Summary: The Problem Of Pain By C. S. Lewis
In his book, The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis attempts to answer the age-old question, “If there is a God, why is there so much pain and suffering in the world?” This is a question which atheists have used as evidence for their contention that God does not exist. Lewis argues that pain is not a sufficient reason to discontinue believing in an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent God. Lewis recognizes that pain occurs when it is manifested in wicked souls who use their will to harm others. He seeks to understand the purpose behind both moral and natural evils. Why does God let humans harm one another and why does He allow natural disasters to happen? Lewis devotes Chapter six, entitled “Human Pain,” as a theodicy in answering the question, …show more content…
Lewis claims that pain is necessary as a part of our call to surrender to God and His will. He then proceeds to give three contentions for his claim that suffering aids in the process of mortification. The first contention is that pain is an instrument God may employ to call mankind to sanctification. When mankind becomes so comfortable in their own life, it may require a shout from God rather than a soft whisper. The second contention is that pain shatters the illusion of self-sufficiency. Sometimes, Lewis observes, Christians become so comfortable in their lives that they treat God much like a pilot treats his parachute. The parachute is available for emergencies, but the pilot hopes he will never have to use it. If one is in control of their own life, they will not surrender themselves to God. Individuals must be reminded that their respective lives are not their own. Their illusion of self-sufficiency must be shattered. The third contention is this: pain refines one’s motives for surrendering to God. For an individual to determine if they are following God, their actions must operate contrary to their natural inclinations. Surrender would not be termed surrender if it only meant requiring one to do what one already was inclined to do. Pain helps a person see if they are purely acting out of obedience in their
Human Spirit In Night By Elie Wiesel
855 Words | 4 PagesHe wants to see whether we are capable of overcoming our base instincts... We have no right to despair. And if He punishes us mercilessly, it is a sign that He loves us that much more…” (Wiesel 45) Akiba Drumer’s unshakable faith in God undoubtedly shows the toughness of the human spirit.
The USS Congress, Cumberland
659 Words | 3 PagesThe USS Congress, Cumberland, Minnesota, and the Monitor all battle it out overseas with the CSS Merrimack and Beaufort. Each ship only has only one goal in mind, to send the other ship and all of their crew down to their watery graves. In this seemingly endless battle the question on everyone’s mind is: does suffering come from God, as a form of punishment or testing, or does it arise from and within man, when man tires to be like God? Afloat in Virginia, upon the USS Congress everything is still and quiet. The crew is talking about their surroundings, talking about the sweet breeze and looking at the stars above.
Similarities Between Antigone And Letter From Birmingham Jail
1065 Words | 5 PagesEveryone has experienced pain, but we all deal with it differently. Some people try to avoid experiencing pain, for they are scared; while others accept their punishment and agony. Moral people tolerate their pain and trauma by making their traumatic experience meaningful and important. They learn from their punishment and try to provide insight. In the stories of Antigone and Boycott, Letter From Birmingham Jail, righteous people fought for their beliefs without violence and dealt with their suffering without hesitation.
Examples Of Faith In Night By Elie Wiesel
948 Words | 4 PagesHis struggles became particularly evident when he witnessed the hanging of the pipel, what he saw that day rattled his faith to its core. Subsequently, he felt abandoned by his God, “What does Your grandeur mean, Master of the Universe, in the face of all this cowardice, this decay, and this misery?”(p.66), “Blessed be God’s name? Why, but why would I bless Him?” (p.67). Furthermore, he wondered why God would allow such suffering and remained silent in the face of evil.
The Cross And The Lynching Tree Chapter Summary
720 Words | 3 PagesAnd if God is God, why is He letting us suffer?” (1) The lifelong quest for answers to these questions shaped his theology
The Weight Of Glory Lewis Analysis
458 Words | 2 PagesDebate According to the dictionary a pacifist is a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable. C.S. Lewis claimed not to be one in The Weight of Glory. He said that "The main contention urged as fact by Pacifists Lewis claimed that humans decide what is good and what is evil by their conscience. But, he argued that a person's conscience can be modified by argument.
