Pastor Tobias Ahlers, Shelley Beach
If God is good, then why does He permit suffering? This often asked question is commonly known as the “problem of evil” – because if God is all powerful (and therefore can help me), why doesn’t He help me, but instead permits suffering to befall me? Either God can’t help, or He chooses not to help…
This conundrum was the focus of the Continued Education, held in Kirchdorf from the 24th to the 26th of July 2023, by Dr Gregory Schulz (from our sister synod, the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod).
Dr Schulz explained that people have a natural tendency to want to explain God’s actions; to come up with a reason something has happened – but that we must avoid this, as we usually simply don’t know the why. We do those who suffer a disservice when we try to explain their affliction or defend God’s actions [the technical term for this is theodicy]. In fact, this is a major theme in the book of Job.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9
It was pointed out that this is also the reason most self-proclaimed ‘atheists’ actually do not not-believe in God, but are in reality only upset with God’s management style; with how God is running things!
Yet Christians are not called to simply grin and bear it. The British base their “keep calm and carry on” attitude on keeping a stiff upper lip. South Africans have their “vasbyt”. Yet these coping mechanisms – based on Stoicism from Greek philosophy – are often hurtful because they lead to bottling up our emotions. Instead, we can lament to God about our situation.
Lamenting (in contrast to grumbling or complaining) is when we take our concerns and issues to God. It’s a form of prayer and even praise, and in times of suffering and pain, draws us closer to God. Lamenting acknowledges our suffering and gives expression to our anguish. It includes trusting that our gracious God will hear us, and finds comfort in the truths of His promises.
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
In giving voice to our lament, the Psalms are very helpful. Here are some well-known Psalms of Lament, as they are commonly called: 3, 6, 10, 13, 22, 38, 42-43, 44, 38, 60, 130.
“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?” – Habakkuk 1:2-3
