Mathematics professor John Lennox and moderator Rosemary Avery discuss the problem of evil, the goodness of God, and the Christian perspective on pain and suffering. They explore different worldviews, the origins of mental pain, God's view on justice in the Bible, and the concept of judgment in relation to human suffering.
Trusting in God's presence in suffering is more meaningful than seeking logical explanations for tragedies.
Faith in God can provide significant comfort and support in dealing with mental pain and suffering.
Deep dives
The Problem of Evil: Exploring Suffering and the Christian Response
Despite suffering, the speaker finds reason to trust in God through the demonstration of God's presence in suffering, rather than a logical explanation. The speaker reflects on the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines and questions the meaning in such tragedies. The discussion touches on different responses to pain and suffering, including acceptance, hardening of the heart, and withdrawal. The importance of respecting different worldviews and learning from others is emphasized. The Christian response to suffering is rooted in the belief that God will ultimately bring justice and make things right, contrasting atheism, which offers no such hope.
Mental Pain and Suffering: Faith in God as a Source of Comfort
The conversation turns to the topic of mental pain and suffering, particularly depression and anxiety. The speaker acknowledges the widespread prevalence of these conditions and the devastating impact on individuals and their loved ones. While recognizing various potential sources of mental suffering, the speaker notes the scientific evidence that faith in God can provide significant comfort and support in dealing with depression. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the various sources of mental pain, but highlights the role of faith in offering solace and resilience.
The Bigger Picture: Understanding Moral and Natural Evil
The discussion delves into the complex question of moral and natural evil, particularly in the context of God's actions in the Old Testament. The speaker challenges the notion that the extreme language in certain psalms reflects God's attitude, suggesting that they are expressions of human emotions and not necessarily reflective of God's perspective. The speaker explores the ethics of God's justice in the Old Testament, focusing on the invasion of Canaan and the commandments given to Joshua. The speaker suggests that these actions were responses to extreme wickedness rather than mere ethnic cleansing, and that they should be understood within the larger context of God's redemptive purposes.
God's Character and the Question of Justice
The conversation examines the question of whether God's character and approach to justice have changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The speaker addresses the perception that God is an angry God in the Old Testament and emphasizes that God is a God of mercy and long-suffering in both the Old and New Testaments. The speaker also confronts the challenge of how to reconcile God's actions in the Old Testament with Jesus' teachings of love, peace, and turning the other cheek. The speaker encourages a deeper understanding of the larger biblical narrative and the concept of judgment, expressing hope in the final judgment as an avenue for justice and the resolution of suffering.
On November 8th, 2013, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones in recorded history hit the Philippines. Winds as high as 145 MPH tore through communities, causing $3B damage and killing over six thousand people.
A few weeks later, the Forum in this episode took place. The world was still grappling with what happened, wondering what meaning could be found in such a tragedy — or if there was any meaning at all.
In this 27-minute excerpt, you’ll have the space to mull over these questions of meaning. You’ll hear from John Lennox, a professor emeritus of mathematics at Oxford, and moderator Rosemary Avery, a professor of public policy at Cornell. They discuss the problem of evil, the goodness of God, and what the Christian scriptures suggest we do when our “whys” remain unanswered.