William Lane Craig on the Problem of Evil and Suffering

Mitchell

On April 4, 2009 William Lane Craig and Christopher Hitchens participated in a debate about the existence of God at Biola University. At the conclusion of the debate, students from Biola were allowed to ask questions of Dr Craig and Mr Hitchens. In this clip, Dr Craig and Mr Hitchens speak about the problem of evil and suffering in the world.

Dave_L

As long as we think God permits evil, we commit ourselves to providing another god who creates it.

C Mc

Mitchell,
One is most likely to ask what is suffering? From there What types are there? What the necessity of human sufferings?

Gautama Buddha stated, regarding the pervasiveness of suffering, "Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair are suffering. Union with what is displeasing is suffering, separation from what is pleasing is suffering, not to get what one wants is suffering." Do you agree?

The suffering most pronounced is the one around death. How do we deal with the impending reality? There are three types. For example:

1. Natural suffering results from natural disasters or losses of loved ones.
2. Developmental suffering is a part of existence as individuals grow and change, to individuation or becoming the unique self.
3. Neurotic suffering results from an undeveloped ego that cannot seem to cope with natural losses and becomes split, living in the past or in delusional actions.

Overcoming suffering as in the Dalai Lama’s comments is also of importance because it indicates that suffering is not a permanent state, but transformational. What they can accept and believe about suffering has a profound impact on one's dying experience.

Regardless, the Bible says, "...all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). God is the Great Equalizer and Rescuer from the situation or resurrection from death. Heaven has our back. "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished" (2 Peter 2:9). Live for Jesus! CM

Resources:

-- Dalai Lama. (1997). The four noble truths (G. T. Jinpa, Trans.). New York, NY: Harper Collins, 140

-- Harris, M., & Harris, B. (1996). Like gold through fire: Understanding the transforming
power of suffering. Skiatook, OK: Fisherking Press, 24