#946
Mentioned in 24 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 24 episodes

Mentioned by
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John Dickson
as a book written by C.S. Lewis.
94 snips
147. On Hell
Mentioned by
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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
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Matthew Syed
when discussing the theme of suffering and meaning in spiritual and religious texts.
22 snips
68. Bliss in Suffering
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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
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John Ortberg
when he reads words about joy from it.
17 snips
8. Social Media is Stealing Your Joy | John Ortberg & Chuck Bergstrom
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Joseph Lee
for its evocative description of the numinous.
15 snips
Sacred Symptoms: How the Numinous Heals
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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 when discussing his reservations about the doctrine of hell before and after becoming a Christian.
13 snips
Jesus Teaches: Hell & Temptation
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Mark Phillips
and
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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
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John Eldredge
in the discussion of God's will and human choice.
E820 | John Responds to Your Questions
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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
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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)
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Fr. Mike Schmitz
as a book C.S. Lewis wrote about the mystery of suffering.
Day 206: Healing the Sick (2025)
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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
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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
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Erik Rostad
as another of C.S. Lewis's well-known books on Christian apologetics.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
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Kristi Gaultiere
while quoting a passage from it, highlighting C.S. Lewis's understanding of empathy.
From Detached to Deeply Loved
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John Dickson
when discussing the problem of pain and faith.
152. God Laments
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Gavin Ortlund
in the context of discussing animal suffering and theodicy.
Alex O'Connor on Animal Suffering: Christian Response

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