of granting humans freedom.

Natural Evil and a Fallen World

Suffering also arises from natural events like earthquakes and diseases. Christian theology teaches that the world is not as it was originally created. The fall of humanity introduced disorder into creation. As the Apostle Paul writes:

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time."
— Romans 8:22

This "groaning" reflects the brokenness of the world, awaiting restoration.

God's Positive Will vs. Permissive Will

God's will can be understood in two ways:

• Positive Will: God's desire for goodness, love, and flourishing.

• Permissive Will: What God allows, including suffering, because of human free will and the possibility of greater goods.

God does not desire suffering but permits it to respect human autonomy and to bring about greater goods.

Suffering and Christlikeness

Suffering can serve as a means to grow in character and become more like Christ. It fosters virtues such as patience, compassion, and resilience. As C.S. Lewis notes:

"We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art... He will take endless trouble—and would doubtless, thereby give endless trouble to the picture if it were sentient."
— C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (lookingatchrist.com)

Through trials, believers are refined and molded into the image of Christ.

The Depth of Love Through Suffering

Love that endures suffering reflects the deepest form of commitment. Sacrificial love mirrors God's nature. As Lewis eloquently states:

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken... To love is to be vulnerable."
— C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves (goodreads.com)

Such love, demonstrated supremely in Christ's sacrifice, reveals the profound beauty of choosing love amidst pain.

The Cross: God's Answer to Suffering

Christianity uniquely presents a God who enters into human suffering. In Jesus, God experiences pain, rejection, and death. The cross stands as a testament to God's solidarity with humanity's suffering and His commitment to redemption.

The Promise of Redemption

The Christian hope lies in the promise that God will ultimately eradicate suffering. Scripture envisions a renewed creation:

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain."
— Revelation 21:4

This assurance offers comfort and a future where suffering is no more.

Conclusion

While suffering remains a profound mystery, Christianity provides a framework that acknowledges human freedom, the transformative power of trials, and the hope of ultimate restoration. Through Christ's example and God's promises, believers find meaning and purpose amidst pain.