PRESENTATION 19 GUIDE WHY WOULD AN ALL-LOVING GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? From content by: Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S. J., Ph.D.

Transcription

1 CC PRESENTATION 19 GUIDE CREDIBLE CATHOLIC WHY WOULD AN ALL-LOVING GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? From content by: Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S. J., Ph.D. Adapted by: Claude R. LeBlanc, M.A. 1 Magis Center 2017

2 Welcome to CREDIBLE CATHOLIC! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? It is unbelief and skepticism. In our culture, derision of religion, God, the soul, Jesus, and the prospect of finding spiritual meaning in suffering, are not only tolerated but preached and sometimes even celebrated. Many are already infected by the faulty messages which are delivered in four popular, but inaccurate, secular myths. These myths, in one form or another, are the following: Myth 1: Science and faith are incompatible, and since science is true, it has replaced religion. Myth 2: Human beings are like every other animal merely a complex of atoms and molecules. We have no soul, no eternal destiny, and no transcendent nature. When we die, we die. Myth 3: There is no explanation for why an all-loving God would allow suffering. Therefore, suffering is fundamentally negative and a loving God probably does not exist. Myth 4: There is no evidence for Jesus as an historical figure, and therefore his resurrection or divinity. If Jesus did exist he was just an interesting prophet, but not a Savior or the Son of God. The 2016 Pew Research Center s Religious Landscape Study indicates that over 40% of millennials have abandoned their faith to unbelief because these four challenges have not been adequately addressed. Unless we specifically and effectively address these challenges to faith, the percentage will continue to grow. What can be done? WHAT IS OUR SOLUTION? Credible Catholic, a Magis Center curriculum correlated to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, was specifically created to address these myths. TABLE OF CONTENTS Presentation 19: WHY WOULD AN ALL-LOVING GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? Presentation Notes. 6 Activities Handout.. 19 Magis Center

3 CREDIBLE CATHOLIC PRESENTATION 19 GUIDE WHY WOULD AN ALL-LOVING GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? From content by: Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S. J., Ph.D. Adapted by Claude R. LeBlanc, M.A. Magis Center Chapman Ave. Christ Cathedral Tower of Hope, 9 th Floor Garden Grove, CA Magis Center Magis Center 2017

4 CC Presentation 19: Why Would an All-loving God Allow PRESENTATION NOTES 4. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 1. Presentation 19 Title Slide 2. Presentation 19 Copyright Slide 5. In St. Paul s 1st Letter to the Corinthians (15:12-14) he writes: If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then empty [too] is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. 3. Opening Prayer 6. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering Magis Center

5 7. Because of God s unconditional love, He does everything possible for us. Perfect love never ends, and so, God s plan is our union with Him for eternity. 10. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 8. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 11. VIDEO 1: God s Purpose for Suffering. Joni Eareckson Tada is an evangelical Christian, author, radio host, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community. " 9. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 12. While individual answers may vary, it appears obvious that while God could have prevented suffering, no one escapes it. This leaves us with the conclusion that suffering is permitted by God to allow us to play a role in His work of salvation (as part of the Body of Christ). 5 Magis Center 2017

6 13. God allowed His only begotten Son to suffer for our benefit; why wouldn t He allow it for us if it contributes to the same benefit? There is no greater benefit for us than eternal life. 16. As demonstrated in Presention 1, NDEs typically involve encountering another world of peace and love without suffering or pain. This should provide comfort that our earthly suffering is limited. 14. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 17. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Read Matthew 5:1-12 and identify those in our world today who are poor in spirit mourn are meek hunger and thirst for righteousness are merciful are clean of heart are peacemakers (or) are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Describe what their absence of suffering in eternity may be like. 15. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 18. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering Magis Center

7 19. VIDEO 2: The Prodigal Son. A further question this parable invokes is asking, which of the sons am I most like? Then, putting oneself in the story and reflecting on God s response. 22. For more information read: Free Will, Conscience and Moral Choice: What Catholics Believe by Archbishop George H. Niederauer at: This is much more common than most Christians are aware, and is the main reason given by atheists for their unbelief. God is wrongly viewed by them as not caring because He doesn t prevent suffering. 23. More information can be found at: CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 24. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 7 Magis Center 2017

8 25. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 28. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 26. CHAPTER 1: 3 Christian Ideas about Suffering 29. Imagine what would happen if there were no suffering in the world. How would we relate to God and to one another? 27. It is natural to ask this question, but it presupposes that we could know the answer. To presuppose this is to assert that we could know God, the Creator and sustainer of the Universe, well and completely enough to understand His purposes and ways, which is arrogant. 30. ACTIVITY 2: What would You Change if You Were God for a Day? Thinking that something is wrong with the world doesn t mean that it is. Approaching these questions with humility gives us a perspective that allows for the possiblity that we may be wrong. Ultimately, say that we would change something in it is to second-guess God. Magis Center

9 31. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 34. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 32. VIDEO 3: Why Did God Make the World the Way He Did? Another way to think about this question is realizing that there are only four things God could have done: 1) not created anything, 2) created a world where we only choose good, 3) created a world where everything is called good, and 4) created the world He did. Which would you rather live in? 35. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 36. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 33. See Matthew 13: Magis Center 2017

10 37. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 40. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 38. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 41. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 39. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 42. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow Magis Center

