Does the Bible provide an adequate answer to the Problem of Suffering?

[Alonzo E Thornton, D.Min.]

The following is my personal analysis of “The Great Debate” at Ohio State University between authors and scholars Dr. Michael Brown and Dr. Bart Ehrman. This debate was co-sponsored by Ratio Christi, a ministry of Southern Evangelical Seminary. This debate took place on April 15, 2010 as both men responded to the question “does the Bible provide an adequate answer to the problem of suffering? To hear this debate, you can find it at: http://askdrbrown.org/.

My overview and analysis.

Dr. Brown apologetically argued the affirmative view not only passionately, but also theologically and from a personal level. Dr. Ehrman, regrettably being a biblical scholar, failed in his many years of study to convince anyone who knows scripture, that his position was creditable. He was able to subjectively, as well as humanistically argue his position quite well.

Before Dr. Ehrman even spoke his weak position, Dr. Brown's well-presented grid for the affirmative view, pretty much ended any hope for Dr. Ehrman to fair well in his presentation. Notice these key points from Dr. Brown presentation that check mated Dr. Ehrman and essentially directed me to the conclusion that Dr. Ehrman wasn't truly reborn, and that the very book [The Holy Scriptures] that Ehrman states does little in addressing human sufferance, wasn't capable to explain to his own personal sufferance-thus he in essence is blaming God. Notice these key points from Brown perspective:

Do not remove God from the center of Life-, which Ehrman has done.

Because of the law of sin/death in this life-there is a dualistic nature in humanity that is established by the act of ones will [evil vs. righteousness].

Life and freedom has consequences-which is governed by God's mercy.

This current life is a transitional age-with the Perfect Righteous Kingdom to come-thus pains, groaning are the early birth-pangs of the future regeneration of all things.

There is a redemptive side of suffering if God remains in His lofted position, and not down on our finite level.

There is growth through suffering [compassion, character etc.]

God is hurt by suffering and shares in all forms of suffering. This evil of human suffering is a distortion of God's ideal for humanity.

There is much more that we will never know behind the scenes that God and only He knows.

Those who suffer in the presence of God-it is not suffering at all.

Dr. Ehrman over-sighted absence of the covenant binding agreement of God and Israel was major, as he failed to argue that the ancient prophets [as Ehrman assets], all blame God on the sufferance of Israel. He not only is blaming God but incorrectly summarizes that God has somehow removed Himself out the human affairs by not intervening to stop suffering in the earth. Dr. Ehrman has essentially rejected any hope that he has for protection, deliverance from evil in this life and the life to come. He hasn't encountered the Living God personally thus it is so easy for him/and others to argue [and reject] humanistically, against the existence of God. He hasn't experienced the saving grace of Messiah.

For these reasons, I'm sad yet prayerful that he will somehow encounter the saving grace and mercy of Messiah in this life, for Dr. Ehrman and all of us will continue to experience suffering in this life, whether or not we deserve it or not, or if we can explain the whys of events happening to us.

Grace and Peace

Brother Alonzoe' Thornton

Sharing the Light of The Messiah…until He Returns.