Kate Bowler Tells Us Where We're Wrong on Suffering
Jan 31, 2024
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Historian and author Kate Bowler, who has personally experienced grief and suffering, joins Russell Moore to discuss her new book and explore the vulnerability of being human. They delve into the theology of suffering, the impact of the prosperity gospel, and the power of acts of kindness in times of trial.
Offering love and presence, rather than trying to provide a reason for suffering, is the most meaningful way to support others in their pain.
Embracing the vulnerability and unpredictability of life can lead to a deeper understanding of faith and a more honest engagement with the world around us.
Deep dives
Insights on Suffering and Support in Difficult Times
In this podcast episode, Kate Böhler, a professor at Duke Divinity School, discusses the topic of suffering and offers insights on how to support others during hard times. Böhler emphasizes the need for empathy and a willingness to admit that we often say the wrong things. She suggests different ways to be present for someone in need, such as offering practical help, providing spiritual support, or simply being a good listener. Böhler also explores the concept of precarity, the delicate and contingent nature of our lives, and how embracing this vulnerability can lead to a deeper understanding of faith. She shares personal experiences of being supported by colleagues during her battle with stage four cancer, highlighting the power of love and community. In addition, Böhler touches on the allure of the prosperity gospel, the impact of Pentecostalism on global Christianity, and the need for a nuanced understanding of hope in the face of adversity.
Challenging the Assumption of 'Everything Happens for a Reason'
Böhler addresses the popular belief that everything happens for a reason and shares her own journey of grappling with this idea after being diagnosed with cancer. She argues against the notion that suffering always carries a specific divine purpose and explains how it can be hurtful to offer this perspective to those going through hardships. Instead, Böhler suggests focusing on love and presence as the most meaningful ways to support others in their pain. She also explores the cultural and psychological factors that contribute to the rise of the prosperity gospel and the quest for material blessings in religious communities.
The Importance of Gratitude and Noticing Beauty in Ordinary Moments
Böhler highlights the significance of gratitude and cultivating an awareness of beauty in everyday life. She encourages listeners to pay attention to the ordinary and find joy in the small things. Böhler shares personal examples, such as her son's freckles and his imaginative play, as reminders of the beauty that surrounds us. She emphasizes that gratitude doesn't negate sadness or difficult circumstances, but rather offers a different perspective and deepens our connection with God.
The Range of Human Experience and the Song of Life
Böhler reflects on the multifaceted nature of human experience and compares it to a song with various notes and tones. She emphasizes that life is a mix of highs and lows, ups and downs. Böhler encourages listeners to embrace the full range of emotions and experiences, knowing that God's presence is with us in every season. She suggests that surrendering to the unpredictability of life can lead to a deeper understanding of faith and a more honest engagement with the world around us.
For historian Kate Bowler, grief and suffering are more than just a topic of interest. She’s intimately acquainted with pain herself as someone who was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, faced a small chance of survival, and lives with chronic pain. As she puts it, “I spent a long time almost dying.”
On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Bowler shares words of wisdom honed from her research and her personal life. She and Moore talk about her new bookHave a Beautiful, Terrible Day!: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweensand discuss the vulnerability of being human. They explore the anxious tenor of the modern era in a historical context and talk about the ways people discuss (or avoid discussing) hard things. They consider what it looks like to keep the faith in times of trial and how powerful acts of kindness and tenderness can be in seasons of suffering. Their conversation covers theology, Christian history, and the specific ways that the prosperity gospel has shaped evangelicalism.
Tune in for an episode that is as rich and resourceful as it is enjoyable and encouraging.
