Derek Thomas, a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology, delves into the complex relationship between pain and divine purpose through the lens of Job's story. He addresses the trials of suffering, emphasizing that although hardships can challenge faith, they often lead to a deeper understanding of God's nature. Thomas also explores the nuances of healing and suffering, highlighting that not everyone experiences healing, and encourages trust in God’s sovereignty through life's ups and downs.
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insights INSIGHT
God's Sovereignty Over Suffering
Nothing happens outside God's decretive will, including suffering and sickness.
God's sovereignty means events have purpose even if reasons seem unclear to us.
insights INSIGHT
The Problem of Pain Explored
The problem of pain challenges God's goodness or power, but both remain true.
Some wrongly claim God lacks control or goodness due to suffering's reality in the world.
question_answer ANECDOTE
A Preacher's Trial With Suffering
Derek Thomas recalls a faithful preacher suffering devastating illness and cursing in pain.
This illustrates how even godly people endure severe suffering beyond human understanding.
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In 'When Bad Things Happen to Good People,' Rabbi Harold S. Kushner confronts fundamental questions of life and faith, particularly the conundrum of why there is suffering in a world governed by a benevolent God. Written after the loss of his son Aaron to progeria, Kushner argues that conventional religious explanations for suffering are inadequate. He suggests that God is good but not all-powerful, and that true faith comes from confronting the randomness of life. Kushner emphasizes that God does not cause suffering but provides solace to those afflicted, and he highlights the importance of community and human support in times of tragedy. The book offers a fresh interpretation of the Book of Job and has been widely read and translated into at least 12 languages[1][3][5].
In life’s darkest hours, we must remember that the Lord is working for our good even when He permits Satan to do his worst. Today, Derek Thomas looks to the book of Job and discusses questions of pain and suffering.
Get Derek Thomas’ teaching series The Book of Job on DVD, plus lifetime digital access to all 12 video messages and the digital study guide, for your donation of any amount. We’ll also send you R.C. Sproul’s booklet Why Is There Evil?: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4090/donate Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request digital access to The Book of Job video teaching series and study guide, plus the ebook by Dr. Sproul, with your gift of any amount: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global Meet Today’s Teacher: Derek Thomas is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast.
Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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