Towards understanding suffering
Many years ago, I read and summarised John Wenham’s thoughts on this subject. I reproduce my notes here.
1. It is good that we are free agents, not machines. This freedom to accept or reject seems essential to a living, loving relationship with God, but comes with it the possibility of sin in all its horror.
2. It is good that sn is linked with suffering as a deterrant. It may well be true that all suffering is a result of sin (Gen 3:14-19). …