The Book of Job and the Problem of Suffering: An African Liberative Perspective (original) (raw)
Related papers
A brief exposition on the notions of Human Suffering, Theodicy and Theocracy in the Book of Job
Pharos Journal of Theology, 2022
It is suggested that in the face of malevolence, such as that faced by Job, God’s omnipotence and also His benevolence can be upheld. This article thus explores the notions of human suffering, theodicy and theocracy and how they are understood in the book of Job from an Old Testament perspective. The exegesis of the Book of Job has vexed people for epochs and it grasps the depths of human despair, the anger of moral outrage, and the anguish of a felt desertion by God on the part of the protagonist. From one man’s agony it reaches out to the mystery of God, beyond all words and explanations. The Scriptures including the book of Job has several distinct ways of reconciling human suffering with the justice of God. In the end, it is only God as King and Ruler, Himself who brings justice, victory and joy to the life of the suffering man. And when all is said and done, the mystery remains that God stands as King and Ruler revealed in His hiddenness, an object of terror, adoration and love...
This paper examines the phenomenon of suffering and pain using the experience of Job. It discusses why suffering and pain are a necessary part of life, and how the world cannot do without them. As uncomfortable as they may be Suffering and Pain appears to have been elected to be companions of man on his journey from birth to death. Critical in the discussion is the role God plays in the equation of suffering, and why he does that. The paper further looks at who the target of suffering is: is it the unrighteous or the righteous or both and for what reason? In this write-up, the purpose of suffering and pain in the world is identified together with who the sole beneficiaries are. The paper analyses the positive effects of suffering in the lives of some key personalities in the Bible and also in contemporary times. It finally encourages the need to embrace suffering when it comes and the resultant peace it brings.
Pastoral challenges experienced by the Biblical character Job and a brief 'Theology of Suffering
Pharos journal of theology, 2021
In this paper the researcher investigates the pastoral challenges experienced by the biblical character named Job. The main message of the book of Job is the theme of theodicy or why do bad things happen to good people. The central inquiry of theodicy is to clarify how an omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient God allows bad things to transpire in the world and this applies equally to those in anguish or to those observing suffering. In times of suffering, Jews and Christians alike may turn to the Book of Job where God permits Satan to test Job. Satan submits that Job would not adore God if God did not defend him. This research paper also sought to sight challenges encountered by Job with their description and analysis in the light of Job's faith in God. The research critiques the various pastoral care interventions offered to Job by different characters in this book of Job. Finally the researcher develops a theology of suffering and he focuses on this in the conclusion.
An Initial Approach Towards the Development of a Biblical Theology of Job's Sufferings
Never before in the history of the Western hemisphere has it been so easy to avoid suffering as today. Advances in the medical field as well as multiple ways for distraction are increasingly alienating people from a healthy attitude towards suffering. To some extent, this also applies to Christianity. The Bible, however, testifies to suffering from cover to cover. Next to the sufferings of Christ, the book of Job is a primary example of how God works in his creation through affliction. The purpose of this work is to develop a Reformed biblical theology of Job's sufferings to affirm that Christians should not regard affliction as an alien matter. In the stories of Joseph, Naomi and the Psalms, the sufferings of Job can be recognized as a unifying yet developing theme. That also applies to the New Testament, wherein the method of typology is used to demonstrate this.
The main issue of the book is the struggle over the Theodicy of why God allow suffering especially His justice when the godly suffer not from human hands but from the ‘acts of God’ Notwithstanding the book does not reveal all the answer to human sufferings which this essay will demonstrate. The essay will examine the authorship, date, style and a brief historic account of Job followed by critical discussion of God with reference to suffering.
The Book of Job and Our Human Suffering
2018
In this world, people suffer. It comes with the territory. You can wish that fact not true, but you cannot wish it away. People suffer." Posting about the universal experience of grief and pain from In All Things an online journal for critical reflection on faith, culture, art, and every ordinary-yet-graced square inch of God’s creation. https://inallthings.org/the-book-of-job-and-our-human-suffering/
Theodicy: Evil and Suffering in Relation to Job
Akampurira Andrew, 2024
It is a concern for many people both believers and non-believers to see righteous people suffering. One wonders why this loving father, omnipotent and Supreme Being (God) would allow innocent people to suffer. Job is one of the personalities in the Bible that suffered despite being righteous. God’s goodness and supremacy would prevent evil and suffering in the world ‘why could He bring suffering and evil into existence’; that is, God would have prevented suffering from His faithful creature Job. In this analysis we want to find out why innocent people suffer and even others die in distress. The presence of evil and suffering will lead us to examine the meaning of life and possibly our destiny. This presence of evil and suffering in the world could lead us to question the existence of God. In this paper Descartes’ views about error have been analyzed in details (as partly discussed and analyzed by Latzer and Ragland among others) so that they can help in explaining more the cause of error which sometimes leads to suffering.
Retribution or Reality: A Short Theological Introduction to the Book of Job
2023
The bool of Job is one of the greatest, if not the greatest literary accomplishment of the ancient world, yet in many ways it is just as relevant now as it was then. This textbook examines Job from a comparative theological perspective in order to help contemporary readers access it, learn from it, and apply its insights to modern life.