Biblical explanation
repeatedly describes creation as good (). Death and suffering are introduced after humanity's fall into sin (). Scripture does not portray God as the author of sin. says that God does not tempt people with evil. says, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” The Bible also presents genuine freedom as important. says, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Love cannot be genuine if obedience is forced. The book of Job provides one of Scripture's clearest examinations of suffering. Job's suffering was not presented as punishment for some secret sin. Instead, the opening chapters reveal a conflict involving Satan and God's character (-2). God does not always immediately explain why an individual suffers. Job eventually receives a larger revelation of God's wisdom and sovereignty rather than a simple explanation for every event (-42). The greatest answer to suffering is found in Christ. Jesus entered a world of pain, suffered Himself, and died for humanity. describes the suffering Servant, while says that Christ can sympathize with our weaknesses. The Bible ends with God's promise to remove suffering permanently: “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying” (). The Bible does not explain the specific reason behind every individual tragedy. It does, however, give a broad explanation for the entrance of sin and death, reveal God's response to evil, and promise its ultimate destruction.
In brief
repeatedly describes creation as good ().
Bible references
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