Does God care and feel our pain? The academicians are divided. Might there be a better question?

Academics square off

Classical theology asserts God’s impassibility.  To preserve God’s transcendence over creation, this viewpoint denies human suffering can affect God or cause him to suffer. This is the perspective of theologians throughout history. Greek philosophers claimed that a God who suffers is a weak God.

However, in the wake of two world wars and massive human suffering, some theologians such as Terence Fretheim and Jürgen Moltmann reversed directions. They began affirming God’s compassion causes him to be vulnerable and to suffer along with his creation. God’s people have found comfort in believing God feels our pain and is moved to care about our suffering.

These positions are built on deductions. Deductions can yield truth if the elements of the propositions are: accurately and absolutely known as well as in a valid logical relationship. Can humanity claim such certainty when it comes to God?

Might there be a better question?

By definition, God’s transcendence and whether or not he is emotionally moved by his creation lies beyond our experiences. Given that our experiences and imagination limit our understanding, might there be a better question whose answer is more accessible?

How does God want us to view him?

Scripture does portray our God as emotionally interacting with his creation. Yet, is this the final answer?

• “So God was grieved that He had made man on the earth” Genesis 6:6
• “Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease, for the virgin daughter of my people is shattered” Jeremiah 14:17
• “You provoked the LORD to wrath” Deuteronomy 9:8
• “The LORD was angry with Solomon” 1 Kings 11:9
• “In all their affliction he was afflicted … in his love and in his pity he redeemed them” Isaiah 63:9
• “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness” Romans 1:18
• “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit” Ephesians 4:30

While God is clearly portrayed as emotionally interacting with the world, opponents will argue these statements are anthropomorphic expressions. That is, God is being portrayed in human terms for our benefit. They would assert these texts do not describe God as he actually is.

However, whether these texts are anthropomorphic or not misses the point! If scripture is inspired, then such statements describe how God wants us to understand him.

Fully and accurately comprehending God’s nature would seem to be beyond our reach. Because of our limitations, philosophical conclusions are likewise limited. Yet, God has portrayed himself through scripture. This portrayal reveals a God who cares and suffers with us.

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Barry Newton

Barry has worked with congregations in Texas, California and Brazil. He and his wife Sofia have two sons. He believes we should love God above all and that to honor this principle will shape daily decisions and silence competing values. Furthermore, we ought to love people in those ways we would like to be treated.

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