Is our pain God’s problem?
April 30, 2008 by Quester
Over on Beliefnet, there is a ‘blogalogue’ between Bart Ehrman and N. T. Wright about pain, suffering, and God. It is short and limited, apparently on purpose, but I found it worthwhile to read.
Many people have recommended Wright’s works for me. Others have recommended Ehrman’s recent book. I can relate strongly with Ehrman’s view, and what he says of his experiences. The amount of suffering in the world has been one of the major factors in my inability to continue believing in a God. After reading this exchange, I’m not confident reading Wright’s works will give me fresh insight into this issue.
Edit: I should mention that I found the above link while reading Kay’s blog while trying to find out what sort of person would put my confusion of anecdotes and musings on her blogroll.
5 Responses to “Is our pain God’s problem?”
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Hahaha. Don’t sell yourself short. I’ve enjoyed reading your anecdotes and musings very much so far! Blame zoe, I found you on her blogroll.
I ordered Ehrman’s book yesterday. I have his “Misquoting Jesus” which I really liked. And I have his Teaching Company series on Christianity, which is an eye opener. I’m excited to read this one as well. I’ve been meaning to pick it up for a while. The blogalogue just gave me a kick in the ass.
Oh sure, turn my back for one moment and I’m getting blamed!
I read the article as well and found it at Kay’s too. The discussion anymore seems to turn my stomach. I think I’ve been at this for too long now.
Did you read the comments there as well. Ugh. Nothing new, it just keeps turning and turning and oh my aching head and this aching merry-go-round. 
Kay,
You’re welcome to be here. I often post more for myself than any potential audience (as is probably apparent), but it interests me to see who might be reading what I have to say. When people follow me from de-con to learn more about me after reading my articles and responses there, it’s one thing, but when I look at my stats and see people have been emailing links to some of my articles, adding me to bloglines or blogrolls, or even (in one notable case) adding one of my stories to StumbleUpon, I really wonder about these mysterious people who are learning about me and leaving without saying anything.
I don’t think I’m going to get Ehrman’s book. It looks like I agree with much that he has to say. I may get some by N.T. Wright, though his comments on the blogologue turned me off. I occasionally enjoy reading stances other than the one I hold (which is how I came around to reading God is not Great and the God Delusion). But if you write any of your thoughts on Ehrman’s books, I’d be interested in reading those.
Zoe,
Someone needs to be held accountable for these things, and people are beginning to catch on when I say it’s all San Andreas’ fault.
I’m glad I read the articles, but I only read a couple of the comments. Sometimes, reading what people say, I get too depressed and pessimistic about humanity. I figured it was best not to read too many more of the comments before I began to take any of it too seriously.
It’s not the first time I’ve been at fault.