Bad Things Happen to Good People - Revision history

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	::''What is lacking:'' although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that Christ’s atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of “messianic woes” to be endured before the end comes; cf. Mk 13:8, ~~19â€“20~~, 24 and the note on Mt 23:~~29â€“32~~. Others suggest that Paul’s mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.<ref>[http://www.usccb.org/bible/col/1:24#59001024-2 Note on Col 1:24.]</ref>		::''What is lacking:'' although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that Christ’s atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of “messianic woes” to be endured before the end comes; cf. Mk 13:8, 19-20, 24 and the note on Mt 23:29-32. Others suggest that Paul’s mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.<ref>[http://www.usccb.org/bible/col/1:24#59001024-2 Note on Col 1:24.]</ref>

	:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112		:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112

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	The simple-minded or [[Triumphalism\|triumphalistic]] view of some believers is that those who trust in God should be protected from all harm. Good people deserve good things; bad people deserve bad things. For such people, the experience that innocent people suffer and wicked people prosper often causes them to lose their "faith" in God. They have built their house on sand and it is no wonder that it collapses when the first storm strikes it.		The simple-minded or [[Triumphalism\|triumphalistic]] view of some believers is that those who trust in God should be protected from all harm. Good people deserve good things; bad people deserve bad things. For such people, the experience that innocent people suffer and wicked people prosper often causes them to lose their "faith" in God. They have built their house on sand and it is no wonder that it collapses when the first storm strikes it.

	:: Studies in traumatic events suggest a possible link between suffering, anger toward God, and doubts about ~~Godâ€™s~~ existence. According to Cook and Wimberly (1983), 33% of parents who suffered the death of a child reported doubts about God in the first year of bereavement. In another study, 90% of mothers who had given birth to a profoundly retarded child voiced doubts about the existence of God (Childs, 1985). Our survey research with undergraduates has focused directly on the association between anger at God and self-reported drops in belief (Exline et al., 2004). In the wake of a negative life event, anger toward God predicted decreased belief in ~~Godâ€™s~~ existence.[http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2011/01/when-atheists-are-angry-at-god]		:: Studies in traumatic events suggest a possible link between suffering, anger toward God, and doubts about God’s existence. According to Cook and Wimberly (1983), 33% of parents who suffered the death of a child reported doubts about God in the first year of bereavement. In another study, 90% of mothers who had given birth to a profoundly retarded child voiced doubts about the existence of God (Childs, 1985). Our survey research with undergraduates has focused directly on the association between anger at God and self-reported drops in belief (Exline et al., 2004). In the wake of a negative life event, anger toward God predicted decreased belief in God’s existence.[http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2011/01/when-atheists-are-angry-at-god]

	As I see it, the [[Book of Job]] was written precisely to demolish the idea that innocent suffering is inconsistent with God's goodness.		As I see it, the [[Book of Job]] was written precisely to demolish the idea that innocent suffering is inconsistent with God's goodness.
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	::''What is lacking:'' although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that ~~Christâ€™s~~ atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of “messianic woes” to be endured before the end comes; cf. Mk 13:8, 19â€“20, 24 and the note on Mt 23:29â€“32. Others suggest that ~~Paulâ€™s~~ mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.<ref>[http://www.usccb.org/bible/col/1:24#59001024-2 Note on Col 1:24.]</ref>		::''What is lacking:'' although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that Christ’s atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of “messianic woes” to be endured before the end comes; cf. Mk 13:8, 19â€“20, 24 and the note on Mt 23:29â€“32. Others suggest that Paul’s mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.<ref>[http://www.usccb.org/bible/col/1:24#59001024-2 Note on Col 1:24.]</ref>

	:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112		:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112

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	::''What is lacking:'' although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that Christâ€™s atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of “messianic ~~woesâ€~~ to be endured before the end comes; cf. Mk 13:8, 19â€“20, 24 and the note on Mt 23:29â€“32. Others suggest that Paulâ€™s mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.<ref>[http://www.usccb.org/bible/col/1:24#59001024-2 Note on Col 1:24.]</ref>		::''What is lacking:'' although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that Christâ€™s atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of “messianic woes” to be endured before the end comes; cf. Mk 13:8, 19â€“20, 24 and the note on Mt 23:29â€“32. Others suggest that Paulâ€™s mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.<ref>[http://www.usccb.org/bible/col/1:24#59001024-2 Note on Col 1:24.]</ref>

	:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112		:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112

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	::''What is lacking:'' although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that Christâ€™s atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of ~~â€œmessianic~~ woesâ€ to be endured before the end comes; cf. Mk 13:8, 19â€“20, 24 and the note on Mt 23:29â€“32. Others suggest that Paulâ€™s mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.<ref>[http://www.usccb.org/bible/col/1:24#59001024-2 Note on Col 1:24.]</ref>		::''What is lacking:'' although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that Christâ€™s atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of “messianic woesâ€ to be endured before the end comes; cf. Mk 13:8, 19â€“20, 24 and the note on Mt 23:29â€“32. Others suggest that Paulâ€™s mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.<ref>[http://www.usccb.org/bible/col/1:24#59001024-2 Note on Col 1:24.]</ref>

	:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112		:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112

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	Harold S. Kushner wrote a bad book with a brilliant title: [http://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Happen-Good-People/dp/1400034728/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294764718&sr=1-1 ''When Bad Things Happen to Good People.'']		Harold S. Kushner wrote a bad book with a brilliant title: [http://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Happen-Good-People/dp/1400034728/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294764718&sr=1-1 ''When Bad Things Happen to Good People.'']

