Debriefing Week Three – Suffering, Tragedy and the Problem of Evil
Last night, we worked through the central theme of The Shack, Mack’s struggle with the reality of profound evil in the world. The Shack deals with the effects of suffering, tragedy, and evil on one’s relationship with God. Why does God allow suffering? Or in Mack’s case, why did Missy have to suffer and die?
I tried to frame the issue around a question that each of us needs to think about in terms of our relationship with God: Do I believe that God has my best interests at heart? The presence of suffering and tragedy serves as perhaps the strongest test of this question.
Continue to send in your questions and comments.
Here is a link to the last night’s slide show. Click here.
Also, see my essay “The Problem of Evil: a biblical response”
Here are some additional links to helpful resources for thinking about a Christian understanding of suffering, tragedy, and faith:
Essay by Peter Kreeft, a professor at Boston College and one of Christianity’s ablest thinkers and communicators
A good discussionof the problem of evil and ways that Christians have understood it.
This site summarizes philosophical arguments that support a belief in God in the face of evil.
