#1059

Mentioned in 23 episodes

The Problem of Pain

Book • 1940

In 'The Problem of Pain', C.S.

Lewis addresses the age-old question of how a good and all-powerful God can permit pain and suffering.

Lewis argues that human suffering is a consequence of the existence of evil and free will, and that God uses suffering as a tool to draw us nearer to Him. He categorizes pain as both physical and emotional, serving as a warning signal that alerts us to potential harm and compels us to make necessary changes.

Lewis also discusses the Fall of Man and how it led to chaos and disaster, emphasizing that God's goodness is not negated by suffering but rather evidenced through His merciful intervention.

The book concludes by reassuring that God's wisdom is infinitely superior to ours and that pain eventually leads us back to a loving relationship with our Creator.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 23 episodes

Mentioned by

John Dickson

as a book written by C.S. Lewis.

121 snips

147. On Hell

Mentioned by

Justin Brierley

as an example of an author who masterfully combined rational apologetics with imaginative storytelling.

48 snips

CNLP 713 | The Decline of the New Atheism: Justin Brierley on The Openness of Thinkers Like Jordan Peterson and How to Have Conversations With Spiritually Open People

Mentioned by

Matthew Syed

when discussing the theme of suffering and meaning in spiritual and religious texts.

22 snips

68. Bliss in Suffering

Mentioned by

Frank Turek

in the context of comparing humans as moist robots and reacting instead of reasoning to a conclusion.

19 snips

A TRUE Story That Will Change Your Life Forever with Greg Koukl

Mentioned by

John Ortberg

when he reads words about joy from it.

17 snips

8. Social Media is Stealing Your Joy | John Ortberg & Chuck Bergstrom

Mentioned by

Joseph Lee

for its evocative description of the numinous.

15 snips

Sacred Symptoms: How the Numinous Heals

Mentioned by

Ruth Jackson

as one of the two most seminal works around pain and suffering.

14 snips

#08 C.S. Lewis on the problem of pain

Mentioned by

Fr. Mike Schmitz

as a book C.S. Lewis wrote about the mystery of suffering.

12 snips

Day 206: Healing the Sick (2025)

Mentioned by

Mark Phillips

and

Eric Margrave

when discussing the problem of pain and suffering, and how faith can be maintained in the face of adversity.

11 snips

CS Lewis’s Problem of Pain, with Eric Margrave

Mentioned by

John Eldredge

in the discussion of God's will and human choice.

E820 | John Responds to Your Questions

Mentioned by

Caitlin West

when discussing the topic of suffering and healing.

23 - The Anointing of the Sick

Mentioned as the book that prompted C.S. Lewis to be invited to share his message on the BBC.

8.11.25 Legal Docket on regulating speech, Moneybeat on the Fed nominee, and History Book on the foundation for Mere Christianity

Mentioned by

Michael Ward

as a book where the author explores the nature of love and vulnerability.

Bonus Episode: C.S. Lewis, God, and Tears (feat. Michael Ward)

Mentioned by

John Ortberg

while discussing the concept of pruning and God's work in our lives, referencing Lewis's perspective on pain and suffering.

20. Pruning! | John Ortberg

Mentioned by

Erik Rostad

as another of C.S. Lewis's well-known books on Christian apologetics.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Mentioned by

Timothy Paul Jones

while discussing C.S. Lewis's letters and his views on cats.

How True Crime Reveals the Truth of God, with J. Warner Wallace

Mentioned by

Kristi Gaultiere

while quoting a passage from it, highlighting C.S. Lewis's understanding of empathy.

From Detached to Deeply Loved

Mentioned by

Paul Vanderklay

as a book discussing morality and its connection to belief in God.

Jordan Peterson's Bible Archetypes Meets Scott Adam's Pandeistic Affirmation Magic

Mentioned by

Ron Squire

as the writer who states the problem of pain is not that good people suffer, but that some people do not.

Why God Let Me Fall off A Cliff—Purpose in The Pain | Ron Squire E0033

Mentioned by the speaker when discussing surrendering self-will and how pain can lead to recognizing the need for God.

Return to God | Jonah 1:17-2:10

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