Searching for Answers in Suffering Times by my friend Brett Craig

Brett Craig 4/20/2020

I approach this subject, as having faced deep and troubling times and digging deep to find or make sense of it all. It deals with the subject of suffering through the lens of various viewpoints and concludes with a researched position and practical and comforting approach to the topic. I tackle suffering, knowingly we are influenced by biases: 21^st century western cultural, scientific progress, educational institutions and media/peer influence.

Admittedly, this is a complex topic which needs a sober mind and heart.

The subject of suffering from a cultural account.  

There is a myth, a very poisonous myth in a corrupt world: “pain is necessary, but suffering is optional” It is perversely false. Suffering is inevitable, and the great challenge to life is finding purpose or meaning in suffering! 

The modern western secular society describes suffering from a natural selection process. They espouse that competitive struggles have caused us harm and the magnitude everyone suffers includes differences in genes, experiences, personalities and social settings. It ultimately reduces suffering down to negative or positive psychology, and the human being having the capacity to face it or not.

The warrior “shame and honor” cultures demand individual freedom and the suffering that comes along side that, be put aside, for the greater good of societal contribution. They accept suffering readily and by in large embrace it.

The major eastern karmic religions purport there is no form of inherent evil, and suffering is a normal part of life.

Buddhism focuses on how to deal and fundamentally overcome suffering. They believe by overcoming suffering (enlightenment), a person will be genuinely happy. Their doctrine is the Four Noble truths. These, in summary, state suffering exists and to overcome it you must detach from any form of desire. In one sense, this religion is centrally focused on suffering, given it speaks to a broader sense of social compassion. However, in another sense, it avoids suffering by indicating the only way to enlightenment is through personal detachment.  

Hinduism believes in the doctrines of continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation and karma (the universal law of cause and effect). Pain and suffering are not seen as solely bad but experiences that need to be viewed from multiple perspectives. To view suffering as bad is to see only one side of it. Suffering can be positive as it leads to progress on a spiritual path. The goal is distinguishing all desires and to reach the pinnacle or highest order in the karma cycle, and, to join the supreme (all soul) state, “nirvana”. In this current and ongoing long-term journey, humans give up personal desire to love and relate and become one with an impersonal (all soul) state.

The monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Islam and Christianity maintain suffering is a consequence of evil and man’s corruptness.  A birth that roots itself in two biblical events:

Evil…The Bible states in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Revelation 12:7-9, Lucifer  possibly the most preeminent angel in God’s kingdom, outside of Michael, pridefully defies God, and is cast out of heaven “like lighting” with a third of the angels. His inherent being immediately transforms and usher’s evil in the world.

Man’s corruptness…The Bible in Genesis 3 summarizes an account of a human representative, Adam, defying God and his command. Adam’s defiance results in an immediate shift, whereby man assumes intrinsic corruption vs. inherent goodness.

The Bible also states Satan continues to disrupt, tempt and afflict suffering, as referenced in certain NT biblical passages; (2 Corinthians 11:3; Mark 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:5).

The Bible reveals these rebellions orchestrated a response from God, whereby the created order is now suffering the penal consequences of Satan’s and Man’s defiance.

However, “Why are we today suffering the consequences of God’s decision and actions?”  The Bible states God’s nature is comprehensive; (holy, sovereign, loving, longsuffering etc.). Holiness is outlined as God’s foundation, holy meaning “set apart”. Consequently, God cannot align with unholiness; Satan, (1/3 of his angels), man, nations and nature. For that, the Bible states God must objectively administer without prejudice His just and sovereign judgement. It also states, God provides a resolution to His judgment through atoning work. However, this atoning work is treated differently in the monotheistic theologies.

Islam makes reasonable progress in addressing and interpreting suffering as a test of faith. Islam teaches that the knowledge of right and wrong is intrinsic to human nature. Humans have the free will to choose, and the believer is to use Allah (God) as the guidance of good or be swayed by the evil tempter (the devil). Islamic believers are to follow the writings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, as strict guidance on how to lead a life.  Since Muslim’s believe Allah is in control, they try to see a purpose in suffering. They understand this as Allah’s way to educate them, or as retribution for wrongdoing, or as test. If they remain resolute, there teachings espouse they will be atoned for and rewarded in the afterlife (heaven) for their earthly works and faith but admit there are no assurances until God’s ultimate judgment.

Christianity, an offshoot of Judaism, is a faith system based on the teachings and works of Jesus Christ, who taught and preached regarding this world and the world to come.

Christianity deals with suffering in the following ways:

First, it historically underscores and presents to you a God who came into this world and suffered. As recorded, Jesus Christ, experienced unjust suffering through; slander (Jewish Council), betrayal (Judas Iscariot), abandonment (most of his disciples), and murder (Crucifixion). No other religion or worldview asserts anything like this.

Second, it promises a future hope and the absence of suffering, through a personal relationship with God in the afterlife (heaven). Again, no other religion implies this.  Hinduism speaks to an “impersonal” relationship in the cycle of incarnation, and Islam cannot “promise” a loving, peaceful relationship with Allah in the afterlife (heaven).

Third, Christianity offers the idea of a resurrection. Resurrection is a promise that the believer will “individually” rise from the dead into a “individual” life of renewal. A life which is restored and enjoys an ultimate state of peace, joy and love.  This is comparatively different vs. Buddhism, Hinduism or Humanism. Humanism denotes no renewed afterlife, whatsoever. In fact, it states we will return to the dust of the ground when we die with no life continuation. Buddhism and Hinduism claim a reincarnated cycle of life, potentially resulting in an eventual state of (all soul) bliss, losing any form of individual personality.      

Fourth, the Christian faith speaks to an individual maturation process through suffering. Islam communicates Allah strengthens faith through suffering. Humanism runs from suffering and presents an argument against the existence of God. Other faiths project no tangible benefit from suffering, other than contributing to an aspirational lifecycle.  

Fifth, it offers a redemptive atoning solution through a substitute.  As mentioned earlier, God has subjected his holy wrath onto this world due to evil and man’s corruptness. Christianity is the only religion that provides a truthful, redemptive answer. God bestowed a perfect sacrificial candidate, His Son, through His Son’s willful submission, to assume God’s holy wrath on our behalf.  

In summary, the subject of suffering is difficult and exasperating. That said, based on my research and ultimate faith, Christianity provides the most rational, emotionally and spiritually genuine response to suffering.

How then we should we practically respond to suffering?

Dr. Timothy Keller, Christian Theologian and Pastor indicates the best way to face trouble, is to be guided by the following:

1. Weep but Trust.  The Book of Job is a great example. The most important aspect with this book is you find Job never turning away from God, while there is an emotional realism through his questions to God; (e.g. Why was he born?)

2. Pray but Think.  You find in the Book Job; Job wrestling, praying, struggling with his conditions. He, too, intelligently concludes it is for his good and God’s supremacy. Job 23:10 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold”  

3. Reorder and Hope. When suffering hits reprioritization is “front and center” in your life. It gives the sufferer the ability to rethink priorities before it is too late.