Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Is suffering God's design?

Still reading through "Don't Waste Your Life" now and again when I can take it. This is where I start to remember why I rarely read a John Piper book. One of the places we part ways is when he speaks of suffering. But that's just a result of his larger system. Or what some (ironically) call the "doctrines of grace."

He says this of suffering:
"Suffering is God's design in this sin-soaked world. It portrays sin's horror for the world to see. It punishes sin's guilt for those who do not believe in Christ. It breaks sin's power for those who take up their cross and follow Jesus. And because sin is the belittling of the all-satisfying glory of God, the suffering that breaks its power is a severe mercy."

Suffering is God's design? Really? You sure it's not a result of our rebellion and part of the curse that we experience as a result of our sin as Genesis tells us? God's design? I'll let him be the one to tell that to the people of Haiti right now.

No comments: