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| Q: | I am studying Ferhard forde's book "on being a theologian of the cross," and think I am at least beginning to understand the Heidelberg Disputation with the help of this book. if I understand correctly, God does alien works that bring us low to later exalt, and suffering can be part of this. in the end suffering can draw us closer to Him. So it must be true that God allows suffering, maybe even causing it to happen, if I understand Forde correctly on thesis 21. I do not have a problem with that, for He is God and can do what He will whether or not I think it is good. So if I accept that premise, and if it is a correct premise, then God must have a purpose or will for the cause of suffering to exist. In circumstances where suffering exists, be it from disease or affliction, war, natural disaster, etc. to me that must be God's will. If so then how can I justifiably pray that He ameliorate these circumstances for myself or others? after all, we pray "Thy will be done." In answer to question #5, you quote 1 john 4:14-15, which should be chapt 5 instead, and it specifies 'according to His will'. who then am I to petition Him to alter his will just because I or someone else is suffering? Or is it presumptuous of me to try to reason as I have done what God's will is? I have read what the Bible says about prayer but am interested in what luther or the lutheran confessions say about our prayer vis a vis God's will. can you direct me there or to a Web source with a concordance? Also if you see that I am way off base in my thinking here, please feel free to enlighten me or point me in another direction. fiedler | ||||||
| A: | It is always against God's will when anyone sins and unjustly causes others to suffer. They bear the responsibility for their sin. God, however, permits such sin and suffering and turns it to good for those who love him (Read Romans 8). For example, Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery for evil reasons, but God brought about good out of it when Joseph became a ruler who could save his people. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem for his own selfish purposes but at the same time God's purpose in bringing judgment on Israel was fulfilled. Jesus' death brought about the greatest good for the world but that does not excuse the evil of those who sent him to his death. Suffering is not a means of grace in the strict sense because it does not increase our faith directly. Only the gospel does that. If we accept and understand suffering properly, it may lead us to depend more fully on God's gospel grace. Read what Paul has to say in 2 Corinthians 12. Read also Hebrews 12. We can pray that God relieve us from some suffering or for a longer life or to depart from this life, but we pray as Jesus did, "Your will be done." But remember that Jesus first prayed, "Let this cup pass from me." Paul prayed that his thorn in the flesh would be removed (2 Cor 12). As Paul's life was coming to an end (Philippians 1), his fellow Christians were praying for his release from prison in Rome. Paul thought he should remain in this world a while longer although his personal preference was to depart and to be with the Lord. He saw both as good alternatives. These and many other similar occurrences make it very clear that we can pray for relief from suffering, even while we remain willing to endure it if God sees that it will be for our good and the good of his kingdom. The Lutheran Confessions say relatively little about this because it was not a disputed issue between Lutherans and Catholics. The sections on prayer in most Lutheran doctrine books will deal with this. There is a volume on prayer in the People's Bible Teaching series from Northwestern Publishing House. | ||||||
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