The Problems of Pain and Evil
The problem of evil is a philosophical and theological discussion that has been debated
by the "greatest minds" of many millennia. Some choose a very simple course of
always trusting God. Some choose the opposite simple course to always distrust God. Others
genuinely look into the matter to try and develop a reasoned approach to God regarding
times of trouble.
This latter situation is the message of the book of Job. Job, a righteous man,
experienced a series of emotionally, and physically, devastating events. These came as the
result of a challenge to God by Satan--a test for a righteous man. The friends of Job
offer him varying views of why he must suffer, including the same debates we have today:
punishment for past sin, etc. Job ends with an answer from God that does not seem so much
like an answer: God says in Job 40:2
"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who
accuses God answer him!"
Should we question God? Questioning God is a broad debate unto itself
(click here). Is the problem of evil understandable without additional revelation from God? Many
philosophers believe so.
The Problem of Pain
Pain is a physical response to a stimulus. We have pain to indicate that something is
wrong with our bodies. It is a feature of our physique that actually is a blessing by
warning us of trouble to our flesh. The more severe the trouble, the more severe the pain.
Without it, could we know that we were injured?
Emotional pain results from injury to our soul. This also is a good thing, indicating
for us when we have a situation that must be corrected or avoided. This is tied to the
conscience. For those whose consciences are seared, emotional pain, in fact, emotions of
any kind, are dulled, or even non-existant.
Why, some may ask, are there bad things that cause pain? Part of the answer is in the
laws of physics. Steel, for example, is a hard object. Our relying on that fact to always
be true allows us to use steel for the production of automobiles and the construction of
bridges and buildings.
Flesh, by its nature, is soft. Being so, it allows for flexibility, mobility, and the
tender pleasures of touch.
What happens when steel meets flesh with force? It is inevitable that the flesh must
yield to steel, resulting in pain, and possibly serious injury. Should it be that way? How
can it be any different? Without absolutes in the laws of physics, we could rely on
nothing to be consistent in our experience.
Should God intervene to stop events that cause pain? Pain is God's built-in
intervention into events that are injurious. It warns us of harm. But by the nature of the
laws of physics, some events are so traumatic, that pain only signals the devastation that
has occurred.
The structural weakening of a bridge causing a collapse and injury or death is due to
another fundamental law of physics known as entropy (or the second law of thermodynamics).
Basically, all things age and grow weaker. It is the cycle of life. It is why we age and
die. So also with natural disasters and weather patterns. Again, this is a natural law
that provides for reliability and consistancy in the physical world. God's intervention in
the laws of physics would render life unpredictable.
There are some instances where there
appears to be such intervention. These are called miracles--special
events, by definition that are infrequent and extraordinary. If miracles
were commonplace, they would not be miracles.
Given the laws of physics as a constant, the remaining question regards chosen
behavior.
The Problem of Sin
Free will is the basis for evil that man perpetrates upon each other. Centuries of
debate have resulted in two predominate views of free will and determinism.
Regardless of whether one subscribes to the doctrine of free will, or the tenet of
determinism, the actions of man, however motivated, sometimes result in injury--physical
and/or emotional. We view free will as the basis for dealing with this subject, both from
the perspective of cause of evil and pain, and from the view of proper response to that
evil and pain.
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