Analysis Of St. John Paul's Fides Et Ratio
1522 Words | 7 PagesThe ultimate answers to man's questions about pain, suffering of the innocent, and death are found in Christ's Passion, Death and Resurrection (n. 12). The truth communicated by Christ is the absolutely valid source of the meaning of human life (n. 12). All human creatures, not just philosophers, have the right to receive the truth about their existence and destiny (n. 38). By the revelation of Jesus, God the Father has made the truth available to every man and woman. Jesus Christ is not only the revelation of God to man, he is also the revelation of man to himself.
Summary Of Peter Berger's The Sacred Canopy
717 Words | 3 PagesIt is a convenient and comforting respond to unfortunate and even devastating ‘fate’. The pain becomes bearable to those who suffer because it is all part of a bigger plan, it is more than ‘you’. This concept is also built upon an irrational fundamental attitude, “the surrender of self to the ordering power of society.” (54) The problem of theodicy does not end at that.
The Mexican Fly Boy Suffering Analysis
871 Words | 4 PagesThroughout humanity, the idea of suffering played a major role in human lives, in some cases by ending it. Nevertheless, according to popular religious traditions, the first humans, Adam and Eve, were placed on Earth to suffer for their sins in a life of misery. All humans are a part of this “original sin,” thus there is no such thing as innocent humans suffering in the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Popular religious themes are centered on the idea of continual suffering in life, like the Israelites who continued to suffer through the Holocaust.
The Golden Carp In Bless Me, Ultima
706 Words | 3 PagesDue to this uncertainty, the torture of pain was more than he could
Essay On Screwtape Letter
1186 Words | 5 Pages“We want cattle who can finally become food; He wants servants who can finally become sons. We want to suck in, He wants to give out. We are empty and would be filled; He is full and flows over. "-ScrewTape. In this quote, God, who Lewis names the The Enemy is characterized as a selfless, giving father.
What Are The Gods's Role In The Oresteia
672 Words | 3 PagesPain both ways and what is worse? ( 203, 210-211 p 59). Iphigenia’s sacrifice God’s grasp prevailing over
The Importance Of Spirituality In Nursing
942 Words | 4 PagesQuestion 1: The term “anonymous minister” means that there is an unspoken and close connection between nursing and spirituality. Among all the nurses interviewed, many of them saw their professions as a calling from a higher power. For example on page 78, Catherine who has been a nurse for 25 years states” I see nursing as a spiritual vocation. It is much more than work; I find it a way of serving”.
Analytical Essay: The Book Of Job
1033 Words | 5 PagesAs these rabbis debated about whether God is innocent or guilty, they referenced a number of scriptural passages that relate to the people of ancient Israel and their experience of suffering. Their debate presented clearly the questions that human beings have raised for centuries: “If God is good, why does evil exist?” “Why do good people suffer?” “Why does God allow the suffering that people experience?” “Has God forgotten us?”
Buddhism Has Its Roots In The Brahman Hindu Tradition
810 Words | 4 PagesSecond, the cause of suffering is grasping and the Sanskrit here is trishna, which is the root of the word thirst (Gach, 2009). Thirst in the sense of craving or longing meaning having that feeling of desiring something. It can seem unquenchable at times and sometimes it is hard to let it go. Third, is noticing the needlessness of human suffering. Again, this is the idea of pain being inevitable and suffering being an option.
More about Summary: The Problem Of Pain By C. S. Lewis
Human Spirit In Night By Elie Wiesel
855 Words | 4 PagesThe USS Congress, Cumberland
659 Words | 3 PagesSimilarities Between Antigone And Letter From Birmingham Jail
1065 Words | 5 PagesExamples Of Faith In Night By Elie Wiesel
948 Words | 4 PagesThe Cross And The Lynching Tree Chapter Summary
720 Words | 3 PagesThe Weight Of Glory Lewis Analysis
458 Words | 2 PagesAnalysis Of St. John Paul's Fides Et Ratio
1522 Words | 7 PagesSummary Of Peter Berger's The Sacred Canopy
717 Words | 3 PagesThe Mexican Fly Boy Suffering Analysis
871 Words | 4 PagesThe Golden Carp In Bless Me, Ultima
706 Words | 3 PagesEssay On Screwtape Letter
1186 Words | 5 PagesWhat Are The Gods's Role In The Oresteia
672 Words | 3 PagesThe Importance Of Spirituality In Nursing
942 Words | 4 PagesAnalytical Essay: The Book Of Job
1033 Words | 5 PagesBuddhism Has Its Roots In The Brahman Hindu Tradition
810 Words | 4 Pages