Question 5: Why does God allow suffering?
Adam Barr
June, 2019
As a pastor, I have had the chance to witness acts of unbelievable kindness and love. People, both Christian and non-Christian, have floored me with their selflessness. In moments like these, it is like God pulling back the curtain on heaven and waving. His goodness is on display, reflected in humanity.
I have also sat with people as they wept and even raged, suffering under the assault of terrible circumstances and tragic loss. I have heard stories and witnessed the terror that people can inflict on people. A few times, I have sat across from those who have done horrible things. Looking into some people’s eyes, it is like Satan is glaring back.
This very good, very beautiful world is also very broken. Sometimes, it feels like landmines have been planted in the field of existence and only the lucky people make it out without losing something precious.
Everyone has to come to grips with these realities. As Christians, we have been given answers that can help us navigate them with faith, hope, and love. We do not minimize the reality of evil and suffering. We do not try to say, “Things really aren’t that bad.” In fact, as believers in the Gospel, we can fully identify and acknowledge the evil that happens in this world. But in the face of that evil, we have answers.
First, we must address an underlying assumption many of us carry. It is this: An all-powerful, all-loving God would create a world without evil or suffering. This assumption seems to make sense to us at first glance. When we look at our own lives, we reason, “If I could prevent the people I love from ever suffering, then I would do it.” If we would do that, then we would expect God to as well.
But this working assumption is missing some important elements of truth. As people who worship a crucified and risen Lord, we have a conviction that is deeper than our own assumptions and common sense. It is this: The Sovereign Creator can bring a greater good out of terrible circumstances.
We believe that God created this world so that we could know Him and be known by Him. And God is not simply an all-powerful Creator. He is a loving, rescuing Redeemer. God is not simply the omnipotent deity who called the universe into being. He is the crownless King who was born in a stable. In other words, some things about God could only be revealed if we were allowed to rebel against Him.
"We do not try to say, “Things really aren’t that bad.” In fact, as believers in the Gospel, we can fully identify and acknowledge the evil that happens in this world. But in the face of that evil, we have answers."
While common sense might say that it is loving to protect someone from any kind of suffering, that way of thinking would never produce creatures that could respond to grace with hearts of mature love. Think about the components of a mature, virtuous person: patience, kindness, compassion, courage, humility, etc. Now, ask yourself a question: How many of those qualities could exist in a world without struggle?
There is indeed something good and pure about someone who has no concept of struggle. That kind of innocence is beautiful. But I would contend there is a deeper beauty in the face of someone who has been through the fire of life and knows what it means to love in the face of hate, forgive in the face of injustice, extend compassion in the face of need and courageously persevere in the face of fear.
This gives us a clue about God’s intentions. He doesn’t simply want innocent children, ignorant of tough choices and trials. He wants mature champions who understand what it means to choose love even when it is tough. And He gives us His Holy Spirit to help us toward that goal.
As Christians, we believe that our good God will bring amazing good out of the total of human history. While we do not presume to have an answer for every specific instance of suffering, we do have a perspective that helps us persevere in faith, hope, and love. It is this: We know he brings good out of evil because we have seen him do it! God put skin in the game. He faced the worst that humanity had to offer. The most innocent One allowed the evil one to have his way with Him on the Cross. Then He rose again. Jesus was victorious over the greatest evil ever.
When we embrace the Crucified One as our Lord, we are given an answer that runs much deeper than logic and philosophy. He embraces us back and walks with us through the trials. He does so as a companion who understands exactly what we are going through. That is good news!
Adam T. Barr (MDiv, ThM) serves as senior pastor at Peace Church near Grand Rapids Michigan. In addition to his work in the local church, Adam speaks and writes on Christianity and culture, helping followers of Jesus understand and apply God’s Word in an increasingly post-Christian society. His most recent book, Compassion Without Compromise, is available through Bethany House.
