Resources by Topic: Suffering and Evil

Here are three things to remember when we’re called upon to comfort those who are grieving, especially during this holiday season.

That Bart Ehrman was a “devout and com­mitted Christian” is his claim, not mine. What isn’t debatable is that he once was part of the evangelical subculture. Unfortunately, Ehrman’s Christian-to-non-theist testimony gives apparent credibility to his claims, so he functions as a winsome evangelist for atheism.

While people living in relative comfort reject faith in God due to the problem of evil, those subjected to the worst evil and suffering often turn to God. Isn’t it remarkable that from Sudan to China to Cambodia to El Salvador, faith in God grows deepest in places where evil and suffering have been greatest?

One reason the problem of evil and suffering can seem so acute to us is the cumulative weight we feel from media oversaturation. At most, people used to bear the sufferings of their own families, communities, or nations. Now, through instant access to global events, we witness the sufferings of an entire world. 

Last year John Piper wrote an article titled “No Maverick Cells in Me: My Deepest Hope During Cancer.” Nanci and I first read this while she was undergoing cancer treatments, and it really encouraged us. It’s an apt reminder for us again, as we are in another season of waiting and uncertainty related to Nanci’s latest test results.

Years ago I was asked, “Have you ever been personally aware of being in the presence of demons? Have you ever been aware of a guardian angel doing something on your behalf?”

In this article, John Piper answers the question, “Does God Scare Us into Saving Faith?” Given the way that the doctrine of an eternal Hell is under attack even in many Christian churches, this is an important topic to think through.

I lost my son last year in an accident. I know he is in Heaven with Jesus, but I miss him so much. He was a wonderful person. Why does God allow people like him to die while evil people still live on the earth?

Last Saturday, April 20, was the 20th anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School. Like many of us, I vividly remember the shock as the events unfolded

I love the apostle Paul, I love his God-breathed words in Scripture, and I love what he understood and said about suffering. And I love John Piper too—so it was a no brainer to feature this excellent article.

I really appreciated this 20-minute interview about chronic pain with Dave Furman, a church planting pastor/missionary in Dubai and the author of Kiss the Wave: Embracing God in Your Trials. 

Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Pastor Todd Dubord with Mt. Lassen Community Church on the subject of happiness. In this clip, Randy talks about the connection of suffering and being more like Christ.

Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Pastor Todd Dubord with Mt. Lassen Community Church on the subject of happiness. In this clip, Randy speaks on the importance of God's Word in hard times. 

Randy Alcorn was interviewed by Pastor Todd Dubord with Mt. Lassen Community Church on the subject of happiness. In this clip, Randy talks about the things we should avoid in hard times so we don't miss out on God's happiness.