11 43. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 46. VIDEO 4: Redemptive Suffering. More information can be found at: At the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked that the cup (of suffering) might pass from Him. He was not willing suffering on Himself unless it was necessary for the salvation of all. (See Mt. 26:39.) 47. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? 48. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? 45. CHAPTER 2: Why Would an All-loving God Allow 11 Magis Center 2017

12 49. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? 52. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? 50. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? 53. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? 51. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? 54. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? Magis Center

13 55. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? More information on Christian resignation can be found at: ment.pdf 58. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 59. VIDEO 5: The Allegory of the Long Spoons. What would NOT have happened without the suffering? 56. CHAPTER 3: What to do when Suffering Comes? 60. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 57. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 13 Magis Center 2017

14 61. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 64. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 62. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 65. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 63. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering. More information about agapē love can be found at: CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering. Acclaimed as a Canadian who inspires the world (Maclean's Magazine) and a nation builder (The Globe and Mail), Jean Vanier is the founder of the international movement of L'Arche communities, where people who have developmental disabilities and the friends who assist them create homes and share life together. More information can be found at: Magis Center

15 67. VIDEO 6: Jean Vanier and Agapē Love 70. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 68. ACTIVITY 3: Understanding and Living Agapē Love 71. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 69. ACTIVITY 3: Understanding and Living Agapē Love 72. CHAPTER 4: The Opportunities of Suffering 15 Magis Center 2017

16 73. CHAPTER 5: Self-Offering for the Kingdom 76. Presentation 19 Additional Resources Slide 75. CHAPTER 5: Self-Offering for the Kingdom 75. Closing Prayer 77. Credits Slide Magis Center

17 Name: Period: Date: CREDIBLE CATHOLIC Presentation 19 ACTIVITIES Why Would an All-loving God Allow ACTIVITY #1: Understanding God s Purpose in Suffering PART ONE: In the video you just watched, we heard quadriplegic Joni Eareckson Tada say: God is the one who has wired the world to be so difficult and He writes suffering into the script of our lives. REFLECT, then DISCUSS: 1. Do you agree with her? Has God intended that suffering be a mandatory part of our lives? 2. Why would God do this? PART TWO: She went on to say: God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves. Why? Because He desires salvation for a world of sinners. REFLECT, then DISCUSS: 1. Do you agree with her? Does God desire our salvation so much that He allows suffering? 2. Is salvation worth all the suffering there is? OPTIONAL ACTIVITY (for Slide 17) Read Matthew 5:1-12 and identify those in our world today who are poor in spirit mourn are meek hunger and thirst for righteousness are merciful are clean of heart are peacemakers (or) are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Describe what their absence of suffering in eternity may be like. 17 Magis Center 2017

18 CC P19 ACTIVITIES continued, pg. 2 ACTIVITY #2: What Would You Change if You Were God for a Day? If possible, gather into small groups and discuss the following questions: 1) What would you change about the world if you were God? 2) What s wrong with the world the way it is? Why do you think your change be an improvement? 3) What does your change say about God and His world? ACTIVITY #3: Understanding and Living Agapē Love PART ONE: Jean Vanier said: We re in a culture where power, beauty, and capacity have value, and those who are less capable or apparently have less gifts should be got rid of because I have to be more powerful than my neighbor. REFLECTION: In your experience, is Vanier s statement true? If so, how? If not, why not? Give examples. PART TWO: Vanier continued: The question will always be how to lose power. Spirituality is about getting close to people who have been rejected There s only one thing that really matters, (answering the question) Do you love me as I am? REFLECTION: Is your spirituality like this? What needs to change, or what do you need to do to make it reflect agape love? Give examples. Magis Center

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20 CC P2 PRESENTATION GUIDE What is CREDIBLE CATHOLIC? CREDIBLE CATHOLIC is a Magis Center 20-module curriculum designed to confront the secular and anti-religious challenges of our culture head on. It is correlated to the four parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as follows: Part One (Catechism of the Catholic Church - CCC): The Profession of Faith CC1 Scientific Evidence and Philosophical Proof of God s Existence CC2 Medical Evidence and Philosophical Proof of a Soul CC3 Proof of Jesus Resurrection and Divinity CC4 The Significance of Jesus Life and Teachings CC5 The Trinity, Incarnation, and the Last Things Part Two (From the CCC): The Celebration of the Christian Mystery CC6 Why Be Catholic? CC7 The Inspiration and Canonicity of the Old Testament CC8 Jesus and the New Testament CC9 The Sacraments, Part 1 The Sacred Eucharistic Liturgy CC10 The Sacraments, Part 2 Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick CC11 The Sacraments, Part 3 Marriage CC12 Sacramentals, Devotions, and Traditions Part Three (From the CCC): Life in Christ CC13 True Happiness CC14 Suffering, Spiritual Evil, and Jesus' Defeat of Satan CC15 The Seven Deadly Sins CC16 Contending with Evil Through Virtue and Prayer CC17 Personal Ethics and Social Ethics Part Four (From the CCC): Christian Prayer CC18 Relationship with Christ and Spontaneous Prayers CC19 Why Would an All-loving God Allow CC20 Examen, Discernment, and Contemplation CREDIBLE CATHOLIC modules contain the following products: 1. Presentation - slide presentations with optional voiceovers, 2. Presentation Guide - Adds information, activities and quizzes, 3. Little Book - A summary of the Big Book and the primary source for the Presentation, 4. Big Book - 1,500+ pages in 20 volumes, the foundation of the Credible Catholic Modules. At crediblecatholic.com, everything is free online and printed materials may be purchased Magis Center