How Can God Allow Suffering?

Mark 14:32-42 Mark Meynell (All Souls Langham Place) 20 Oct 2013

How can God allow Suffering?! ! ! (Mark 14:32-42)

1. The Problem With God 2. The Horror of Gethsemane

The Biblical Revelation of God God is Wise God is Good God is Powerful

How can God allow Suffering?! ! ! (Mark 14:32-42)

1. The Problem With God 2. The Horror of Gethsemane

JESUS: Traumatised (14:33-34) Terrorised (14:35) Deserted (14:37-38) Betrayed (14:42) Arrested & Executed (Mk 14-15)
Western Secular Mindset Avoidance of Suffering

Eastern Mystical Mindset Denial of Suffering

In a universe of blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to get lucky, and you won't nd any rhyme or reason in it, nor any justice. The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is at the bottom no design, no purpose, no evil, and no good; nothing but blind, pitiless indifference. DNA neither knows nor cares. DNA just is, and we dance to its music.

How can God allow Suffering?! ! ! (Mark 14:32-42)

1. The Problem With God 2. The Horror of Gethsemane

JESUS: Traumatised (14:33-34) Terrorised (14:35) Deserted (14:37-38) Betrayed (14:42) Arrested & Executed (Mk 14-15)
Western Secular Mindset Avoidance of Suffering Christian Mindset Defeat of Suffering

Eastern Mystical Mindset Denial of Suffering

Who has ever demonstrated such love? Who would ever have solved the enigma of justice and mercy?

GOD IS GOOD! GOD IS WISE!

GOD IS Who could ever have orchestrated all this? POWERFUL!

How can God allow Suffering?! ! ! (Mark 14:32-42)

1. The Problem With God 2. The Horror of Gethsemane 3. The Hope in Suffering
Divine Experience of Suffering Divine Redemption of Suffering Divine Defeat of Suffering Suffering is not an illusion Suffering does not have to be meaningless Suffering does not need have the last word