Mxmsj at 13:17, 27 March 2014

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	I blame God for the presence of evil in the universe. If it is not He who allows His creatures freedom to do evil, then who does? It is He who created a universe within which innocent children suffer, the good die young, and the evil get away with murder. And it is He who loved us so much that He gave His only-begotten son to be our savior, so that "whosoever believeth in Him may not die but may live forever" (Jn 3:16).		I blame God for the presence of evil in the universe. If it is not He who allows His creatures freedom to do evil, then who does? It is He who created a universe within which innocent children suffer, the good die young, and the evil get away with murder. And it is He who loved us so much that He gave His only-begotten son to be our savior, so that "whosoever believeth in Him may not die but may live forever" (Jn 3:16).

			Why does God allow us to suffer?

			Because He is love.

	== Why do innocent children suffer? ==		== Why do innocent children suffer? ==

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	Our sufferings are real. God does not heal everyone immediately.		Our sufferings are real. God does not heal everyone immediately.

			Our sufferings are salvific. Jesus extends His mercy through us, with us, and in us.

			The Body of Christ plus us is different from the Body of Christ without us. Jesus can't be me or you. Jesus can't suffer our sufferings. We have a unique gift to give--we ourselves ''are'' the gift! Each one of us is unique. We can say yes or no to being united to Jesus in His suffering on the Cross. The history of love is different when we and our sufferings are included. We have something of value to give to Jesus and to every member of the Body through our experiences of suffering.

	:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a5.htm#1508 CCC 1508]		:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a5.htm#1508 CCC 1508]

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	I blame God for the presence of evil in the universe. If it is not He who allows His creatures freedom to do evil, then who does? It is He who created a universe within which innocent children suffer, the good die young, and the evil get away with murder. And it is He who loved us so much that He gave His only-begotten son to be our savior, so that "whosoever believeth in Him may not die but may live forever" (Jn 3:16).		I blame God for the presence of evil in the universe. If it is not He who allows His creatures freedom to do evil, then who does? It is He who created a universe within which innocent children suffer, the good die young, and the evil get away with murder. And it is He who loved us so much that He gave His only-begotten son to be our savior, so that "whosoever believeth in Him may not die but may live forever" (Jn 3:16).

			== Why do innocent children suffer? ==
			Why do children suffer? Because God loves them. Because this is what is best for them and for all of us. How do we know this? By studying Jesus. He suffered innocently--unjustly. No sin on His part. He suffered for our sins.

			Primitive insight: life is good. Suffering is evil. Not fair for suffering to be inflicted on a good person for no reason. Where there is evil, there must be sin. Personal responsibility. Adam and Eve let hell loose on earth. We wouldn't experience this as evil if it weren't for the destruction of our relationship with God through Original Sin and the consequent darkness that surrounds us.

			The question causes me profound anxiety and distress. Birth defects, accidents, and physical or psychological damage done in childhood are serious evils and real tragedies. We see the evil clearly; we do not see God's response to the evil as clearly, except by developing the eyes of faith.

			God's answer to this question is the Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus.

			All innocent suffering will be rewarded, just as Jesus' innocent suffering on the Cross was rewarded by His resurrection and glorification at the right hand of the Father. God is love. He allows evil to befall us because He is love. Love, not evil, has the last word. Suffering and death will pass away; love remains. All of our tears will be kissed away, and all of our sorrow will be turned into joy. We say, "Lord, it would be better if these suffering children had never existed!" The Father replies, "My glorified children and I disagree. Wait a moment and you will see what great good I can bring out of evil."

	== Suffering with Jesus ==		== Suffering with Jesus ==

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This, too, shall pass

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	:: Î¸Îµá½¸Ï‚ Î³Î¬Ï á¼ÏƒÏ„Î¹Î½ á½ '''á¼Î½ÎµÏÎ³á¿¶Î½''' á¼Î½ á½‘Î¼á¿–Î½ ÎºÎ±á½¶ '''Ï„á½¸ Î¸ÎÎ»ÎµÎ¹Î½''' ÎºÎ±á½¶ '''Ï„á½¸ á¼Î½ÎµÏÎ³Îµá¿–Î½''' á½‘Ï€á½²Ï Ï„á¿†Ï‚ Îµá½Î´Î¿ÎºÎ¯Î±Ï‚.<ref>[http://biblehub.com/text/philippians/2-13.htm Interlinear translation.]</ref>		:: Î¸Îµá½¸Ï‚ Î³Î¬Ï á¼ÏƒÏ„Î¹Î½ á½ '''á¼Î½ÎµÏÎ³á¿¶Î½''' á¼Î½ á½‘Î¼á¿–Î½ ÎºÎ±á½¶ '''Ï„á½¸ Î¸ÎÎ»ÎµÎ¹Î½''' ÎºÎ±á½¶ '''Ï„á½¸ á¼Î½ÎµÏÎ³Îµá¿–Î½''' á½‘Ï€á½²Ï Ï„á¿†Ï‚ Îµá½Î´Î¿ÎºÎ¯Î±Ï‚.<ref>[http://biblehub.com/text/philippians/2-13.htm Interlinear translation.]</ref>

	:: For it is God who '''~~works~~''' in you both to '''will''' and to '''work''' as it pleases Him.		:: For it is God who is '''at work''' in you both to '''will''' and to '''work''' as it pleases Him.

