God and Suffering

http://the-american-catholic.com ^ | October 15, 2013 | Donald R. McClarey

[NKP_Vet]

As superb look at suffering by Dr. Peter Kreeft, courtesy of Prager University. I agree with his division of suffering into what Man causes through our actions, wars are a classic example, and suffering caused by nature, the type of suffering caused by the seizure that took the life of my son Larry on May 19, 2013. He is also correct that when we complain about such suffering afflicted by nature we are appealing to a standard that presupposes a God, since nature cares not a whit about human suffering or the lack whereof. It is only by belief in God that the scales of what occurs to us in this brief life are ever balanced. To us death is often regarded as the greatest of evils. To God physical death is merely our gateway to Him. CS Lewis captured this perfectly in Letter 28 of his Screwtape Letters:

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TOPICS: History; Prayer; Religion & Culture; Theology
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[stonehouse01]

Thank you for the post. I have recently become aware of the Prosperity (Health and Wealth Gospel) movement. I hadn’t really even known of its existence, but apparently its been around since the late 1800’s. It is in direct opposition to the correct theology that recognizes suffering and its relationship to free will.

Anyway it makes me nervous to realize how many are starting to think that if they say and affirm it, they can use “god’s power” to grow rich and have good health.

[johngrace]

He helps are needs not our greeds. Amen.

[mlizzy]

I have not read any of Peter Kreeft, but just watched the YouTube "God and Suffering," and then found some lengthy commentary on Amazon regarding "Making Sense Out Of Suffering," by Peter Kreeft, which in part states:

On page 84, he claims that suffering is good because it gives us good stories to tell. I can tell good stories, even without suffering, so this logic is balogne. On page 143, he claims that we should stop looking for an out to suffering, which is neither true, nor is it what you want to tell a person who's in pain, and on page 146, he makes the claim that joy comes from following God's will, even when he wants us to suffer. Problem 1 is that God doesn't want us to suffer; he wants us to improve through suffering. Problem 2 is that when we suffer, we are in pain, regardless of how much we may want to follow God's will... --K. Ostrowski

Kreeft seems to be speaking more to a lukewarm Christian, someone fallen away, maybe? My favorite book for the sufferer was/is "Imitation of Christ," by Thomas à Kempis. Taken to heart, one may well have the best confessions ever during the course of reading it. And confession, in and of itself, is a salve for the sufferer.

Thanks for this thread; I enjoyed reading CS Lewis' Letter 28, and my condolences to the author of this post regarding the loss of his son earlier in the year. So very sad.