Swinburne: suffering in the world

Wednesday, September 7, 2011
    Commemoration of Douglas Downes, Founder of the Society of Saint Francis, 1957
Meditation:
Though [the Lord] brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to the children of men.
    —Lamentations 3:32-33 (NIV)
Quotation:
    If God made a world without suffering, it would be a world in which humans had little responsibility for each other and for other creatures. Seeing that that alternative is not obviously better than the present world led me to see something about goodness—that there is more to it than tingles of pleasure—and about God—that his goodness is shown in the freedom and responsibility he gives to his creatures.
    ... Richard G. Swinburne (b. 1934), Philosophers Who Believe, Kelly James Clark, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 1993, p. 200 (see the book)
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, with affliction, You have brought healing and peace. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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