Explain the view of God expressed by those communities that have consistently experienced suffering and articulate how this helps us understand suffering.

Case Study III – The Goodness of God and Suffering

General Instructions:
The case study response is to be 7-8 pages in length and typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman, with 1” margins on each side.
Your response must show an understanding of the fears or concerns that might arise here.
Proper grammar, spelling, and style are required and your response must be concise and relevant, covering each of the points in the order given.
You must cite the sources you are using in proper MLA format which includes in-text citation and a Works Cited.

Your pastors have been struggling for a few years to have a child. Recently they gave birth to a seemingly healthy baby, but within two months the child mysteriously became sick and died. The church staff, the church family, churches in the community and many others from around the country had been praying for the recovery of this child, but to no avail. Everyone is devastated including you. A few days after the child’s death, one of the church members comes by for a visit, visibly distraught. For the next twenty minutes this person pours out the mix of anger, frustration, confusion, and dismay the person is feeling. You can also tell there is a sense of shame about having these feelings. As you listen, you realize that the issue the person keeps returning to is questioning how we (Christians) can consider God good if God allows such things to happen. How is God good if children die? How is God good if good people like your pastors can’t have children and when they do, the child dies? You also recognize that the best way to give this person a thorough enough answer is to walk them through the issue using the theological method you’ve learned.

Craft a response to this situation that incorporates the entire theological method discussed in class. As you address each point explain to the person why we look at each of these steps in the theological method and what we look for when doing them (consult your notes from the various lectures throughout the semester):

Experience/Biblical Theology – Utilizing the Psalms, show how someone who has strong emotions even strong negative emotions toward God don’t need to be afraid or ashamed to take his or her anger, frustration, confusion or dismay to God in prayer.

Biblical Theology – Explain (using important passages) the biblical witness concerning God’s goodness and human suffering. You’ll need to address whether God is considered good, God’s relationship to human suffering, and whether there is value in human suffering. Use the worksheet on Divine Goodness and Suffering (on Moodle)

Tradition – Illustrate from the tradition how the Church has understood the ultimate source of human suffering. Analyze and synthesize information from sections 3.2, 3.6, 3.14; 6.10, 6.13 (4th Edition) 3.2, 3.6, 3.13, 6.7, 6.9 (5th Edition) of Christian Theology Reader.

Philosophy – In light of the tendency of some to deny God’s existence due to the reality of suffering and especially suffering caused by evil acts, briefly explain the logical and evidential arguments from evil indicating how these problems can be resolved philosophically (Use pp. 158-164, 186 of God Under Fire for this part). In light of the tendency of some to assert that the presence of suffering indicates God is not in control, briefly explain and defend a strong view of providence in the midst of great suffering (Use pp. 188-192, 200-207 of God Under Fire for this section).

Community – In light of the prayers for the child’s healing that seemingly were not answered, address how Charismatic/Pentecostals balance the idea that God can and does miraculously relieve suffering, but not in all situations. Use Chapter 7, sections IV, and XI-XIII of Foundations of Pentecostal Theology (This excerpt is taken from a different edition but it’s on Moodle) and Yong’s, Renewing Christian Theology: Systematics for a Global Theology, section 8.3-4. You must critique Duffield and Van Cleave’s position concerning why people do not receive healing.

Community – Explain the view of God expressed by those communities that have consistently experienced suffering and articulate how this helps us understand suffering. Research Liberation (Black, Hispanic, etc.) or Feminist theologies for insight into the way the experience of suffering shapes theology. An excellent example is the conclusion to James Cone’s, The Cross and the Lynching Tree. (see the ‘Community Perspectives’ section of your course bibliography for suggestions. The course bibliography is the last section of the course outline).

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