	== References ==		== References ==

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	== Why do innocent children suffer? ==		== Why do innocent children suffer? ==
	Why do children suffer? Because God loves them. Because this is what is best for them and for all of us. How do we know this? By studying Jesus. He suffered innocently--unjustly. No sin on His part. He suffered for our sins.		Why do children suffer? Because God loves them. Because this is what is best for them and for all of us. How do we know this? By studying Jesus. He suffered innocently — unjustly. No sin on His part. He suffered for our sins.

	Primitive insight: life is good. Suffering is evil. Not fair for suffering to be inflicted on a good person for no reason. Where there is evil, there must be sin. Personal responsibility. Adam and Eve let hell loose on earth. We wouldn't experience this as evil if it weren't for the destruction of our relationship with God through Original Sin and the consequent darkness that surrounds us.		Primitive insight: life is good. Suffering is evil. Not fair for suffering to be inflicted on a good person for no reason. Where there is evil, there must be sin. Personal responsibility. Adam and Eve let hell loose on earth. We wouldn't experience this as evil if it weren't for the destruction of our relationship with God through Original Sin and the consequent darkness that surrounds us.
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	Our sufferings are salvific. Jesus extends His mercy through us, with us, and in us.		Our sufferings are salvific. Jesus extends His mercy through us, with us, and in us.

	The Body of Christ plus us is different from the Body of Christ without us. Jesus can't be me or you. Jesus can't suffer our sufferings. We have a unique gift to give--we ourselves ''are'' the gift! Each one of us is unique. We can say yes or no to being united to Jesus in His suffering on the Cross. The history of love is different when we and our sufferings are included. We have something of value to give to Jesus and to every member of the Body through our experiences of suffering.		The Body of Christ plus us is different from the Body of Christ without us. Jesus can't be me or you. Jesus can't suffer our sufferings. We have a unique gift to give — we ourselves ''are'' the gift! Each one of us is unique. We can say yes or no to being united to Jesus in His suffering on the Cross. The history of love is different when we and our sufferings are included. We have something of value to give to Jesus and to every member of the Body through our experiences of suffering.

	:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a5.htm#1508 CCC 1508]		:; [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a5.htm#1508 CCC 1508]
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	:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112		:; Frank Sheed, ''The Action of the Holy Spirit,'' pp. 111-112

	:: He ''suffered'', and Paul can say, "In my flesh I complete ''what is lacking'' in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church" (Colossians 1:24). It is a stunning phrase--something lacking in Christ's sufferings! In what he himself did, nothing is lacking. '''But God does not choose to do for men what they can do for themselves.''' We do not simply sit on the sidelines and watch Christ redeeming us. In the divine plan there is a value in suffering undergone by Christ's members in union with his. It is not an injunction to go and look for suffering; Christ did not; Paul did not. It means not shirking what we can and should be doing for him because of the sufferings it might bring us. At all times, we should want his work to be done in the way he sees best, not slowing it down by our own refusal to take any part in it.		:: He ''suffered'', and Paul can say, "In my flesh I complete ''what is lacking'' in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church" (Colossians 1:24). It is a stunning phrase — something lacking in Christ's sufferings! In what he himself did, nothing is lacking. '''But God does not choose to do for men what they can do for themselves.''' We do not simply sit on the sidelines and watch Christ redeeming us. In the divine plan there is a value in suffering undergone by Christ's members in union with his. It is not an injunction to go and look for suffering; Christ did not; Paul did not. It means not shirking what we can and should be doing for him because of the sufferings it might bring us. At all times, we should want his work to be done in the way he sees best, not slowing it down by our own refusal to take any part in it.

	:; τα υστερηματα		:; τα υστερηματα

	:: υστερημα: "a deficit; specially, poverty:--that which is behind, (that which was) lack(-ing), penury, want."<ref>[http://www.htmlbible.com/sacrednamebiblecom/kjvstrongs/STRGRK53.htm ''Strong's Concordance.'']</ref>		:: υστερημα: "a deficit; specially, poverty: — that which is behind, (that which was) lack(-ing), penury, want."<ref>[http://www.htmlbible.com/sacrednamebiblecom/kjvstrongs/STRGRK53.htm ''Strong's Concordance.'']</ref>

	== What if suffering were ruled out? ==		== What if suffering were ruled out? ==

Bad Things Happen to Good People - Revision history

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Mxmsj at 02:51, 14 November 2014

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