Continuing with “Apologetics Month”, we turn to what is probably the most powerful argument in favour of atheism, what Lewis called “The Problem of Pain”. David interviews Oxford Professor, Dr. Bethany N. Sollereder about her book, “Why is there suffering?”
S5E41: “Why is there suffering?” – After Hours with Dr. Bethany Sollereder (Download)
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Show Notes
Introduction
Quote-of-the-week
…pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
Biographical Information
Dr. Bethany Sollereder received her PhD in Theology from the University of Exeter and an MCS in interdisciplinary studies from Regent College, Vancouver. She is a Research Fellow at the Laudato Si’ Research Institute at Campion Hall, at the University of Oxford. She specializes in theology concerning evolution and the problem of suffering and is currently working on the theological aspects of our changing climate.
Bethany also lived at “The Kilns” for several years as a Scholar-In-Residence.
She is the author of “God, Evolution, and Animal Suffering: Theodicy Without a Fall” and last year she published her book “Why is there suffering? Pick your own theological expedition”
Biographical Information for Dr. Bethany Sollereder
Chit-Chat
David had first heard about Dr. Sollereder through the C.S. Lewis Foundation. He had intened to watch her talk about suffering, but ended up being unable to watch it as he was vomiting as a result of a stomach bug!
Beverage and Toast
- David was drinking …
- Dr. Sollereder was drinking…
- They toasted Patreon supporter, Amanda Salz:
Amanda, when St. Paul prayed that his “thorn in the flesh” be removed, Jesus replied that his grace would be sufficient, so we pray that Christ’s abundant grace would be with you in all your joys and trials.
Patreon Toast
Discussion
1. “Background”
- Please tell us about your background and your spiritual journey and the role which Lewis played in that journey.
2. “The Problem of Pain”
- What is it about suffering which causes difficulties when we’re talking about God?
3. “Lewis and Suffering”
- What do you make of Lewis’ different works on the subject of suffering, The Problem of Pain and A Grief Observed?
4. “Jack’s Theodicies”
- How have Christians responded to the question of suffering in general, and what does Lewis particularly focus upon?
5. “The ‘gift’ of pain”
- In what ways can pain actually be seen as a gift?
6. “The ’cause’ of pain”
- What do we mean when we talk about the “cause” of pain? This would very much depend upon one’s theological world view relating to free will and determinism.
7. “Animal Suffering”
- Lewis was always particularly sensitive to the subject of animal suffering, and you’ve done some work on that as well, haven’t you?
8. “Choose your own adventure”
- With that as our background, let’s turn to your book. You have a unique approach to the material. Would you please tell us about it?
The Way of the Tiger choose-your-own-adventure book
9. “The Atheist Option”
- At the beginning of the episode, I said that the problem of evil is really the best argument for atheism, and you do consider this option in your book, and I heard that you had one of the New Atheists proof that section, is that right?
10. “Steel-manning the options”
- Why are some Christian options here harder?
11. “Are we purely rational creatures?”
- How do we rationalize our instincts?
12. “Theory and Practice”
- How do we connect the theodicies we’ve spoken about today to our lived experience of suffering? What do we do when we encounter someone who’s in the midst of suffering? Can we be something better than the comforters of Job?
13. “The Patience of Job”
- Did Job suffer well?
