Curiously Kaitlyn Why does God make sad things when he's sad about them?
Aug 26, 2025
Dr. Barry Jones, a theologian and senior pastor of Irving Bible Church, joins Kaitlyn to explore the complex relationship between divine grief and human suffering. He discusses why God allows sadness and suffering, emphasizing that God's own grief can bring comfort to us. The pair delve into biblical narratives, including Jesus weeping at Lazarus' tomb, illustrating God's deep empathy. They also encourage embracing tough questions about faith while trusting in God's goodness amidst life's challenges.
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God Allows, Not Causes, Sadness
- The question should be reframed: God allows sad things rather than actively makes them happen.
- God grants genuine human freedom so love can be given freely, which explains much of why suffering occurs.
God's Grief Is Real And Proportionate
- Scripture affirms God experiences emotion but not like fallen humans who are overwhelmed.
- Alvin Plantinga and biblical texts suggest God's capacity for grief is immense and meaningful for sufferers.
Flood Story Shows Divine Grief
- The Genesis flood story shows God grieving over a world ruined by sin, contrasting pagan fickle gods.
- Genesis twice says God is grieved, highlighting divine sorrow at how sin vandalized creation.
