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Conceptualizing God's Goodness in the Face of Suffering

Conceptualizing God's Goodness in the Face of Suffering

The biblical concept of God's goodness is intricately linked with the understanding of His character, particularly in relation to His creatures and their experiences, including suffering. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's goodness is "a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations" [4]. This definition underscores the multifaceted nature of God's goodness, which encompasses benevolence, mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience.

The biblical text frequently describes God's goodness using various adjectives such as "great," "excellent," "marvellous," and "everlasting" [3]. For instance, Psalm 36:7 praises God's "excellent" goodness, while Isaiah 54:8 speaks of His "everlasting" kindness. These descriptions highlight the depth and breadth of God's goodness, emphasizing its enduring and superior nature.

In the face of suffering, the concept of God's goodness can be challenging to comprehend. The biblical narrative acknowledges this difficulty, particularly in the book of Job. Job's experience of unjust suffering prompts questions about God's justice and goodness. One interpretation is that God's goodness is not necessarily about preventing suffering but about being present and delivering the afflicted in their distress [10]. John Gill's commentary on Job 36:15 notes that God delivers the poor "in their affliction" by supporting them and granting them comfort.

The New Testament continues this theme, with 1 Peter 2:19 commending those who endure pain and suffering unjustly "because of conscience toward God" [1, 2]. This passage suggests that suffering can be a context in which God's goodness is experienced, not necessarily in the removal of the suffering but in the presence of God amidst it.

The relationship between God's goodness and human suffering is further nuanced by the concept of God's long-suffering patience. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's long-suffering is "part of his character" and is exercised towards both the righteous and the wicked [5]. This patience is not indifference but a manifestation of God's goodness, as it provides opportunity for repentance and salvation.

Different Christian traditions interpret the relationship between God's goodness and suffering in various ways. Eastern Orthodox thought, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the importance of understanding God's character in the context of scripture and tradition [8]. Protestant academic interpretations, such as those found in the Tyndale House commentaries, highlight the role of faith and the importance of responding to suffering in a manner consistent with Jesus' teachings [6, 7].

Ultimately, conceptualizing God's goodness in the face of suffering requires a nuanced understanding that incorporates the complexities of biblical teaching and the diversity of Christian tradition. It involves recognizing God's presence and deliverance in the midst of affliction, as well as His long-suffering patience that seeks the salvation of all.

The biblical Psalms often express a deep trust in God's goodness despite experiences of suffering and adversity. Psalm 71:19, for example, confesses faith in God's ability to transform misery into abundant life [9]. This trust is grounded in the understanding of God's character as revealed throughout scripture, emphasizing His benevolence, mercy, and compassion.

Sources

  1. 1 Peter “For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. -- 1 Peter 2:19”
  2. I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (BSB) — For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  6. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:14: 2:14 to punish those who do wrong and honor those who do right: Cp. Rom 13:3-4.”
  7. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
  8. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: 13:17 13:23 James 1:6 2:13 2:19 2:26 3:11 4:3 1 Peter 1:3 1:12 2:13 2:21 2:21 2:22 2:22 2:22 5:5 5:8 5:8 5:8 2 Peter 2:4 3:13 1 John 2:9 3:2 3:8 4:8 Revelation 1 1:4 1:9 1:11 1:16 1:20 2 3 3:12 14:1 14:4 14:13 15:6 20:9 22:16 Tobit 12:9 Wisdom of Solomon 1:4 1:14 11:23 11:24 14:16 Sirach 2:2 2:2 2:4 2:10 2:11 2:27 3:10-12 3:11 5:6 6:14 6:16 6:34 7:6 7:31 9:13 9:15 10:9 10:12-13 11:1 11:2 11:3 11:3 11:4 11:15 11:28 12:13 13:15 14:9 15:9 16:3 18:13 18:13 19:14-15 20:20 21:2 22:21-22 23:17 23:17 25:1 25:1 25:11 26:27 28:6 31:1 32:10”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 71:19: 71:19-21 God’s righteous character provides encouragement and strength in the midst of suffering. The wounded psalmist confesses faith in God’s ability to transform his misery and weakness into abundant life.”
  10. Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 36:15: He delivereth the poor in his affliction,.... The righteous or godly poor; who are not only poor in worldly things, but poor in spirit; who are humbled, brought low, and made contrite, through the afflicting hand of God: these, though the Lord does sooner or later deliver "out" of their afflictions, yet that is not intended here, but a deliverance "in" them; which is done by supporting them under them, by supplying them with his grace to bear them patiently, by granting them his gracious presence for their comfort in them, by stilling the enemy and the avenger, keeping ”
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